Quarterback Graham Craig had a record-setting debut for LaGrange in its season opener against Birmingham-Southern on Saturday at Callaway Stadium.

Craig threw for a school record 447 yards and five touchdowns for the Panthers in the 59-38 loss to their counterparts from Alabama. In addition to the passing yards and touchdowns; the junior set new team marks for passes attempted, passes completed and for total offense.

Freshman Marsalis Jackson set his own school record with three touchdown catches and finished with 127 yards receiving, the second most by a Panther in the game.

The Panthers had a team record 35 points in the second half. The two teams combined 97 points were the most scored in a Panther game.

The Panthers had 533 yards of total offense, 370 coming in the second half. They finished one yard shy of tying the team record of 534 set against MacMurray in 2009.

The Panthers were not able to overcome four turnovers and two big pass plays in the first half as Birmingham Southern led 38-3 at halftime. Quarterback Tyson Beacham had touchdown passes of 65 and 46 yards in the half. Beacham finished the game 14-of-17 for 210 yards.

Trailing 52-10 after three quarters, the Panthers scored on three straight possessions to close the gap. Craig and Jackson hooked up on three scoring plays of 20, 67 and 16 yards.

The Panthers finished the game with a five-play 70-yard drive. Craig connected with Griffin Roelle on a 52-yard catch and run for the 59-38 final score.

Freshman Shaqualm McCoy led the Panthers' rushing with 54 yards on four carries. He had a 42-yard run in the third quarter.

The Panthers play at Millsaps next Saturday.