SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (3-0) scored 21 unanswered points en route to a 28-7 win over California (Pa.) (2-1) in football action at Ram Stadium on Saturday,
Cal capped a four-play, 65-yard drive with a five-yard scoring run by Bobbie Boyd Jr. with 12:59 left in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead.
Shepherd tied the game when graduate student quarterback
Michael Hardyway (Winchester, Cal./Oceanside/Bucknell) teamed with senior wide receiver
Daryl Harper (Frederick, Md./Northwest) on a 45-yard scoring pass with 12:01 left in the first quarter.
The Rams took the lead for good when Hardway and Harper combined on a 21-yard scoring strike with 33 seconds left in the third quarter.
Shepherd added a pair of fourth-quarter scores to seal the victory.
Sophomore defensive back
Amarian Manuel (Berlin, Md./Stephen Decatur) blocked a Cal punt and freshman outside linebacker
Corey Lawrence (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) returned it 11 yards for a score with 9:36 remaining. Freshman running back
Noah Mitchell (Glen Burnie, Md./Glen Burnie) added a two-yard plunge with 2:14 left to complete the scoring.
Hardyway completed 14-of-25 passes for 182 yards and a pair of scores. Eric Gibson connected on 25-of-38 passes for 165 yards for the Vulcans.
Harper added four grabs for 100 yards to lead the Shepherd receivers. Kenny Lewis IV had 10 receptions for 87 yards for Cal.
Redshirt freshman running back
Tijuan Reed (Baltimore, Md./Forest Park) led all rushers with 12 carries for 89 yards. Mitchell added 10 carries for 62 yards. Boyd had 16 carries for 66 yards for the Vulcans.
Shepherd amassed 349 yards of total offense while Cal totaled 272 yards.
Sophomore defensive back
D'Myo Hunter (Culpeper, Va./Blue Ridge School) led the Shepherd defense with 12 tackles (seven solos) and three tackles-for-loss (-10 yards). Junior defensive back
Reggie Snowden (Frederick, Md./Frederick) added a pair of interceptions. Wilfredo Diaz had six stops (four solos) and an interception to pace the Vulcans.
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to Kutztown for a noon contest.
