Panthers outlast MacMurray for third straight win
Oct. 4, 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - LaGrange College improved to 2-0 in the SLIAC with a 49-30 win over MacMurray College on Saturday at Freesen Field. It was the third straight win for the Panthers, now 4-1. The Highlanders dropped to 0-2 in the SLIAC and 1-4 overall.

The road game was the Panthers' fourth in five games this season. The Panthers will play four of their final five games at Callaway Stadium, beginning next Saturday against Greenville in a SLIAC game.

"We were not real sharp today but happy to get out of here with a win," Head coach Todd Mooney said. "We are just excited to be 4-1 and coming home after being on the road four of the first five games."

The Panthers built a 30-10 lead at halftime and substituted freely in the second half. The Panthers' offense did not score in the second half, as the defense and special teams accounted for all of the scoring.

MacMurray had 403 yards of total offense in the game. The Highlanders' Demarian Hampton threw for 321 yards and four touchdowns. The Panthers had allowed only 283 yards total coming into the game and were ranked first in NCAA Division III against the pass.

The Panthers had 278 yards of total offense, 203 coming in the air. Quarterback Drew Carter threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

After spotting MacMurray a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, the Panthers ran off 24 straight points. Carter went 24 yards to Nick Langley for the first score to make it 7-3. Josh Stripling's 22-yard field goal put the Panthers up 10-3 after the opening quarter.

A nine-yard run by freshman Kendrick Nelson was followed by Mario Wallace's 12-yard run to put the Panthers up 24-3. After Hampton threw his first touchdown to make it 24-10, Carter came back with a 57-yard strike to Wallace to make it 30-10 at the half.

The Panthers defense and special teams put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Kyle Storey recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to push the Panthers' lead to 36-10. Tim Hill returned an interception 40 yards for another score and a 43-10 lead. The Panthers have returned an interception for a touchdown in three straight games.

MacMurray scored twice to cut the lead to 43-22. The Highlanders attempted an onside kick after the second score. Chris Prewett scooped up the ball and returned it 40 yards to make it 49-22. The Highlanders closed out the scoring with four minutes left for the 49-30 final.