Sunday, October 23, 2011

Rams top Yellow Jackets

This past Saturday was homecoming for Shepherd University and the visiting West Virginia State Yellow Jackets looked to spoil the day.

It did not take long for the Rams to score the game’s first touchdown. Just 1:55 into the first quarter, senior running back Tommy Addison took the goaline handoff and leaped into the endzone to give the Rams the early 7-0 lead.

After a botched punt, the Ram offense would start on the 50 yard line. Tommy Addison was once again the featured player. He took the handoff three times and even had one reception. Addison capped off the drive with another touchdown run. With just over eight minutes left in the first quarter and the early 14 point lead, it looked as though the Rams were going to run away with the game.

The only blunder in the first half for the Rams came on the Yellow Jackets one yard line. When running back Kenny Williams took the handoff on the goaline he was met at the line and fumbled into the endzone which was recovered by the Yellow Jackets.

There would be no need to worry about the turnover, however, as the always tough Ram defense forced a 3-and-out. After a mediocre punt, the Ram offense would take the field at its own 44 yard line.

The focus of the Ram offense in the first half was Tommy Addison. Addison took the handoff 5 times on this second quarter drive but could not quite get it done. Kicker Eric Dobratz would line up and knock down a 36 yard field goal to give the Rams the 17-0 lead at halftime.

A brief halftime stat: the Ram offense ran 47 plays and totaled 308 yards in the first half alone.

In the third quarter the Ram special teams got in on all the fun. William McKenzie came flying off the edge and blocked the Yellow Jacket punt which was returned by Levi Barber for a Ram touchdown.

Later in the quarter the Rams would showcase their passing attack. After a 13 yard punt return from D.J. Scott, the Shepherd offense took the field on the West Virginia State 32 yard line. It only took them one play to score as quarterback Bobby Cooper connected with Larry Lowe for a 32 yard touchdown.

The Yellow Jackets lone touchdown came at the end of the third quarter with a 2 yard touchdown run from LeFloyd Phillip.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Kenny Williams would get his chance at redemption. After relying on Williams for much of the drive, the offense turned to him to finish the drive off. Williams took the handoff on the Yellow Jacket one yard line and plowed his way into the endzone for the Rams final touchdown.

The final score came to be the Shepherd University Rams 37 and the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets 7.

Tommy Addison finished the day with 17 carries for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kenny Williams finished the day with 12 carries for 90 yards and 1 touchdown. Addison also contributed to the passing game with 3 receptions for 48 yards.

Bobby Cooper finished the day going 16-22 with 219 yards and 1 touchdown. Cooper also had 11 carries for 40 yards.

Neal Hardie led the way for the receivers with 4 receptions for 53 yards. Robert Byrd finished with 3 receptions for 65 yards. Larry Lowe scored the passing attacks only touchdown and also had 3 receptions for 35 yards.

The Ram offense finished the day with 443 yards of total offense. The defense held the Yellow Jackets to just 133 yards.

Elijah Davis led the defense with 7 total tackles. Leons Kabongo had an interception as well as 5 tackles. Mike Franklin and Corey Washington both had 4 tackles.

Kicker Eric Dobratz broke Shepherd University’s scoring record with an extra point in the fourth quarter.

The Rams improved to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the WVIAC.

This coming Saturday the Rams will be facing Bowie State in Shepherds final home game. Kickoff is at noon, but, be sure to get there early and support the senior football players on Senior Day.

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