Barry Hill pulls in a 30 touchdown pass from Seth Morgan for Shepherd University's last score in their victory over PSAC foe Shippensburg University on Saturday. David Pennock

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Instead of attempting to win a conference game with only a marginal “time of possession,” where it could only watch as Kutztown University maintained a game-winning strategy the week before, homestanding Shepherd University had enough possessions to defeat Shippensburg University, 30-23, last Saturday to improve its record to 4-1 overall.

However, the 115 yards in penalties the Rams endured made the sun-splashed afternoon more bothersome than it needed to be.

While the Red Raiders kept close on the accurate field goal efforts of Jaxson Montross, Shepherd made do with its spiced variety of quarterback Seth Morgan (22-of 31 passing for 254 yards), a run-stopping defense, enough rushing yardage from Malakai Brown and ways to keep its offense on duty for more time.

With a 16-6 lead by halftime, the Rams gave themselves some room for error in the evenly played second half.

And Shippensburg stayed in contact by using several long passes, Shepherd’s 15-yard penalties and a necessary pass rush against Morgan’s efforts.

Nazhir Russell leans over the goal line for a Shepherd University touchdown on Saturday afternoon. David Pennock

The Rams also peppered Raider redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Stoner with a pass rush that saw him sacked five times and forced to flee from trouble as often as not. Interior linemen Jack Baxter and Matt Bednarski both had two sacks against the often-hurried left-handed thrower.

Shippensburg (left with a 1-4 record) was successful enough to make it a testy and uncomfortable day for the Rams, who were beating their rival for the 12th time in the last 13 meetings.

Leading, 30-16, the Rams could withstand Shippensburg’s last TD drive that was finished when Stoner scrambled five yards for a score with only 14 seconds to play.

Much-improved Lock Haven awaits Shepherd tomorrow at 1 p.m. in another conference game. The usually docile Bald Eagles have already won three times and will be hoping to catch the Rams being a little complacent after winning again following the only seasonal loss to first-place Kutztown. The long-range weather forecast made on Monday for Lock Haven, was predicting the sort of rain that dulled Shepherd considerably against Kutztown.

Shepherd University defensive back Naeem Alexander breaks up a pass to Jaimen Bryant of Shippensburg University on Saturday afternoon. David Pennock