(THE PICKET)—The Shepherd Rams football team, ranked number five in the nation, comes into this Saturday’s game against the Urbana University Blue Knights with more on the line than just a win; it is a chance with the Mountain East Conference outright.
It is a chance for them to claim a number one seed for the region and claim home field advantage for the first couple rounds of the playoffs, but most importantly it is a chance to achieve one of the hardest accomplishments in sports—an undefeated season.
Along with what the team can accomplish with a win, this Saturday is special for a variety of other reasons. With Veterans Day being this past Wednesday, Nov. 11, Shepherd is using this game as a military appreciation day to spotlight and thank all of the current and former military members.
Another special celebration that will take place this Saturday, Nov. 14, is senior day, which will be celebrating the seniors who have given the last four to five years to the team. Two featured seniors will be Phillip Rhoden, who will not be playing due to an injury Shaneil Jenkins, who leads the team in sacks with eight and Jon Hammer, who has started 26 games in his career as a Ram.
“The atmosphere is going to be great for the game with everything that’s going on, but we have a job to do and a game to win and we will be ready to play,” said coach Monte Cater.
The game between Urbana and Shepherd in 2014 was a one side affair in which the Rams won 42-7. During that game, Jeff Ziemba threw for 244 yards and Jabre Lolley added 91 yards on the ground as Shepherd totaled 431 total yards compared to the Blue Knights with 227.
Homecoming game was Notre Dame vs. Shepherd with a winning score of 43-14. Pictured above is #31, Jaren Johnson taking a hit while holding the ball tight.
This season, the Rams and Blue Knights will kick off at noon on Saturday, Nov. 14, at home.