BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - LaGrange opened the 2014 season with a thrilling 34-28 two-overtime win over Birmingham-Southern on Saturday. The Panthers stopped a four-game losing streak to the host Panthers in season opening games.

The Panthers overcame three first half turnovers, then fell behind by 10 points in the third quarter before rallying to take the lead. But Birmingham-Southern scored in the closing seconds of regulation to force overtime.

"I am so proud of the way our team played and never gave up when things did not roll their way," said head coach Matt Mumme, who was coaching his first season.  "Coach (Eddie) Garfinkel does a great job with that program and we had an all out slugfest for our first game."

Graham Craig, who threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns, hit Michael Gray for a 26-yard score in the second overtime for the win. 

The Panthers' defense rose to the occasion twice in the overtime periods. Freshman Anthony Shepard made an interception in the end zone to end the first overtime. In the second overtime, the Panthers stopped BSC on a fourth-and-2 at the 17 to set up the winning score.

Junior linebacker Larry Murdock set a school-record in his first start with 22 total tackles. Murdock broke Andre Carter's record set at Rhodes at Rhodes in 2011. Nick Rasjeza had 11 tackles, while Nick Rowell had six, including four for losses.

BSC had eight trips inside the red zone and came away with 21 points. The host Panthers missed three field goals and were stopped on downs once. The Panthers were 2-for-2 in the red zone.

"I thought Coach (Earl) Chambers and the defense played an amazing game, with a lot of young guys stepping up," said Mumme.

The Panthers got the ball first in overtime and BSC picked off Craig for the first time in the game. But the defense forced the second overtime as Shepard made his drive-killing interception in the end zone.

BSC got the ball first in the second extra period. Running back Joe Moultrie, who had 211 yards on the ground, came up short on third down at the Panther 17. On fourth down, Murdock stood up Moultrie at the 16 to give the ball back to the Panthers.

It only took two plays for the offense to get in the end zone. On second down, Craig hit Gray streaking down the middle in the end zone for the game-winner. It was his only catch of the game.

The Panthers trailed 10-7 at halftime as BSC forced three fumbles in the half. BSC scored on its first possession of the second half to go up 17-7.

The Panthers responded with a 13-play 80-yard drive to cut it to 17-14. Griffin Roelle, who had a school-record 11 receptions for a career-high 160 yards, capped the drive with a 12-yard catch and run from Craig.

Trailing 20-14 heading into the fourth quarter, the Panthers put together back-to-back scoring drives to take a 28-20 lead. Oge finished another 80-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown catch on fourth down, then Humes went around the left side from 33 yards out to push the Panthers' lead to eight.    

BSC sent the game into overtime with a touchdown and the ensuing two-point conversion with 1:14 left in regulation.

The two teams combined for 992 yards of offense in the game.

The Panthers host Berry next Saturday at 6 p.m.