FERRUM, Va. -- The Methodist defense allowed just 280 yards of total offense, forced three turnovers, and came up with five sacks in a 42-7 win over Ferrum on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Monarchs (6-3, 5-2 USA South) limited Harvey Taylor to just 3-of-12 passing for 53 yards with a pair of interceptions, and sacked the signal caller a total of five times in a dominant defensive showing.
 
Methodist forced a Panther (1-8, 1-6 USA South) 3-and-out on the first possession of the game, and after a 26-yard punt return by D.J. Payne, took over at the FC 28 yard line. On 3rd-and-10, Max Reber found Dedric Bowman for a 28-yard touchdown pass and an early 7-0 lead after Jordan Rieling's PAT.
 
Following another 3-and-out, the Monarchs used a seven-play, 62-yard drive, capped by a six-yard pass from Reber to Noah Shuler to extend to a 14-0 lead at the 8:30 mark of the first quarter. After each team punted twice, the Monarchs went ahead 21-0 on a four-yard run by Shuler at the 10:00 mark of the second quarter.
 
Ferrum got on the board with 4:53 left in the first half as Dominique Lesine scored on a 20-yard run to cap the first-half scoring.
 
In the third quarter, Methodist took its first possession and needed just three plays to cover 75 yards as Shuler ripped off a 51-yard run on first down, and two plays later, John Papillion scored from 22 yards out to make it a 28-7 contest in favor of the Monarchs.
 
Ferrum threatened to score on its next possession, advancing to the MU 11 yard line before Zayd Stivender forced a fumble by Shane Brown that B.J. Minter recovered for the Monarchs at their own six yard line. The Panthers forced a Methodist punt on the ensuing possession, and once again appeared to be in position to score, but a 4th-and-6 play from the Monarchs' 11 yard line was incomplete and Methodist took over on downs. Three plays later, Reber hooked up with Marco Grimsley for an 83-yard touchdown strike and a 35-7 lead.
 
Methodist added another Papillion rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Brandon Boyd and Michael Johnson ended the last pair of FC drives with interceptions to close out the game.
 
The Monarch offense gained 425 yards, including 239 on the ground as both Papillion (123) and Shuler (120) eclipsed the 100-yard mark. Reber finished 14-of-18 passing for 185 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Grimsley had 93 yards on two receptions, and Patrick Jacobs grabbed a team-best five catches.
 
On the defensive side, Bryan Bing led the Monarchs with 10 tackles, including a sack. Stivender had eight tackles and a half sack to go with his forced fumble. Dominique Smith had 1.5 sacks among his five tackles, and Kris Evans had 1.5 sacks as well.
 
Brown led FC in rushing with 86 yards on 10 carries. Taylor had 67 yards on 20 carries, and Lesine had 49 yards on eight totes. Troy Helton caught one pass for 35 yards.
 
Breon Washington led Ferrum with nine tackles, and Jatavious Adams added eight tackles including 1.0 sacks.
 
The Monarchs close out the regular season next Saturday when they host Maryville at 1:00 pm.