Shepherd University Athletics

SHEPHERD DEFEATS WESLEYAN, 41-25

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University snapped West Virginia Wesleyan's 16-game conference winning streak with a 41-25 win over the defending conference champions in WVIAC football action on Homecoming at Ram Stadium on Saturday.

Senior running back Alex Herbert (Monrovia, MD/Urbana HS) scored on a 10-yard run with 11:20 left in the first quarter to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.

The Bobcats answered back on a 17-yard scoring pass from junior quarterback Marc Kimes (Vienna, WV/Parkersburg HS) to senior wide receiver Raschid Smith (Baltimore, MD/SUNY Morrisville) with 2:10 left in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7.

Herbert scored on a three-yard plunge with 9:50 left in the second quarter to give the Rams a 14-7 lead. The Rams extended their lead to 21-17 when senior quarterback Leonard Ferguson (Baltimore, MD/Dunbar HS) teamed with sophomore wide receiver Rodney Jackson (Severn, MD/Meade HS) on a 20-yard score with 2:21 left in the half.

The Bobcats answered back quickly when Kimes and Smith combined on a 56-yard scoring strike with 2:00 left in the half. Sophomore defensive lineman Nick Costello (Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard HS) blocked the extra point attempt and Shepherd took a 21-13 advantage into the break.

Senior defensive back Fredy Del Villar (Germantown, MD/Seneca Valley HS) picked off a Kimes pass and raced 72 yards for a score with 10:31 left in the third quarter to extend the Ram lead to 28-13.

Sophomore kicker/punter Ricky Schmitt (Virginia Beach, VA/Salem HS) nailed a 33-yard field to up the Rams lead to 31-13 with 4:00 left in the third quarter.

Herbert, who rushed for a game-high 112 yards on 33 carries, scored his third touchdown of the day on a six-yard run with 12:29 left in the fourth quarter.

Kimes and Smith teamed on their third scoring play of the day on a 13-yard pass with 10:34 left in the game. The two-point attempt failed.

Schmitt added 20-yard field goal to give the Rams a 41-19 lead with 5:21 remaining.

Kimes connected with sophomore tight end Brad Wilt (Salem. WV/Doddridge County HS) on a five-yard pass for the game's final score.

Kimes set a school record for passing yards as he completed 23-of-48 passes for 435 yards and four scores. Ferguson became just the eighth player in Shepherd history to pass for over 300 yards as he connected on 19-of-36 for 307 yards.

Smith led the Bobcats with six receptions for 174 yards, while senior wide receiver Jesse Correll (Port Republic, MD/Calvert HS) paced the Ram receivers with five catches for 147 yards.

Shepherd improves to 5-3 overall, 5-0 in conference play, while West Virginia Wesleyan drops to 6-3, 4-1. The Rams return to action next Saturday when they host Concord for a 1:00 p.m. contest.

Box Score