BUENA VISTA, Va. - LaGrange picked up its first win in 699 days with a come-from-behind 38-34 win over Southern Virginia on Saturday in Knights Stadium. It was the USA South opener for both teams and the Knights' first game in the conference.

LC (1-2, 1-0 USA South) snapped a six-game losing streak in winning for the first time since defeating Greensboro on Oct. 19, 2019. The Panthers did not play in 2020 due to the pandemic. LC overcame two 14-point first half deficits and came from behind twice in the final two quarters.

"This was a big win and it was a hard fought game,"said Coach Earl Chambers. "I am pleased with our effort to finish stronger than how we started. I thought we started the game flat. Southern Virginia did a good job executing in the first half.

"We still have a long way to go, but we are making positive steps each week. Moving forward, we need to eliminate the foolish penalties on both sides and be more disciplined. Defense really stepped up in the second half and created turnovers to give our offense more opportunities to score. Winning the game is the goal, so we will watch the film and find ways to get better as a team."

The Panthers forced seven Knight turnovers, tying a school record set in 2008 against Blackburn. The secondary picked off a school record five interceptions. Freshman Cameron Grady and sophomore Klynell Johnson had two each. Grady got the Panthers their first points of the game with a 37-yard touchdown return in the second quarter. DeMarques Densmore had an interception of his own.

Junior quarterback Shedrick Lindsey threw for 252 yards and three touchdown, while adding the Panthers' first rushing TD of the season. Sophomore tight end De'Queze Fryer became the first LC receiver to have three straight 100-yard receiving games. Fryer had career highs of nine catches for 123 yards and also had a touchdown reception for the third straight game. Junior running back James Monroe ran for a game-high 104 yards.

Southern Virginia held a 34-28 lead heading into the fourth quarter. But the Knights last five drives ended with four interceptions and a punt. 

LC's' go-ahead scoring drive started in the third quarter. The Panthers drove to the Knights' 28 before being stopped by a 45-minute weather delay. After the delay, the Panthers reached the 2-yard line as the quarter ended.

A penalty, followed by two plays netting zero yards, left the Panthers facing fourth and goal. Lindsey found Ajani Williams over the middle in the end zone for the touchdown, completing the 17-play 75 yard drive. Alex Rivera's extra point put LC up 35-34 with 14:20 remaining.

The two teams swapped interceptions on their next possessions. The defense rose up once again as Densmore's interception set up Rivera's 24-yard field goal with 3:56 left. Grady's second interception sealed the win and the Panthers were able to run out the clock.

In the first half, the Knights jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Grady's interception touchdown return cut the deficit to 14-7.

Southern Virginia came right back with a quick drive to go back up by 14, 21-7. Lindsey's short 1-yard TD toss to Fryer finished an 11-play, 77-yard drive.

The Panthers benefitted from a costly Knights' penalty to tie the game. A roughing the kicker penalty on fourth down kept the LC offense on the field. Two plays later, Lindsey hit L.J. Flint in stride down the right side of the field for a 73-yard touchdown and Rivera's PAT made it 21-21. 

 The Panthers host USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan next Saturday at 1 p.m. in Callaway Stadium.

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