SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Sophomore running back Allen Cross (Elkridge, Md./Long Reach) rushed 25 times for 156 yards and a touchdown, while redshirt-freshman running back Jabre Lolley (Wilmington, Del./St. Marks) added 17 carries for 104 yards and two scores to lead Shepherd University to a 28-9 win over University of Charleston in MEC football action at Ram Stadium on Saturday.

Charleston took a 3-0 lead on a 45-yard field goal by Puma Nuredini with 8:56 left in the first quarter.

Shepherd took a 7-3 lead when redshirt-freshman C.J. Davis (Hagerstown, Md./Hagerstown) fielded a punt and raced 62 yards to the Charleston one-yard line where he was stripped by Nathaniel Berry. Davis recovered the fumble in the end zone for a score with 23 seconds left in the first quarter. Sophomore kicker Ryan Earls (Stevensville, MD/Kent Island) added the extra point.

Charleston took a 9-7 lead with 9:36 left in the third quarter when John Knox teamed with Joey Augustin on a six-yard scoring pass. Nuredini's point after attempt was blocked by senior defensive lineman Mike Franklin (Silver Spring, Md./Long Reach).

Shepherd scored on a one-yard run by Lolley with 3:58 left in the third quarter to take a 14-9 advantage.

The Rams took a 21-9 lead when Cross scored on a five-yard run with one second left in the third quarter.

Lolley added a four-yard scoring run with 9:14 left in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

Junior quarterback Trae Tinsman (Winchester, Va./James Wood) connected on 6-of-14 passes for 53 yards for the Rams. Leak completed 21-of-31 passes for 154 yards for the Golden Eagles.

Senior wide receiver Robert Byrd (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac) had four receptions for 32 yards to pace the Rams, while Augustin had five catches for 49 yards to lead UC.

Leighton Settle had 11 carries for 71 yards to lead the Charleston ground game.

Shepherd gained 327 yards of total offense, while Charleston had 240. Shepherd limited Charleston to 86 yards on the ground.

Senior linebacker Dominique Dixon (Westover, WV/University) and junior outside linebacker De'Ontre Johnson (Upper Marlboro, Md./Dr. Henry A. Wise) each recorded eight tackles to lead the Rams. Justin Avery had a game-high 10 tackles for the Golden Eagles.

Shepherd improves to 5-0, 4-0 in MEC action, while Charleston drops to 2-3, 2-1. The Rams return to action next Saturday when they travel to UVa-Wise for a noon conference matchup.