Series History:
Prior to Shepherd joining the PSAC in 2019, these two teams first met in 2013 in the NCAA Division II Regional Championship when the Golden Rams came away with a 28-7 victory. The three PSAC East meetings were all won by Shepherd.
Shepherd head coach Ernie McCook is the reigning PSAC East Coach of the Year and AFCA Region One Coach of the Year. Midway through his fifth season, he has a record of 50-11 entering Saturday's game and has guided his Rams to the NCAA Division II playoffs in each of the past three seasons, and won the Super Region One title in both of the past two seasons.
Last Meeting:
10/22/2022 #3 Shepherd 47 - West Chester 14
Early on, the game was all West Chester. The offense penetrated deep into Shepherd territory on its first two possessions and scored a touchdown on its third. Meanwhile, the Golden Ram defense forced two three-and-outs, and the purple and gold were on their way to shocking the conference favorite. But Shepherd scored touchdowns on its next seven possessions and ran away with a 47-14 win.
Quarterbacks Cooper Jordan (6 of 13, 84 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) and Ethan Kohler (4 of 9, 21 yards, 1 TD, 2 int) both had rough games as they were each sacked twice. Jordan continued to dazzle with his running ability (11 carries, 73 yards). And speedy D'Shaun Seals (6 catches, 91 yards, 1 TD) had a breakout game. Defensively, Sterlen Barr, Jr. had 12 tackles and a pass breakup.
Scouting the Opponent:
Shepherd returns three All-PSAC East performers on their offensive line: right guard Ty Lucas, left guard Wyatt Pellicano, and left tackle Chandler Brown. They provide protection for quarterback Seth Morgan (141 of 219, 1,785 yards, 13 TD's, 4 int) who threw for 4,800 yards and 24 touchdowns while at FCS Virginia Military Institute. Primary targets in the passing game are Cameron Dorner (27 catches, 407 yrads, 4 TD's), Jeremiah Taylor (36 catches, 462 yards, 4 TD's), and Barry Hill (25 catches, 341 yards, 3 TD's) who are all among the top receivers in the PSAC. Listed as a wide receiver, Malakai Brown (116 carries, 572 yards, 3 TD's, 24 catches 159 yards) is fifth in the PSAC in rushing.
Defensively, All-PSAC East linebacker Dewayne Grantham (38 TKL, 2.5 TFL) is joined in the middle by JT Kouame-Yao (49 TKL, 6.0 TFL). Defensive tackles Matt Bednarski (16 TKL, 3.0 sacks) and Jack Baxter (23 TKL, 3.0 sacks) lead the Rams in sacks. Safeties Christian McDowell (26 TKL, 6 PBU, 2 int) and Enelio Pena (48 TKL, 3 PBU) along with defensive back Naeem Alexander (9 TKL, 5 PBU) challenge opponents' passing game. Kicker James Bozek (24 of 25 PAT, 5 of 5 FG) has a long field goal of 43 yards and has boomed 10 touchbacks on 36 kickoffs. Punter Ryan Barrick (38.9 avg) has dropped 12 of his 35 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. The Rams have returned one punt and two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Analysis:
Massey Ratings is projecting a 35-21 Shepherd win while Versus Sports simulates a similar 35-24 Shepherd victory.
Game Coverage:
Coach Zwaan Podcast - Inside the Huddle Week 7
PSAC Site - PSAC Week 8 Football Notes
The Panhandle News Network - Shepherd Football Mid-season Report Card
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