Ferrum, Va. - North Carolina Wesleyan's football team turned in one of its most productive offensive showings of the season on Saturday as senior quarterback John Jackson tossed a career-high four touchdown passes, two of which were hauled in by junior wide receiver Greg Edwards. It would not be enough, however, as homestanding Ferrum College earned a 51-35 win over the Bishops in USA South play.
The first two minutes of the game featured plenty of fireworks as the Bishops opened up play by recovering an on-side kick. Three plays later, NCWC had a 7-0 lead on a Jacques Alston 3-yard touchdown rush, but the celebration was shortlived. Ferrum's first play from scrimmage resulted in a 63-yard run by Tim Reynolds, setting up his own 3-yard score for a 7-7 tie just 1:15 in.
Wesleyan managed a nicely-executed 8-play, 85-yard drive on its next possession, which was capped by an 8-yard scoring strike from Jackson to senior Timaine Moore. The Panthers proceeded to fumble the ensuing kickoff, but quickly got the ball back via an interception. FC went on to put up 20 unanswered points for a 27-14 lead before Jackson found Edwards 23 yards out to cut NCWC's deficit to 27-21 at the half.
The two squads traded turnovers early in the third quarter before the Panthers moved ahead 41-21. Jackson, however, tossed this third and fourth touchdowns to pull the Bishops to within six at 41-35 with 14:50 left in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, NCWC would get no closer as Ferrum closed out regulation with 10 unanswered points.
Jackson finished 31-of-61 for 335 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. In addition to Edwards, freshman Jamias Williams also had seven catches and Moore six. Alston racked 100 yards on the ground (93 net), including a long of 48.
Defensively, junior James Wallace tallied a team-high nine tackles. Both teams recovered three fumbles on the day.
Wesleyan (1-5, 0-3 USA South) returns to action at home next Saturday when the Bishops host Greensboro College. Kickoff is slated for 1:00pm at the Northern Nash Football Complex.