Game Preview - Shepherd

The Golden Rams (1-4, 1-1) host the Shepherd Rams (4-1, 2-0) for just the second time ever. Kickoff on Saturday is scheduled for noon.

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. All four PSAC East meetings have been won by Shepherd.

Shepherd head coach Ernie McCook has a record of 57-14 entering Saturday's game and has guided his Rams to the NCAA Division II playoffs in all four of his seasons at the helm. The Rams won the Super Region One title in both 2021 and 2022.

Last Meeting:

10/21/2023 #22 Shepherd 59 - West Chester 21

Shepherd scored on their first four possessions, sprinted to a 45-7 lead and coasted to a 59-21 win in Shepherdstown, WV. The Ram offense used a balanced attack - 273 rushing, 260 passing - to roll up 533 yards of total offense. The West Chester offense turned the ball over four times to just one by the home team.

Individually, Cooper Jordan was 12 of 23 for 123 yards and 1 interception. Dayshawn Jacobs had 26 yards and a touchdown on ten carries and five catches for 38 yards. Robby Longo made two catches, both for touchdowns. Connor Noble (6 tackles, 1 sack) returned a fumble 70 yards.

Scouting the Opponent:

After last season, Shepherd was hit hard by the transfer portal. Five All-PSAC East performers have moved on to other institutions: quarterback, Seth Morgan is now starting for the University of New Hampshire; place kicker James Bozek is now handling the kickoffs for University at Albany; offensive lineman Chandler Brown has seen action for Colorado State; defensive back Omari Terry is now playing linebacker for Benedict College and defensive lineman Nathan Muhle is seeing limited action with defending Division 2 national champion Harding University.

Despite all of those losses, the Rams haven't skipped a beat. Running back Malakai Brown (48 carries, 374 yards, 4 TD's, 11 catches, 110 yards, 2 TD's) was second team All-PSAC East last season and currently leads the conference in touchdowns and is fifth in rushing yards. He runs behind All-PSAC East center James Bell and right tackle Brandon Carr. Quarterback Lek Powell (89 of 128, 1,046 yards, 9 TD's 2 int) is fourth in the PSAC in passing yardage and passing efficiency. Besides Brown, receivers Cameron Dorner (21 catches, 396 yards, 3 TD's), Barry Hill (13 catches, 197 yards, 2 TD's) and Jeremiah Taylor (17 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD) are top targets.

Sophomore safety Miles Greer (31 tackles, 1 int, 3 PBU) leads the team in tackles and cornerback Klayton Batten (25 tackles, 2 PBU) also defends the passing game. Defensive linemen Jack Brutus (9 tackles, 2 sacks) and Brett Kwoka (11 tackles, 2.5 sacks) apply pressure up front. Linebacker Harold O'Neal (31 tackles, 4.5 TFL) was All-PSAC East last season.

Greer was All-PSAC East and Don Hansen All-American Honorable Mention as a return specialist last season and returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown two weeks ago at Shippensburg. Freshman kicker Keith Baker appears to have an accurate leg, albeit not strong (18 of 18 PAT, 3 of 4 FG, long 37, no touchbacks on 22 kickoffs). Senior punter Ryan Barrick (21 punts, 10 I20, 6 50+) leads the PSAC with a 44.6 yard average.

Analysis:

Shepherd's only loss this season came at the hands of currently #6/#8 Slippery Rock by a 20-10 score. Shepherd has a very balanced and effective offense and expects to move the ball fairly easily against the struggling Golden Ram defense. The Rams lead the PSAC in rushing defense allowing just 72 yards/game and a total of three touchdowns on the season, so it will be interesting to see if Cooper Jordan can break into the open. The revamped WCU offensive line will need to provide protection against a Shepherd defense that is second in the PSAC in sacks.

Massey Ratings is projecting a 31-21 Shepherd win while Versus Sports simulates a similar 30-17 Shepherd victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video   Game Program

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Welcomes Shepherd to Farrell Stadium Saturday

PSAC Site - 2024 PSAC Football Week 6 Notes

Shepherd Athletic Site - 2024 Ram Press Box Report - Week 6

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Six Preview