FERRUM, Va. – Ferrum College opened the USA South Conference football season by holding on for a 14-12 victory over visiting Shenandoah Saturday afternoon at rainy W.B. Adams Stadium.

The Panthers (3-1, 1-0 USA South) scored all of the points they would need in the second quarter and then had to hold on against Shenandoah (1-3, 0-1).

Fullback Roy Banks got Ferrum's initial score by capping off a 10-play, 88-yard drive with a 26-yard run at the 10:16 mark of the second, and then backup quarterback Marcus Mayo hit running back Mike Vann for a 60-yard strike on the Panthers first play following a Hornet interception.

Shenandoah answered this second score with the first-ever kickoff return TD in school history. Sophomore BJ Smoot had the history maker, taking the Clint Slappey kick at his own 15 and splitting the defense for the score.

The Hornets appeared to be close to making it a tie came by driving to the Ferrum 14 on its final drive of the third, but the drive stalled following an illegal forward pass penalty and a 4th and 4 attempt was unsuccessful.

The SU defense, which held Ferrum to just 69 yards in the second half, then put the offense in great field position when linebacker Joe Lunsford picked off a Matt Dobson pass and returned the ball to the FC 29.

Seven plays later, junior Kevin Roberts made it 14-12 when he scampered around right end on 3rd and goal from the 5.

Shenandoah attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game, but Panthers defensive back William Kenney stuffed Roberts just inches from the goalline on the option right play.

The defense again stepped up and held Ferrum to a three-and-out and the offense began the potential game-winning drive by taking the ball into Panthers territory.

Unfortunately for SU, a costly personal foul penalty following a second down catch by Adam McGhee pushed the Hornets back into its own territory and a third-and-long situation. Passes on third and fourth down were both incomplete, and the hosts took over on downs.

Shenandoah got the ball back one final time but was unable to advance into scoring territory and the time ran out as Vern Lunsford attempted a Hail Mary pass with four seconds remaining.

Roberts led all players with 20 carries for 102 yards while Dobson had 95 yards on 16 carries for Ferrum. The Panthers outgained SU 311-239 and held the ball for 31:33.