BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham-Southern football team came out strong in its 2018 opening game, as the Panthers defeated LaGrange College 34-28 Thursday night under the lights of Krulak Stadium.

The Panthers went up 20-0 to open the season before LaGrange finally scored with less than four minutes to go in the half.  Despite a late run by LaGrange, BSC held on for the win.

Trevor Oakes (Somerville, Ala./Hartselle HS) finished game-highs of 253 passing yards and three touchdowns.  He completed 19-of-33 passes, the longest a 53-yard touchdown bomb to Cole Marell (Bonifay, Fla./Holmes County HS) in the third quarter.  Marell led the Panthers in receiving yards with a game-high 143.  And Robert Shufford (McKenzie, Ala./McKenzie HS) grinded out a game-high 114 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Sy Butler (Childersburg, Ala./Childersburg HS) earned a game-high 12 tackles, three for a loss of 16 yards including a sack.  The senior also broke up a pass.

The Panthers head to Huntingdon next on Saturday, Sept. 8.  They return home to the Hilltop on Saturday, Sept. 22 in their conference opener against Rhodes College.  Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

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