Rocky Mount, NC - The N.C. Wesleyan football team fell 28-24 to Ferrum in its home opener on Saturday night in a thriller at Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium. 

Wide receiver Christian Drumgoole delivered a historic performance for the Battling Bishops, setting a new program record with 18 receptions for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Drumgoole's standout day puts him among the top three in NCAA Division III in both total receiving yards and yards per game this season.

The Basics:
Score: N.C. Wesleyan 24, Ferrum 28
Location/Venue: Rocky Mount, NC / Stallings Field at Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium
Records: N.C. Wesleyan (0-2, 0-0 USA South), Ferrum (1-1, 0-0 ODAC)

Ferrum started the game with a key defensive stand, stopping Wesleyan's opening drive on 4th and goal at the 1-yard line. The Panthers capitalized by marching 99 yards on a 17-play drive, capped by a Zach Wyatt rushing touchdown. The Bishops responded immediately, as Anthony Byrd, who rushed for 147 yards on 27 carries, tied the game with a 15-yard touchdown run.

The connection between quarterback Chaz Hirschman and Drumgoole came alive on the next drive, as Hirschman found Drumgoole for a 48-yard touchdown. The Panthers would tie the game before halftime, but the Bishops regained the lead in the second half when Hirschman hit Drumgoole again for a 28-yard score. Hirschman finished with a career-best 354 passing yards on 26 completions.

Braxtyn Green extended Wesleyan's lead with a 35-yard field goal, making it a two-possession game with under six minutes left in the third quarter. However, Ferrum scored two touchdowns in under a minute due to a pair of Wesleyan miscues, including a muffed kickoff.

Wesleyan fought down to the wire, but in the game's final moments, the Bishops were unable to convert on two chances inside the 10-yard line as time expired.

Up Next:

The Battling Bishops will look to regroup as conference play starts on Saturday with Ferrum coming to town.