(THE PICKET) – The Shepherd Rams football team opened their season on Saturday in a lopsided shutout victory over the West Virginia Wesleyan University Bobcats 43-0.
The Rams and Bobcats were locked at zero for the majority of the first quarter until Rams kicker Ryan Earls put one of his three field goals through the uprights just before the end of the first quarter. The remaining three quarters of play the Rams hit their stride and never looked back.
The Rams passing attack was led by standout junior quarterback Jeff Ziemba who completed 24 of his 34 pass attempts for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Ziemba’s favorite target on the day was Billy Brown who finished the day with 121 yards receiving on seven receptions. Ziemba’s first touchdown came 12 seconds before halftime when he hit Angelo Jean-Louis from 20 yards out. His second came with 13:37 left in fourth quarter when he hit Tyrell Hollingsworth for a three yard touchdown.
The Rams offensive line opened running lanes for three running backs to rush for more than 45 yards. Jabre Lolley led the Rams rushing attack with 66 yards on nine attempts and two touchdowns. Allen Cross added 62 yards on 12 attempts, while Malik Harleston added 47 yards and a touchdown of his own.
The Rams played lock down defense from the opening kickoff throughout the entire game holding the Bobcats to 81 yards of total offense.
Myles Humphrey led the Rams defense with seven tackles, the Rams pass rush was also led by Humphrey who tallied two sacks on the day. Corren Mack led the Bobcat Defense with eight tackles. Cam Reynolds and Adam Coles led the Rams secondary with one interception each.
The Rams hope to keep the momentum from this game and transfer it to their home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, at noon against the College of Notre Dame Falcons.