The Shadow
FERRUM, Va. (VR) – Ferrum College notched a historic milestone Saturday afternoon, earning its first football win since moving up to NCAA Division II with a 14-6 victory over Shaw University at W.B. Adams Stadium.
The Bears (0-2) jumped out early when Justin Wheeler connected with Cobie Bates for a four-yard touchdown on third down midway through the first quarter. The Panthers caught a break when the extra point attempt was blocked, leaving Shaw with a 6-0 advantage that held into halftime.
Ferrum (1-2) regrouped after the break. Running back Aidan Vaught capped a drive with a two-yard scoring run less than two minutes into the third quarter, and Jon Davis’ extra point gave the Panthers their first lead at 7-6.
Quarterback Eli Foutz extended that margin later in the third, finding Omarza Gray on a six-yard touchdown pass. Davis again converted, pushing the score to 14-6 — a lead the Panthers’ defense protected the rest of the way.
Foutz finished 8-of-15 passing for 17 yards and the touchdown, while linebacker Aidan Mansfield anchored the defense with five tackles. Shaw was led by Wheeler’s 90 passing yards and one score, with Keyshawn Richardson collecting nine tackles.
Head coach Kevin Sherman’s squad will look to build on the breakthrough victory when the Panthers travel to UNC Pembroke on Saturday, Sept. 20. Kickoff for the Conference Carolinas opener is set for 6 p.m. in Pembroke, N.C.
