Brown

SHEPHERDSTOWN — In a bristling game with momentum changes, swaying emotions and draining penalties, it was Shepherd University that scored the final 13 points to carry its unbeaten record to another week, when it edged California University of Pennsylvania, 26-23, in overtime.

The 5,634 fans in bright sunshine at Ram Stadium witnessed strings of 13 straight points by Shepherd, then 23 consecutive points by visiting California and finally held their collective breath, as the Rams counted the game’s last 13 points in the fourth quarter and overtime session.

Leading 23-20, California had possession, with just 1:53 remaining in regulation. The clock still read 1:22, after Shepherd had used a timeout and the Vulcans threw two incomplete passes to relinquish control to the Rams.

Facing a fourth down, Ram quarterback Tyson Bagent scrambled away from a forceful rush and ran for 18 yards and a life-giving first down. Then with only 47 seconds showing and a fractious third-and-21 situation, Bagent found Marlon Cook for the receiver’s eighth catch of the day at the Vulcan 20. It was fourth down. Time for one more play.

But the Rams were penalized five yards for a false start. They would attempt a 42-yard field goal on the final play of regulation.

Haynie

Jacob Haynie sent the roller coaster game into overtime, with his successful boot.

In the overtime, California had the first possession and could not find a first down against the pursuing Shepherd defense. The hard-pressed Vulcans attempted a 34-yard field goal that sailed wide right — keeping the count at 23-23 and giving Shepherd its first opportunity in the overtime.

Three Bagent completions brought the Rams to the Vulcan eight, but it was second down. Ronnie Brown, who gave Shepherd a very early 6-0 lead with a 73-yard pass/run score, was stopped twice on his runs between the tackles.

It was fourth down and goal from the five. With the football on the left hashmark, Haynie faced a difficult angle, if he were to make a field goal attempt that would end the lengthy afternoon with a Shepherd win.

Haynie hammered his effort straight through the middle of the uprights, giving Shepherd a three-point win and bringing an onslaught of Shepherd players rushing from the packed sideline to begin a raucous and joyous celebration to Ram Stadium’s artificial turf.

Cook

Shepherd had been down by 10 points, with only 9:56 to play. And the survivalist Rams still prevailed, moving to 3-0 overall and seeing rock-ribbed Kutztown straight ahead tomorrow on the road, in what could be a season-altering game for both teams. Kutztown, which split two games with Shepherd in 2021, is currently 2-1 overall.

The 504 yards of total offense that Shepherd managed, came spiced with 25 first downs and Bagent’s 33-for-53 passing stats and three touchdowns.

Marlon Cook had eight receptions for 168 yards and a score. Brian Walker caught six passes for 99 yards and Brown showed four receptions for 91 yards and his long-range score.

California’s Noah Mitchell was 23-for-41 for 252 yards, with receiver JaQuae Jackson grabbing 12 of those completions for 170 yards and two scores.

Neither team could receive much acclaim with their respective ground games — Shepherd had but 14 yards and the Vulcans were just a short step ahead, with 68 yards.

Walker

The Ram defense was best represented by Devon Lynch, with his 11 tackles, and Klayton Batten, with six stops.

Both sides made life perilous for the quarterbacks, with Bagent being sacked five times and throwing while scrambling away from a pressing rush on other attempts, and Mitchell getting sacked twice and running on broken plays for no gain or only a yard or two.

Shepherd led 13-0. California then surged through the middle quarters to take a 23-13 lead. And then, Shepherd roused its large and encouraging crowd with the last 13 points . . . and a loudly celebrated 26-23 win.

Bagent