Shepherd University Athletics

SHEPHERD SURVIVES FAIRMONT, 14-11

FAIRMONT, W.Va -- Junior free safety Dan Peters (Cresson, PA/Penn Cambria HS) batted away the possible winning touchdown pass intended for Fairmont's Josh Romeo as time expired to help Shepherd University hold off host Fairmont State University, 14-11, in WVIAC football action at Duvall-Rosier Field on Saturday.

Fairmont took a 3-0 lead into halftime when Drew Cochran connected on a 31-yard field goal with 10:34 left in the second quarter.

The Falcon defense limited the Rams to seven rushing yards on 11 carries in the first half. The Falcons rushed for 123 yards on 29 carries -- paced by a 23-carry, 99-yard effort from Wendell Johnson.

Shepherd took a 7-3 lead with 4:27 left in the third quarter when sophomore running back Dervon Wallace (Lusby, MD/Calvert HS/ WV State) scored on a one-yard run. The score was setup by a fumble recovery by junior defensive end Andre Henderson (Bowie, MD/Eleanor Roosevelt HS).

Wallace added a 19-yard scoring jaunt with 9:38 left in the game to give the Rams a 14-3 lead. Junior Rodney Jackson (Severn, MD/ Meade HS) returned a Falcon punt 28 yards to the Falcon 19-yard line put the Rams in scoring position.

The Falcons cut the Ram lead to 14-11 when Marlon Burnette teamed with Josh Romeo on an eight-yard scoring strike with 4:17 left in the contest. The duo teamed again on a two-point scoring pass.

Johnson rushed for a game-high 154 yards on 42 carries for the Falcons. Wallace rushed for 58 yards on 17 carries to lead the Rams.

Junior quarterback Dan Chlebowski (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle-Antrim HS) completed 15-of-23 passes for 122 yards for the Rams. Burnette completed 8-of-18 passes for Fairmont.

Jackson led the Ram receivers with six catches for 48 yards. Robbie Graham had three receptions for 22 yards to lead the Falcons.

Senior inside linebacker Jeremy Bailey (Culpeper, VA/Culpeper HS) had a game-high 10 tackles to lead the Shepherd defense. He had eight solo stops and a pass breakup. Matt Vance had eight tackles (six solo) to lead Fairmont State.

Peters and sophomore Joey Hooks (Montgomery Village, MD/ Watkins Mill HS) each recorded an interception to lead the Ram secondary.

Shepherd, ranked 25th in the latest AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll, improves to 5-0, 2-0 in WVIAC play, while Fairmont State falls to 2-3, 2-1. The Rams return to action next Saturday when they host WVU Tech for a 1:00 p.m contest.

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