October 13, 2007
Ferrum Defeats Methodist 21-13
Senior Jonathan Mularski leads all receivers with 92 yards

FERRUM, VA -  The Monarchs shut down the pass Saturday, but the Ferrum running game was too much for Methodist with the Panthers taking a 21-13 win. Methodist moves to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the USA South this season while Ferrum improves to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

Methodist kicked off first and Ferrum started at their own 25-yard line before moving the ball 75 yards on the first drive scoring the first touchdown of hte game on a five yard run by Mike Vann. The Monarchs reached the Ferrum 7-yard line on their own first possession of the game, but a field goal attempt missed wide right. They were forced to punt on their second possession, but took over on their own 45-yard line early in the second quarter with a chance to score. Freshman Corey McGuire ran for 11-yards for the first down and picked up another seven on the next play. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Parks connected with senior Jonathan Mularski for a 30-yard pass and the first down at the Ferrum 7-yard line. McGuire picked up three and Parks picked up another three before McGuire broke through the final yard for the touchdown. Freshman Mario Miralles extra-point tied the game at seven.

Ferrum came back down the field on their next drive sparked by a 41 yard rush by Ronnie Edwards to reach the Methodist 9-yard line. Vann finished the three-play drive with another Ferrum touchdown. With just one second on the clock before the end of the half, the Monarchs had another field goal opportunity, but the 53-yard attempt was short of the uprights. The half ended with Ferrum taking a 14-7 lead into the locker room.

The Monarchs opened the second half but could not get recover from a holding penalty to get the first down and were forced to punt. Ferrum used five rushes to move the ball 81 yards and score their third touchdown of the game. The Panthers attempted a field goal of their own, but missed wide right to hold a 21-7 lead at the end of the third quarter. Ferrum took possession in the fourth quarter but the Methodist defense held them to two first downs and the Panthers punted for a touchback. The Monarchs' secured the first down on a 19-yard pass to Mularski before freshman Blake Harrison picked up the next one on three plays for 13 yards. Parks scrambled for a yard to reach the Ferrum 44-yard line before finding a hole and advancing to the 17-yard line and the first down. Parks had a 13-yard pass to freshman Brian Hopkins and picked another couple going to Mularski. The Monarchs turned to the running game for the final 12-yards with McGuire scoring his second touchdown of the day. A missed extra-point attempt left Ferrum with a 21-13 lead. Methodist would have one final possession with 52 seconds remaining, but a fumble at their own 30-yard line left Ferrum to run out the clock and take the win.

Parks finished 17-for-25 on the day for 195 yards passing and another 58 yards rushing. Senior Mike Hill ran for 54 yards of his own while senior Daryl Lawrence led the defense with 12 tackles. Freshman Eric Blalock and senior Brandon Hayden each recorded a sack in the game.

The Monarchs will return home to host Christopher Newport Saturday at 1 pm in coordination with the Methodist University Homecoming festivities.

Box Score

Photo courtesy of ESPN Radio - R2K2 Photography