A late field goal attempt by Maryville College’s Andrew Noboa pushed wide left with 24 seconds remaining giving LaGrange College their first victory of the 2011 campaign. The Panthers patiently rallied from a 10-0 deficit to defeat the Scots 13-10.
As the fourth quarter was set to begin, Maryville was faced with a fourth down and two yards to go for a first down on the LaGrange 37 yard line. A Tim Conner pass to Ryan Roach fell incomplete and the Panther offense soon took control of the game with an 11 play, 56 yard drive.
A 22-yard run by quarterback Ed Russ and a 12-yard completion from Russ to Torre Pike put LaGrange in scoring position with just over seven minutes remaining. Drake Nahrwold’s 27 yard field goal split the uprights to give LaGrange the 13-10 late lead.
Maryville took the ball with 2:12 remaining with hopes of putting the game into overtime. An 11-yard pass to Ryan Roach and a 15-yard screen to Chad Brooks put MC’s Andrew Noboa within his range to tie the game and send it to overtime with :24 left on the clock. Noboa’s kick had enough leg, but sailed wide left. The Panthers went into victory formation and soon celebrated their first win of the 2011 campaign.
The day began positive for the Fighting Scots. In their first possession, Maryville used an 11 play, 69 yard drive to take an early lead. Key completions to Travis Felder, Zach Bledsoe, and Wesley Idlette put the Scots on the LaGrange 11 yard line. Conner soon connected with his All-American wide-out, Idlette, for an 11-yard score via the air. Noboa’s conversion gave MC the early 7-0 lead.
The Scots rode the momentum of their first drive after their defense stalled a Panther drive. A steady diet of Conner short passes and Paul Costanzo dashes put MC on the Panther’s 7 yard line. Noboa connected on a 23 yard attempt to give MC a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
On LaGrange’s first drive of the second quarter Panther signal caller Ed Russ burst through the Scots line for a 27 yard scoring scamper capping a 4 play, 58 yard scoring drive. Nahrwold’s kick made the score 10-7 in favor of the visitors.
Maryville could not capitalize on their following drive’s field possession. Strong runs by Costanzo and a completion to Zach Bledsoe set up another scoring opportunity for MC’s placekicker. Noboa’s 32 yard field goal attempt was low and short and LaGrange looked to take the momentum into the half.
Nine consecutive runs, including a 24 yard dash by LaGrange’s Kent Gibson, put the home team on the Scots 11 yard-line. Nahrwold connected from 28 yards out to make the score 10-10 at the half.
The first quarter belonged to the Scots. LaGrange capitalized and rallied to claim the second period. The third quarter was a battle for field possession and a display of strong defensive efforts. After three periods the score was stalemated at 10. This set the stage for Maryville’s fourth down decision.
Lagrange (1-2) rushed for 220 yards on the afternoon. Quarterback Ed Russ became the first Panther signal caller to rush for 100 yards finishing with 105 yards on 14 attempts. Kent Gibson added 53 yards on six carries. MC held the Panthers to 45 yards passing. Defensively, Andre Carter tallied seven solo stops while making 10 total tackles. Jeremy Banks added eight stops including three tackles for a loss.
Maryville (0-3) used a 20-for-33 effort by quarterback Tim Conner for 175 yards. Wesley Idlette was his favorite target. Conner connected with Idlette with seven passes for 60 yards and a score. Ryan Roach and Zach Bledsoe each hauled in four passes. Paul Costanzo recorded 54 yards on 13 carries to support MC’s 104 yard rushing attack. Defensively, Dylan Wolfenbarger made nine solo tackles while Julian Keen added eight stops. Jamie Owen also recorded seven tackles including a sack.
Maryville will have next weekend off as they prepare for their opening USA South challenge against Ferrum on October 1.

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