FERRUM, Va. -- After trailling 26-7 midway through the fourth quarter, the Ferrum College football rallied to get within five points,  but fell shot losing 26-21 to in-state rival Emory & Henry College Sept. 6 at home.

Box Score: E&H 26, Ferrum 21

The Wasps got on the board first courtesy of a 40-yard TD pass from Daniel Booher to WR Greg Swafford at 7:21 of the first quarter.  Ferrum answered with a 6-yard run by QB Marcus Mayo with six seconds left in the quarter.  Swafford hauled in another TD pass from Booher before halftime, this time a 12 yarder at the 10:16 mark of the second quarter.  The PAT kick was blocked and no further scoring allowed the Wasps to take a 13-7 lead into the locker room.

At 6:28 of the third quarter, the Panthers' RB Mike Vann fumbled at the Ferrum two yard line, a ball which was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by DE Matt Baldwin.  The 2-point PAT attempt failed and E&H led 19-7.  Booher then found WR John Castle from four yards out to put the Wasps up 26-7 with 7:31 remaining in the game.

Ferrum rallied with a pair of late scores to cut the lead.  Vann scored on a 21-yard jaunt with 5:22 left in the fourth quarter, capping a 7-play, 60-yard drive that ate just 2:04 off the clock.  The Panther defense forced Emory & Henry into three-and-out on the next possession, and Ferrum drove 62 yards in seven plays, scoring on a 12-yard pass from Mayo to WR Makya Jackson with 1:53 showing on the clock.

Ferrum's onside kick attempt was recovered by E&H and the Panther defense once again held and forced the Wasps to punt after three plays.  Mayo and company took over on their own 27 yard line and moved the ball to the Wasps 34 yard line before time ran out.

The win is Emory & Henry's second consecutive after having lost the previous three to ferrum.  The Wasps hold a 15-9 series lead, which dates back to the first game played between the two schools in 1985.

Mayo threw for 175 yards and a touchdown for Ferrum on 11-21 passing.  He was picked once, sacked twice, and Mayo also rushed for 18 yards and a score on nine carries.  Vann rushed for 77 yards and a score on eight carries.

Booher went 12-21 for 111 yards passing and three TDs for the Wasps.  He was intercepted once.  RB Darren Richardson rushed for 55 yards on eight carries. 

For the game, Ferrum had 186 yards rushing and 161 yards passing, totaling 347 yards in total offense.  Emory & henry put up 166 yards rushing, 111 passing and 277 in total offense.  The Panthers turned the ball over four times, two interceptions and two fumbles.  The Wasps had a single turnover, Booher's interception in the second quarter, by Ferrum DB William Kenney.

Ferrum returns to action next Saturday at home against NAIA opponent Southern Virginia University.  Kickoff for the non-conference game is set for 1 p.m. at W.B. Adams Stadium.