Scott

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Injuries and a mostly inconsistent offense have kept Shepherd University from doing much scoring in the season’s first three games.

Even without a lengthy highlight film of touchdown celebrations, the Rams are still 2-1 overall after a last-minute flourish of interception-return scores finally sent visiting PennWest Clarion down to a 27-9 defeat at Monte Cater Field last Saturday.

Leading by a scant 14-9 margin and with Clarion in possession, the Rams’ defense made a last-minute splurge of two interception-return scores to wash away lingering doubts about them winning on the humid and physically taxing afternoon.

Clarion still had a realistic chance, with only about a minute to play.

But Ram defenders Miles Greer and Cole Scott stole passes and both bolted into the Golden Eagle end zone for Shepherd’s final points.

Greer

Shepherd’s defense had claimed ownership of the afternoon much earlier, but the team’s mere 14 points had not done enough to keep Clarion from chasing a win.

In a quick change of game-outcome concern, Greer made his interception and TD return to bring a collective relief to any Shepherd rooter among the crowd of 4,291.

Then on the afternoon’s final play, Scott had his theft in hand and sped a cheered-on 79 yards to more points as the scoreboard clock clicked off the last few seconds.

In a matter of a few blinks, Shepherd had nearly doubled its point total and was able to post a win that should help it carry some positive feelings the short distance up I-81 to Shippensburg for tomorrow’s 1 p.m. conference game.

In the opening half, a 35-yard TD carry by Barry Hill had Shepherd in front, 7-0. A Clarion field goal shortened the lead to 7-3, before both Jordan Barnett and Malakai Brown lost Shepherd fumbles deep in Ram territory.

Shepherd’s staunch defense did not cede a point, either time a fumble was lost. It had established itself as the game’s most reliable force.

There was no more scoring in a first half where both teams showed off their effective punters.

Quarterback Lek Powell used effective protection to find receiver Cam Dorner alone for an 85-yard pass/run TD that allowed the Rams some additional room with a 14-3 lead.

Clarion’s only scoring drive of the day had it going 76 yards to make the mood for Ram people even more prickly as the count dissolved some to a 14-9 Shepherd advantage because the Rams intercepted the two-point conversion attempt.

All the previous happenings were wrapped together in keeping the game’s outcome still in doubt.

Ryan Barrick’s last punt had the Golden Eagles stationed a long way from winning as it pinned the visitors back on their own 10.

The still-tormenting Ram defense registered its sixth sack. With just 1:15 remaining, on fourth down, more pressure helped force a desperate throw over the middle that Greer accepted and ran in for six points. It was a tension-easing, 21-9, lead.

Scott grabbed another Shepherd interception and did not stop running until the scoreboard had been emptied of playing time.

Clarion had been limited to 66 rushing yards and 263 yards of total offense. Shepherd had added the names of Brodie Carroll, Elijah Queen and Geo-Di Tolbert to its growing list of able defenders.

Defense was the sweated-soaked champion against Clarion. And Shepherd was readying for the list of seven PSAC East teams it was going to meet.