Box Score Maryville College used a 32-0 run after falling behind early to defeat the Ferrum Panthers on Saturday afternoon, 42-19.
The Scots saw Nick Myers and Elijah Chenier lead the way, as the duo combined for 504 yards on the afternoon in Maryville's key USA South victory.
The Orange and Garnet holds onto their top-ranked position in the conference with an unblemished 3-0 mark. The Scots will host USA South foe Averett University next weekend, Oct. 22, for Homecoming. The game is slated for 2:00 p.m.
Myers led Maryville offensively with a 28-of-47 effort through the air. He threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns. Myers also ranked as the Scots' second-leading rusher with 22 yards on six carries.
Chenier led Maryville with 94 yards on 17 carries for two touchdowns, while catching a pair of passes for 13 yards.
Maryville saw Gianni Montgomery (5-for-83) and Michael Smith (5-for-78) lead the way receiving, while Mac Seagle, Logan Winders and Juwan Hill each had touchdown receptions.
Maryville's defense stood strong, holding Ferrum's rushing attack. The Panthers had averaged 240 yards per game, while the Scots held them to just half their average. MC allowed just 65 yards across the ground in the first half.
Maryville struck first, putting together an 11-play, 54-yard drive early in the first quarter. The Scots' second drive stalled at the Ferrum 17-yard line, forcing the field goal attempt. Alex Willard's 34-yard attempt sailed true, giving Maryville a 3-0 lead with 8:01 left in the first quarter.
However, Ferrum would fight right back. The Panthers used a 15-play, 74-yard drive that took 6:55 of the clock to find pay dirt. Harvey Taylor rushed the final 4 yards, giving Ferrum a 7-3 lead with 1:01 left in the opening period.
However, at the 12:50 mark of the second quarter, the Panthers caught a break. Nick Myer's pass was tipped by his wide open receiver, as Shy Smith was able to haul it in behind him. Ferrum was aided by a Maryville personal foul penalty, leading to a 31-yard field goal from Chase Deaton. With 10:02 left in the half, Ferrum held a 10-3 advantage.
The Scots would only need five plays, however, to cover 71 yards. Myers rushed for 23 on a quarterback keeper, before he was able to find Mac Seagle down the far sideline. Myers had two Panthers in his face. He stepped up, tossed it down the sideline before being taken down in the pocket. Seagle made his man miss to knot the game at 10-all with 7:57 left.
The Scots drew their next drive out, spanning 15 plays. Maryville covered 84 yards in 5:28 to add another score before the break. Myers optioned to keep the ball on run play, but before stepping across the line of scrimmage, he pulled up to find a wide open Juwan Hill in the middle of the end zone with just 28 second remaining. At the half, Maryville led 17-10.
Myers was 15-of-26 for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He also led Maryville with four carries for 32 of MC's 85 rushing yards. Ferrum ran 29 plays for 109 in the first half, while the Scots posted an astonishing 45 plays for 269 total yards. Maryville averaged 5.98 yards per play in the opening half.
However, on the season, Ferrum had outscored their opponents 106-50 in the second half. Today, however, it was the Scots that would reverse that.
Maryville would find the end zone for their third consecutive time on their opening drive of the second half. The Scots used six plays to cover 80 yards in just 1:36, as the Myers to Michael Smith connection proved too much. The pair connected three times for 47 yards on the drive, before Myers found Logan Winders on a 16-yard wheel route. Maryville led 24-10 with 12:01 left in the third quarter.
Maryville forced the Panthers to a turnover on downs on their next drive. The Scots held on fourt-and-1 at the 5-yard line to take over again. MC was helped by three major penalties and a 29-yard run by Elijah Chenier. Donaven Wise converted on a fourth-and-2, before Chenier cleaned up the final 3 yards. It converted Maryville's fifth touchdown in as many drives. The Scots' point-after was blocked, as it rolled into the end zone. Hoarce Lee Scott non-chalantly walked to the end zone and picked it up. Maryville was credited with the two-point conversion for a 32-10 lead with 3:20 left in the third quarter.
Maryville used a seven-play, 59-yard drive to earn its sixth-straight drive with points. Ian Hubbs notched a 36-yard field goal to give Maryville a 35-10 lead with 14:10 left in the game.
Ferrum used a 14-play, 63-yard drive to stop the 32-0 run for the Scots. Deaton used a 31-yard field goal attempt to cut the score to 35-13 with 9:21 remaining in the game.
The Panthers would again chip away during the fourth quarter, posting 60 yards in seven plays. Harvey Taylor found Chris Guy for a 39-yard touchdown, cutting Maryville's lead to 16. Taylor's two-point attempt failed with 6:03 left in the game.
The Scots put together a 12-play, 83-yard drive taking 5:26 off the clock for their final score. Chenier finished the play with a 5-yard score, as Maryville took the USA South contest, 42-19.
