Box Score
ATHENS, W.Va. – Redshirt-freshman quarterback Jeff Ziemba (Newark, Del./St. Marks) completed 14-of-15 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns, all to junior wide receiver Justin Ford (Lusby, Md./Patuxent), to lead Shepherd University to a 41-33 win over Concord in MEC football action at Callaghan Stadium on Saturday. The win clinches the inaugural Mountain East Conference title for the Rams.
Shepherd took a 6-0 lead when redshirt-freshman Jabre Lolley (Wilmington, Del./St. Marks) scored on a six-yard run with 9:07 left in the first quarter. Concord blocked the extra point and Josh Clark returned it for two points to cut the lead to 6-2.
The Rams increased their lead to 13-2 minutes later when Ziemba teamed with Ford on a 31-yard scoring strike. Sophomore kicker Ryan Earls (Stevensville, MD/Kent Island) added the extra point.
Lolley added a five-yard touchdown with 3:27 left in the half to increase the lead to 20-2.
Dalton Brindo connected with Javon McGill on a 63-yard score with 1:37 left in the first quarter to cut the lead to 20-9.
Ziemba teamed with Ford on a 45-yard scoring pass with 47 seconds left in the half to give the Rams a 27-9 advantage at halftime.
Andy Ellington connected on a 40-yard field goal for the Mountain Lions with 8:26 left in the third quarter to open the second half scoring.
Brian Novak teamed with Shaun Workinger on a four-yard scoring pass with 5:23 left in the third quarter to cut the lead to 27-19.
Sophomore running back Allen Cross (Elkridge, Md./Long Reach) scored on a nine-yard run with 1:07 left in the third quarter to give the Rams a 34-19 lead.
Novak teamed with Tiko Henderson on a 33-yard score to cut the lead to 34-26 with 6:01 left in the fourth quarter.
Shepherd answered back when Ziemba and Ford teamed on a 32-yard scoring pass with 1:41 left in the game.
Novak scored on a seven-yard run with 44 seconds left for the Mountain Lions to complete the scoring.
Novak completed 17-of-28 passes for 239 yards for Concord.
Lolley rushed for a game-high 103 yards on 25 carries, while Cross added 78 yards on 20 carries. Calvinaugh Jones had 18 carries for 73 yards for the Mountain Lions.
Ford had four receptions for 108 yards to lead the Rams. Henderson had five catches for 113 yards to lead Concord.
Shepherd gained 409 yards of total offense, while Concord totaled 408.
Junior outside linebacker Levi Barber (Alexandria, Va./Edison) recorded 10 tackles to lead the Rams. Jake Lilly had 12 tackles to lead the Mountain Lions.
Shepherd improves to 10-0, 9-0 in MEC action, while Concord falls to 8-3, 7-2. The Rams await word on postseason seeding. The Division II Football Selection show will air at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Shepherd will host a viewing event at the Wellness Center at that time.
Notes: Shepherd recorded its fourth undefeated regular season with the victory joining the 1955, 2005, and 2006 teams.
Box Score
Monte Cater addresses the 2013 MEC champions.
2013 Mountain East Conference champions!
Monte Cater with MEC commissioner Reid Amos.
Justin Ford had three touchdowns catches on the day.
Jeff Ziemba and Justin Ford celebrate.
Jeremy Overfelt exchanges a postgame handshake with a Concord player.
Postgame video clip courtesy of Sandy Collier
