(THE PICKET) — The number five Shepherd Rams completed their undefeated 10-0 season with a statement-making 52-20 victory over the Urbana University Blue Knights claiming the 2015 Mountain East Conference Championship.
“It was great to win it at home and for the seniors this was a special day that I’m sure they will never forget,” said Coach Monte cater after the win. They are now the fifth team in school history to finish the regular season without a loss.
Tre Sullivan (#5) celebrates with fellow Rams after taking his fumble into a touchdown, bringing the score to 21-0.
The Rams struck early in the first quarter when receiver Dalton Boyd pulled in one of the best catches you will ever see, giving Shepherd a 7-0 lead that would hold for the entire first quarter.
Shepherd extended the lead to 14 early in the second quarter when Jeff Ziemba found Angelo Jean-Louis from 11 yards for his second of five touchdowns on the day. On the ensuing Knights’ drive a fumble was recovered by Tre Sullivan to give the Rams an early dominating 21-0 lead just minutes into the second quarter.
Urbana found the end zone for the first time in the game when Tajuan Green hit Trevon Saunders from two yards out to draw the Knights to within two scores. With 4 minutes left in the half Ziemba hit Tony Squirewell for a 75 yard catch and run to give the Rams a 28-7 lead. Urbana countered on their next drive with a touchdown of their own, making it 15-point game after a missed extra point, making the score 28-13. With just over a minute left in the half Ziemba methodically drove the Rams down the field again hitting Squirewell from 24 yards out to give Shepherd a 35 -13 lead heading into halftime.
The Rams scored twice in the third quarter, a 2-yard pass from Ziemba to Billy Brown and a 35 yard field goal by Ryan Earles, making the score 45-13 putting the game out of reach heading into the fourth quarter.
Tony Squirewell (#1) takes on one of his many breaks down the field as he scores another touchdown for the Rams.
Both the Knights and the Rams found the end-zone in the fourth quarter but by then the game was already a one-sided affair in favor of the Rams, and as the clock hit 0 the Rams were crowned MEC champions for the second time in three years.
The offense again was spectacular scoring 52 points on 468 yards of total offense. Quarterback Ziemba added to his spectacular season finishing the game 28-37 for 361 yards, 5 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Squirewell led the receiving core Saturday with 7 catches for 150 yards and two scores. Jabre Lolley led the team rushing with 50 yards on 13 carries
“We are a banged up football team and had a lot of guys banged up, which forced younger guys to step up and they did,” Cater said.
The defense was led in tackles by Sullivan and Tre Anderson with six, while senior Captain Shaniell Jenkins added 2.5 sacks on the day giving him a team leading 10.5 on the season.
Mountain East Conference commissioner presents conference trophy to Shepherd University Football Coach Monte Cater after Saturdays game.
The Rams will find out their playoff fate tomorrow during the NCAA division 2 selection show at 5 p.m. Fans are invited to join the team in the Frank Center auditorium to see who the Rams will play first in their quest for a national championship.