Wesleyan clinches program's first NCAA football playoff berth

Rocky Mount, NC - The script could not have been written more perfectly... On a day when head coach Jack Ginn honored the North Carolina Wesleyan football team's inaugural senior class, the same 25 young men (pictured) helped clinch the young program's first NCAA playoff berth and at least a share of the 2007 USA South Championship with a 24-17 win over Ferrum College.  Wesleyan (7-2, 6-0) has a chance to become the conference's first out-right champion next week with a win against Greensboro.  No USA South team has ever posted an undefeated record in league play.

After an emotional victory at Christopher Newport last week, the Bishops were forced to regroup for a talented and focused Ferrum team on Saturday in Rocky Mount. 

The Panthers, who could have forced a three-way tie for first place atop the conference standings with a win, struck quickly with a 44-yard completion by Matt Dobson on FC's first play from scrimmage.  The drive ended with a 33-yard field goal by Clint Slappey for a 3-0 Panther lead.

Wesleyan responded, however, with a five-play, 67-yard drive that saw senior quarterback Cedric Townsend complete a 14-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Orlando Webb.  Senior Brian Vaughn's point-after gave NCWC a 7-3 advantage.

Ferrum fumbled on its next two possessions, the second of which was recovered by senior linebacker Bo Brown on the Panther 21-yardline.  FC's defense did not give up a first down in holding the Bishops to a 39-yard field goal by Vaughn. 

Wesleyan led 10-3 at the end of the first quarter, and the two squads traded touchdowns in the second for a 17-10 Bishop lead at the half.  NCWC's came on a 40-yard TD strike from Townsend to Webb, while FC's was the result of a Ronnie Edwards 4-yard run.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Panthers tied the game with a five-play, 65-yard drive that was capped by a Dobson 28-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Mayo midway through the fourth.  Slappey's PAT knotted the game at 17-17 with 6:57 left in the game.

The Panther defense forced a punt on Wesleyan's next possession, but sophomore Joel Creef delivered a perfectly placed 45-yarder that was downed on the FC two-yardline.  After a false start penalty moved Ferrum to the one, a crucial Panther fumble on the next play was recovered by Quentin Pope at the six.  Back-to-back rushes got the Bishops in the endzone, and the point-after gave NCWC a 24-17 lead with 3:40 remaining.

The Blue & Gold defense responded with a huge stand that saw Wesleyan regain the ball on downs, enabling the Bishops to successfully run down the clock.  

Townsend finished 13-of-29 for 157 yards and two touchdowns.  Teron Bush ran for 100 yards, while Webb amassed 92 receiving yards and recorded both receiving TDs.  Defensively, senior Jezreel Davis tallied 11 tackles and had an interception.  The Bishops forced seven Ferrum turnovers on the day
(4 fumbles, 3 picks).

Next week's game at Greensboro College will wrap up Wesleyan's 2007 regular season slate.  Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.