Panthers roll over Maryville 38-14 for second win
Sept. 20, 2008

MARYVILLE, Tenn. – LaGrange College rolled over Maryville College 38-14 on Saturday at Lloyd Thornton Stadium. The Panthers improved to 2-1 on the season, while the Fighting Scots fell to 1-2.

Maryville won 47-7 here in 2006 in the Panthers' inaugural game. Last season, the Fighting Scots came from behind in the second half to win 21-3.

The Panthers exploded for 24 second quarter points to take a 31-7 halftime lead. It was the most points in a quarter and in a half by the Panthers in a game. The game was tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The Panthers' defense, which allowed the fewest points in a game thus far, got the game's first touchdown. Nathan Masters intercepted Tim Conner's pass and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown. Josh Stripling added the first of five extra points to make it 7-0. It was the first return of an interception for a touchdown by a Panther.

Maryville came back on its next possession to get the tying touchdown after a short six play 41-yard drive. The Panthers answered with a scoring drive of their own to take the lead for good.

Starting at their own 37, the Panthers needed only eight plays to get in the end zone. Drew Carter threw 19 yards to Colt Shope down to the Scots' 26-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage in the second quarter, Carter went to Shope for 29 yards and the touchdown to make it 14-7.

On their next possession, the Panthers pushed their lead to 17-7. Stripling capped a short drive with a 24-yard field goal. Mario Wallace's 54-yard punt return to the Scots' 25-yard line set up the field goal.

The Panthers' special teams needed only nine seconds to add to the Panthers' lead. Jeremy Pickens scooped up Brandon Joynes' fumble and returned it 25 yards to make it 24-7. It was the first fumble return for a touchdown by a Panther.

Maryville's last scoring chance of the half ended when Andrew Christie blocked Brad Daniell's 35-yard field goal attempt. The Panthers then marched 69 yards in 11 plays to add to their lead.

Carter kept the drive alive with a short six-yard completion on fourth-and-three to Devin Billings at the Scots' 30-yard line. On second and goal from the one, Carter found Nick Langley in the end zone with a second remaining in the half for a 31-7 lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, Maryville cut the Panthers' lead to 31-14 midway through the fourth quarter. The Panthers answered with an 11-play 59-yard scoring drive of their own to close out the scoring.

Carter accounted for all but three yards in the air. He completed a 14-yard pass to Tripp Duke and went 22 yards to Riley Hill down to the Scots' 24-yard line. Two plays later, he hit Billings for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 38-14 with 5:22 remaining in the game.

Josh Britt led the Panthers' defense with 4.5 total tackles, including a quarterback sack. Alex Sapp had 3.5 total tackles and a quarterback sack. In addition, to Masters' interception, George Lankford returned  an interception 73 yards to the Scots' two-yard line late in the game.  The Panthers held Maryville to only 85 yards passing. The Scots had 515 yards passing in their first two games.

Carter finished the game 17-for-35 for 185 yards. He had the three touchdown passes and had three interceptions. Wallace rushed for 62 yards and finished with 124 all-purpose yards. Billings and Stephen Tuck each had three receptions. Eight different Panthers had at least one reception.

The Panthers stay on the road next week for their St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference opener against Principia College in Elsah, Ill.