Shepherd Routs WVSU

The Shepherd Rams improve to 6-0 with a triumphant 70-24 over the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets Saturday, in Institute, West Virginia.

Behind the leadership of backup quarterback Connor Jessop, the Rams opened up the scoring with a touchdown, when Jessop completed a 43-yard pass to CJ Davis, putting Shepherd up 7-0, and giving the fans a preview of the scoring outburst that was in store. The Yellow Jackets would return the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.   Shepherd’s next drive took just over a minute and was capped off by a 44 yard touchdown pass from Jessop to Billy Brown extending the Rams lead to 7 at 14-7.

After a stop by Shepherd’s defense, the offense took just 1:40 to find the end-zone, when Jessop hit Lue Sokova from 16 yards out, making the score 21-7. West Virginia State would add a score before the end of the quarter making it a 21-14 game, but the momentum was clearly on the side of the Rams.

Shepherd’s offense exploded in the second quarter scoring four touchdowns, while the defense dominated the Yellow Jackets only allowing a field goal. Jessop called his own number for the first score of the quarter scrambling for a 49-yard score. Jessop also threw two touchdowns finding Davis and Brown again for their second receiving touchdowns on the day. Deonte Glover added a rushing touchdown in the quarter, making the sore 49-17 heading into halftime.

The Rams productivity continued in the third quarter scoring twice, a 1-yard rush from Jessop, and another 1-yard rush from Patrick Griffin.

Shepherd and West Virginia State would each add a score in the fourth quarter but by then the outcome had been decided and as the clock wound down to zero the Rams found themselves victors, 70-24.

Jessop and Davis led the offense for the Rams with Jessop going 22-28 for 480 yards and 5 touchdowns, with Davis finishing the day with 9 receptions for 251 yards and 2 scores.

The Rams defense was led by inside linebacker James Gupton, who finished with 12 tackles.

Shepherd will be home next Saturday, Oct. 22, for homecoming against Concord University at 12 p.m.