Methodist rallied to beat LaGrange 26-23 in overtime Saturday at Callaway Stadium on Senior Day. The loss knocked the Panthers (3-5, 3-2 USA South) out of a first place tie in the USA South with Christopher Newport and Ferrum.

Methodist (3-5, 2-3 USA South) got four field goals from Cody Ausherman. Ausherman kicked a 45-yard field goal on the final play of regulation to send the game into overtime, then hit from 23 yards for the game winner.

The Panthers led 23-13 with 7:18 left in the fourth quarter. Will Jeffcoat's third field goal of the second half end a 15-play drive that took over seven minutes off the clock.

Methodist covered 91 yards on just eight plays to draw within three points. Max Reber's 23-yard touchdown pass to Vaughn Cross made it 23-20 with 3:04 left in the game.

The Panthers had a chance to run out the clock after recovering the onside kick. But they were stopped on fourth down at the Monarchs' 36 with 57 seconds remaining.

Reber completed pass of 20 and 16 yards to get the Monarchs to the Panthers' 35. On fourth down at the 28, Ausherman connected from 45 yards as time expired to tie the game at 23.

The Panthers got the ball first in the overtime. Two running plays gained nothing and quarterback Ed Russ was sacked for a loss of nine yards. Jeffcoat's 51-yard field goal was short and Methodist took over.

John Flanagan ran for 17 yards for a first down at the Panthers' 3-yard line. After two plays, Ausherman came on and kicked the game-winner from 23 yards for the 26-23 final.

In the first half, Russ opened the scoring with an 85-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead after a quarter. Russ was flushed from the pocket, tucked it in and went the distance untouched. The play was the longest run from scrimmage by a Panther quarterback.

Methodist came back to take a 10-7 lead in the second quarter. Reber threw a short touchdown pass to Cross and Ausherman kicked a 37-yard field goal.

The Panthers put together a quick five-play 58-yard drive to go up 14-10 at halftime. Russ ran for 25 yards and a sideline interference penalty against Methodist moved the balll down to the Monarchs' 22. Two plays later, Kent Gibson took the pitch from Russ and got a block downfield from John John Hill to finish the 22-yard touchdown run.

The Panthers built their lead in the third quarter. Jeffcoat hit two short field goals of 22 and 26 yards to put the Panthers up 20-10 going to the fourth quarter.

Russ finished the game with 141 yards on 20 carries and the touchdown. Gibson added 63 yards on 26 carries as he had his three-game streak of over 100 yards rushing snapped.

Andre Carter had 12 tackles on defense. He also had a sack and his first interception of the year. Anthony Cochran had his second interception of the season and five tackles.

The Panthers play their final two games on the road, starting next week at Ferrum.