Shepherd wide receiver Jeremiah Taylor makes a catch during Saturday’s home opener against Slippery Rock University. By Elle Colbert
SHEPHERDSTOWN — The clear plastic container policy, implemented for the first time at Shepherd University football games, wasn’t intended to affect the Rams team.
That closed, clear bag policy may have been a target on Sheppard’s offense, which Slippery Rock maintained ball control for the entire game and was kept off the field, after Slippery Rock University’s 20-10 win over the Rams at a mostly silent Coach Monte Cater Field. “The nth degree.”
Slippery Rock ran 67 offensive plays compared to Sheppard’s 44. “The Rock” On a hot, muggy afternoon in front of 5,119 fans, the offense controlled the ball for 39 minutes, 18 seconds, while the Rams controlled it for just 20 minutes, 42 seconds.
On a bright, summery afternoon, crowds of spectators reached for sunglasses, sunscreen lotion and small clear plastic food containers, but there was no sign of patience or the need for more as Sheppard struggled to get its offense onto the field and somehow get Slippery Rock back down the sideline.
With Sheppard’s offensive opportunities scattered, the Rams were only able to attempt 14 running plays against the PSAC West team: 14 rushes for a total of 26 yards. “Shepherd Football”
Rams quarterback Rec Powell threw 30 passes, completing 22 of them for 240 yards and a 17-yard scoring pass to Malachi Brown, but two of his passes were dropped or bounced off the receiver and intercepted, which would have a decisive impact on whether Shepard could overcome an early 10-0 deficit.
Coach Sheppard’s depth also played a big role in the outcome on a tiring afternoon, with the Rams’ problems compounded by the absence of regular offensive line starters Ty Lucas and Josh Krummitt.
And while the Rams committed three turnovers, Slippery Rock committed none.
Slippery Rock frequently made successful third-down plays and took full advantage of Sheppard’s three-man pass rush when in crunch time.
The Rams didn’t allow a sack and Slippery Rock barely allowed a loss on a running play after the first period.
Sheppard trailed just 13-7 at halftime despite an offense that was mostly kept to the sidelines.
Sheppard’s score came after Slippery Rock had some misfortune with a fake punt from its own half, and the Rams quickly scored on a much-needed score on a pass by Malachi Brown that went about 17 yards after thwarting a trick play on Slippery Rock’s fourth down.
Trailing 13-7, the Rams received the second half kickoff and, thanks to three Slippery Rock penalties, advanced to field goal range, with Keith Baker booting a 29-yard field goal to temporarily make the score 13-10, but still favoring the motivated visitors.
Sheppard scored on its first possession of the second half before failing to score again the rest of the way.
The most important play of the second half came when, with the Rams still trailing by three, Slippery Rock quarterback Braden Long tried to get a first down from the Rams’ 17. The officials initially ruled he was stopped short of the required distance, but after a long pause, changed their mind and ruled he’d gained the first down with a run that was within inches of the goal.
Long then completed a 6-yard pass to tight end Zander McClure to push the lead back to 20-10. On Sheppard’s final two attempts, a pass to an open receiver was erroneously intercepted and another was completed but fumbled by Slippery Rock.
Sheppard’s active defense offered a glimpse of what his quickness and general disruptive play can bring, and his offense showed that he’ll need to play a lot more than 44 times and keep his offensive line intact against a team with playoff hopes.
