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FERRUM, Va. - Ferrum College dropped its home-opener 43-29 to Shenandoah University this afternoon at W.B. Adams Stadium. The Panthers opened a 14-0 first-quarter lead, only to see the visiting Hornets post the come-from-behind non-conference win.

Tae Gilbert opened scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run at 7:51 of the first quarter, then scored again a few minutes later, this time on a 39-yard run at the 3:44 mark. Drew Ferguson got Shenandoah on the board with a one-yard run early in the second quarter, but Ferrum's Malcolm McCoy made in 21-7 Ferrum when he hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Tim Reynolds.

Shenandoah recorded a safety with 3:27 left in the second quarter, then scored two touchdowns to end the half. First came a 20-yard pass from Ferguson to Cedrick Delany, and then a 10-yard pass from Ferguson to Andrew Smith to put the Hornets out in front 22-21 at halftime.

Josh Wells scored on an 18-yard run to open the third quarter increase Shenandoah's lead to 29-21. Gilbert scored his third touchdown of the day for Ferrum on a three-yard run with 12 second left in the third quarter. Smith scored on a 24-yard run for the Hornets at 13:31 of the fourth, then Wells rushed for an 11-yard score for the final count.

Shenandoah rolled up 472 yards in total offense to Ferrum's 265. Ferguson was 17-29 passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Reynolds was 7-23 for 86 yards and one touchdown. Ferrum's defense sacked Ferguson three times, while Shenandoah got to Reynolds twice.

Smith rushed 25 times for 185 yards and a touchdown, and Wells went 12 times for 58 yards and two scores. Gilbert rushed 29 times for 136 yards and three TDs. Defensively, Chris Ham had 13 tackles for Ferrum, including four solo stops. Michael Messick had 10 tackles, including six solo, for Shenandoah (1-1).

Ferrum (0-2) will play next Saturday, Sept. 21, at Bridgewater College. The non-conference game gets underway at 1:00 p.m. in Bridgewater, Virginia. The Panthers then open USA South Athletic Conference play Saturday, Sept. 28, at league newcomer Huntingdon College in Alabama.