SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The Shepherd University football team has been a courteous host so far this season … to a point.
The Rams, playing at home for their first three games, graciously have allowed their first three opponents to score first in each game. Then Ram Stadium’s comfy confines have turned into a house of horrors.
The latest guest/victim was California (Pa.). The Vulcans scored a touchdown for an early lead and then never saw the end zone again.
Shepherd scored 28 unanswered points, pulling away to a 28-7 victory on Saturday to remain undefeated while California suffered its first loss. And like last week’s win over Gannon, the Rams waited until the second half to make the Vulcans uncomfortable.
Quarterback Michael Hardyway connected with Daryl Harper for a pair of touchdowns, while the special teams provided another score to help the Rams (3-0) salt away the win.
Hardyway backed up his Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East offensive player of the week honor from last week by completing 14 of 25 passes for 182 yards and the two scores.
Shepherd’s three opponents – Frostburg State, Gannon University and now California – got opening scores and early leads by scoring a combined 17 points to start the three games.
After that, Shepherd has rolled to all 107 of its points to finish out the games. Meanwhile, the defense has only allowed 44 points after falling behind early.
Cal took their early lead with a four-play, 65-yard drive, capped by a Bobbie Boyd Jr. 5-yard touchdown run with 12:59 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
Shepherd answered almost immediately, scoring in two plays, both on Hardyway passes to Harper. The second was a 45-yard scoring strike to finish off the quick 74-yard drive in just 52 seconds to tie the game at 7-7 with 12:01 remaining in the first quarter.
The tie stood for the rest of the first half and most of the third quarter.
Hardyway found Harper for the second touchdown with 33 seconds remaining in the third period – this time on a 2-yard pass to complete a six-play, 44-yard drive to give the Rams a 14-7 advantage.
Shepherd put the game away in the fourth quarter.
It started when Amarian Manuel broke through the California front line and blocked Vulcan punter Andrew Gonzalez’s punt deep in California territory. Corey Lawrence scooped it up and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown to give Shepherd a 21-7 edge with 9:36 remaining.
The Rams capped the victory when Noah Miatchell took a handoff out of a shotgun snap and bowled in from the 2 for the final score and the 21-point victory.
Shepherd rolled up 349 yards of offense in the game, while holding Cal to 272.
Harper had four grabs for 100 yards to lead the Shepherd receivers, which bested Cal’s Kenny Lewis IV, who had 10 receptions for 87 yards.
Mitchell finished with 10 carries for 62 yards and the touchdown for the Rams, who were led by Tijuan Reed with 12 carries for 89 yards.
D’Myo Hunter led the Shepherd defense with 12 tackles (seven solos) and three tackles-for-loss (-10 yards). Reggie Snowden added a pair of interceptions.
Shepherd volleyball sweeps Shippensburg
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Middle hitter Sophia Ryan collected 11 kills on Saturday to lead Shepherd University to a 25-22, 26-24, 25-15 sweep over host Shippensburg in a PSAC East match.
Outside hitters Amya Davis and Ada McCoy each added 10 for Shepherd (11-1, 2-0).
Setter Maggie Smith contributed 32 assists, while libero Alexa Smith had 21 digs.
Hailey Cappelman had 11 kills and four blocks for Shippensburg (8-5, 1-1). Elise Bragg added six kills and seven digs.
