Shepherd University defensive lineman Jack Baxter, left, and defensive end Vince Flook, right, fight against members of the Shippensburg University football team for the ball in Ram Stadium on Nov. 1. Photo by David Pennock

SHEPHERDSTOWN — They once promoted the Shepherd University versus Shippensburg University football game as the Great Valley Classic.

But Shepherd has now beaten the Raiders seven times in a row after defusing the Shippensburg offense and topping off its 48-7 win last Saturday with 474 yards of total offense. There is no more mention of any Great Valley Classic.

The Rams’ offensive line opened paths through the Raiders that were at times cavernous and the defensive interior limited the troubled visitors to just seven rushing yards and minimal total offense numbers.

After losing its first four games of the season, Shepherd has now won five straight times. Shippensburg saw its record fall to 2-7 overall.

The Rams fell behind, 7-0, and had offensive problems of their own before finding the right mental frame and some enthusiasm to score the mismatch’s last 48 points.

Shepherd University defensive back Klayton Batten reaches for the ball, alongside a Shippensburg University football player, during the Nov. 1 game in Ram Stadium. Photo by David Pennock

Jordan Barnett ran 15 times, for 162 yards and two scores, as Shepherd became more bullish on the ground as the game moved along. Barnett leads the PSAC in points scored with 84 and in touchdowns with his 14. He benefitted from Shepherd’s effective offensive line that at times tore gaping holes in the Raider interior.

Meanwhile, the Ram defense continually pressured Raider quarterback Riley Gunnels, either sacking him or dissolving his pocket and forcing him to scramble unsuccessfully before floating an incomplete pass.

Once Shepherd found some emotion, the game’s flow on the weather-perfect afternoon was completely on its side. The Rams even recovered a short kickoff and then claimed a long backward pass that was at first ruled by the officials to be an incomplete pass.

Shepherd could forge a 21-7 lead by halftime and then outscore the Raiders 27-0 in the second half.

Gunnels was intercepted twice and Shepherd’s dominate pass rush sacked him four times.

Shippensburg could manage just 107 yards in total offense.

A road game this week at Lock Haven and then a season-closing home date against Seton Hill are Shepherd’s remaining games.

The Rams could complete an unusual ride with four straight losses to begin the 2025 schedule and then reel off seven straight wins to end it.