October 4, 2003
 
 
Panthers Overcome Cougars
Ferrum Picks Up First Conference Win in 27-9 Victory
 
Ferrum, Va. -  The Ferrum College football team overcame a rash of turnovers and picked up its first USA South Conference win of the season with a 27-9 triumph over Averett University.
 
Ferrum scored on its opening drive when sophomore running back Dustin Hamoy (Richlands, Va./Richlands) busted into the end zone from one yard out to cap a six-play, 58-yard drive with 12:37 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Averett answered in the second quarter when kicker James Thurnes connected on a 41-yard field goal nine seconds into the second quarter.  Ferrum went into halftime with a 14-3 lead thanks to a touchdown by freshman running back Darren Baker (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) on a 41-yard reception from freshman quarterback Jermaine Pitts (Winston-Salem, N.C./Reynolds).
 
The Cougars cut the lead to 14-9 five minutes into the second half when Tracy Smithers scored on a six yard rush after Gentry Parker blocked a Ferrum punt.  The Panthers stretched the lead to 20-9 as the fourth quarter opened when senior running back Moncrief Holmes (Yorktown, Va./York) scampered into the end zone on an 18-yard run that capped a five-play, 80-yard drive.  Freshman tight end Chris Silk (Ashland, Va./Patrick Henry) scored on a three-yard pass from Pitts with 3:15 to go in the game to put the game out of reach.  Junior kicker Bobby Corn (Cumming, Ga./Forsyth Central) was a perfect 3-3 on extra point attempts.
 
Ferrum's defense held Averett to 223 yards of offense and forced seven turnovers.  Senior linebacker Antonio McClenny (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) recorded 11 tackles and a sack, while senior defensive end Brett Griffin (Jupiter, Fla./William T. Dwyer) added 10 tackles and two sacks.  Junior linebacker Jamires Poindexter (Orange, Va./Orange County) and senior defensive back Leroy Howard (Miami, Fla./Miami Central) each had two interceptions, while senior defensive back Ricky Peace (Hopewell, Va./Hopewell) had one.

 

Holmes led Ferrum with 116 yards rushing on 16 carries, while Hamoy had 109 yards.  Ferrum's offense churned out 307 yards on the ground.  Pitts was 5-9 passing for 85 yards and two touchdowns.  The Panthers overcame four fumbles on the afternoon.
 
Ferrum (3-1, 1-1 USA South) travels to Greensboro, N.C. next Saturday to take on Guilford College.  Averett (1-2, 0-1) hosts USA South opponent Methodist in Danville, Va.  For more information, call the Ferrum Sports Information Office at (540) 365-4306.

 

 

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