Courtesy of Shepherd Athletics
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Senior fullback Bobby Humphries (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson) ran three times for 90 yards and a pair of scores and junior running back Nate Hoyte (Waldorf, MD/McDonough) added 16 carries for 93 yards and a score to lead Shepherd University to a 35-27 at SU Student Association Field at Seth Grove Stadium on Saturday in the Great Valley Classic.
Shepherd took a 7-0 lead on the opening drive when senior quarterback Kevin Clancy (Westminster, MD/Westminster) teamed with junior wide receiver Nikkolai Norrell (Richmond, VA/Hermitage) on a 17-yard scoring strike to cap a nine-play, 65-yard drive with 10:20 left in the first quarter. Junior kicker Eric Dobratz (Woodbridge, VA/Potomac) added the extra point.
Hoyte scored on a 46-yard jaunt with 1:04 left in the first quarter to increase the Shepherd lead to 14-0.
Shippensburg cut the lead to 14-7 when Roshaan McCain scored on a four-yard run with 6:05 left in the second quarter. The score was set up by an interception return by Vinnie Ranauto that gave the Red Raiders possession on the Shepherd 35-yard line.
The Red Raiders tied the game at 14-a11 with 1:13 left in the half on a 41-yard pass from Steven Adams to Bryan Barley.
Shepherd took a 21-14 lead with 4:05 remaining in the third quarter when Clancy teamed with junior wide receiver Robert Byrd (Alexandria, VA/Troy) on a 33-yard scoring pass on a fourth-and eight play.
Shippensburg answered back on a 50-yard scoring pass from Adams to Taimur Harris with 13 seconds left in the third quarter. The extra point attempt was blocked by redshirt-freshman Mike Franklin (Elkridge, Md/Long Reach).
Shepherd took a 28-20 lead with 12:17 left in the fourth quarter when senior fullback Bobby Humphries (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson) rambled 20 yards for a score.
A 66-yard jaunt by Humphries with 3:07 left in the game gave Shepherd a 35-20 advantage.
The Red Raiders came back on a 35-yard scoring pass from Adams to Barley with 2:12 left in the game.
Shippensburg’s onside kick attempt went out of bounds and Shepherd ran out the clock to preserve the victory.
Clancy completed 18-of-30 passes for 220 yards and a pair of scores. Adams came off the bench for the Red Raiders to complete 11-of-21 passes for 214 yards and three scores.
Byrd led the Ram receivers with five catches for 94 yards , while Barley had four receptions for a game-high 101 yards for Shippensburg.
Hoyte had 16 carries for 93 yards, while Humphries added three carries for 90 yards. Addison added 72 yards on 11 carries. Mike Frenette had six carries for 40 yards to lead the Red Raiders.
Senior linebacker Brian Taylor (Elkridge, MD/Long Reach) and sophomore free safety Corey Washington (Alexandria, VA/Edison) each recorded a team-high seven tackles for the Rams. Cody Fleming had a game-high 11 stops for Shippensburg.
Shepherd amassed 532 yards of total offense while Shippensburg gained 346. The Rams held a 35:46 to 24:14 advantage in time of possession.
The Rams return to action on September 11 when they host St. Joseph’s (IN) in the home opener for Ram Gridiron Club Day/ Military Appreciation Day. Kickoff will be at noon.