Box Score
FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Shepherd University used a pair of fourth quarter scores to pull away for a 27-7 win over Fairmont State in Mountain East Conference football action at Duvall-Rosier Field on Saturday.
Fairmont State took a 7-0 lead with 9:32 left in the second quarter as TC Chestnut recovered a fumble in the end zone by teammate Jacob Jean-Charles, who had returned an interception to the Shepherd three-yard line.
Shepherd tied the game at 7-7 when redshirt-freshman running back Jabre Lolley (Wilmington, Del./St. Marks) scored on a three-yard run with 2:41 left in the second quarter. Sophomore kicker Ryan Earls (Stevensville, MD/Kent Island) added the extra point.
Junior quarterback Trae Tinsman (Winchester, Va./James Wood) rolled right and connected with senior tight end Anthony Weisenmiller (Cumberland, Md./Fort Hill) on a one-yard scoring pass with 39 seconds left in the half to give the Rams 13-7 lead at the break.
The score was set up when Shepherd forced a turnover as senior defensive end Howard Jones (Woodbridge, Va./Freedom) forced a fumble that was recovered by senior defensive lineman Mike Franklin (Silver Spring, Md./Long Reach) at the Fairmont 12-yard line.
Shepherd took a 20-7 lead when sophomore running back Allen Cross (Elkridge, Md./Long Reach) scored on a one-yard run with 14:57 left in the fourth quarter.
Shepherd sealed the win when junior outside linebacker Levi Barber (Alexandria, Va./Edison) picked up a fumble and raced 89 yards for a score with 1:01 remaining in the game.
Tinsman completed 5-of-14 passes for 23 yards and a touchdown, while Cooper Hibbs hit on 19-of-42 for 155 yards for the Falcons.
Senior wide receiver Robert Byrd (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac) led the Shepherd receivers with two receptions for 20 yards. Chris St. Hilaire had seven receptions for 58 yards to lead Fairmont State.
Lolley led all rushers with 17 carries for 70 yards. Dawrence Roberts had 20 carries for 51 yards to lead the Falcons.
Shepherd managed just 171 yards of total offense, while Fairmont had 251 yards of total offense. The Falcons had only 52 rushing yards.
Junior outside linebacker De'Ontre Johnson (Upper Marlboro, Md./Dr. Henry A. Wise) led the defense with eight tackles (seven solo), while Barber added seven solo stops. Lance Fullwood had a game-high 10 tackles (nine solo) for Fairmont State.
Shepherd improves to 2-0, 1-0 in MEC play, while Fairmont State falls to 1-1, 0-1. The Rams return to action next Saturday when they Urbana for a noon contest at Ram Stadium.
Notes: The Shepherd win evens the Shepherd-Fairmont series at 32-32-7. The Rams won their fifth straight game in the series. Shepherd opens play in the Mountain East Conference with a victory.
Levi Barber returned a fumble recovery 89 yards for a score.
Ryan Earls adds the extra point.
Mike Haynes on the gain for the Rams.
Jabre Lolley ran for a touchdown on this play.
