ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – The No. 9 Milligan University flag football squad hosted NCAA Division II opponent Ferrum College Panthers Wednesday night under the lights at Citizens Bank Stadium in Elizabethton, Tenn. After picking up two wins last weekend, the Buffs were looking to continue their perfect season. They did just that after a tightly contested first half was followed by a dominant second half from the Buffs leading them to a 26-14 victory at home.

Milligan started the game on offense and Bridget Keyser found her wide receiving corps to move the ball down field. Then, it looked like the drive was going to stall in the red zone, as the Buffs faced a fourth down and 14, but Keyser found freshman Lilly Rumrill in the back of the end zone, and she made the grab to give Milligan a 6-0 lead after the game's opening drive. Milligan would attempt a 2-point conversion which was unsuccessful.

The Buffs were able to stifle the Panthers' opening drive but were unable to capitalize with a score. Then, on the ensuing Ferrum drive, Milligan forced another turnover but gave the ball right back on an interception in Panther territory. The turnover proved to be costly, as it took the Panthers only three plays to cross the goal line, and a one-point conversion gave them the lead at 7-6 with just over two minutes remaining in the first half.

With time winding down in the half, the Buffs were able to swiftly move the ball down field after Keyser was able to find Sam Urso for a 16-yard chunk play and personal foul on the Panther defense that set up the Buffaloes in the red zone. Then, it was once again a Keyser to Rumrill connection for 14 yards that led to Milligan points, and the Buffs converted on the one-point conversion attempt giving them a 13-7 lead going into halftime.

After the break, Ferrum started with the ball and converted on one first down, but a Mykelah Davis sack on fourth down concluded their drive and returned possession to Milligan. After the sack, Ashton Whearley scored on the first play of the drive with a 26-yard TD reception extending Milligan's lead to 19-7, and a subsequent failed one-point conversion would keep the score at 19-7 with eight minutes left in the third quarter.

The next Ferrum drive ended in the same fashion as the previous, with a Davis sack on fourth down. However, another uncharacteristic interception from the Buffs gave the Panthers possession with optimal field position, but the Milligan defense continued to shut down Ferrum's offense and forced a crucial turnover on downs to keep the two-possession lead. The game would remain at 19-7 at the end of the third quarter.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Krista Quinn had a six-yard touchdown reception, and a successful one-point conversion attempt would put the game seemingly out of reach at 26-7 with 9:25 to play.

With just over one minute to play, Ferrum would score on a three-yard rush and succeed on the one-point conversion to make it 26-14, but Milligan was able to run the clock on offense to close out a 26-14 victory and remain undefeated.

Milligan outgained Ferrum in the victory, as the Buffs had 339 yards of total offense compared to the Panthers' 300. Keyser threw for a total of 280 yards on a 27-of-37 day throwing the pigskin. She hurled four touchdowns, with two interceptions.

The Milligan receiving game was led by Rumrill, who hauled in seven passes for 107 yards and two TDs. Whearley had four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. K. Quinn led the team in receptions with eight for 44 yards and a touchdown. C. Quinn, Sam Urso, Jasmine McDowell and Davis also had receptions in the contest.

Jeylise Padilla and Keyser tied for the lead in rushing yards with each running for 23, while Whearley had one carry for 13 yards.

Defensively, the team had one interception in the contest from Annabelle Rhodes. Davis spent the night in the backfield with an unreal five sacks. Chloe Jackson and Ashley Wilson also recorded a sack in the win. Parker Bridges led the team with nine flag pulls. Davis had six and C. Quinn had four. Both Ashley Wilson and McDowell recorded three, and K. Quinn had two, while Sa'Keiah Newell, Rumrill, Urso, Abbylin LaPrise and Sophia Anderson each had one, respectively.

Next for Milligan (5-0) there will be a pair of contests that will take place at home on Saturday, March 7, as the Buffaloes start the day with Emmanuel (Ga.) at 12 p.m. and later face off with LaGrange (Ga.) at 3 p.m. inside Citizens Bank Stadium.