SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Redshirt freshman running back
Ian Mauldin (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) rushed 15 times for 77 yards and three scores to lead Shepherd University to a 34-26 win over #14/16 Frostburg State in football action at Ram Stadium in the season opener for both schools.
The Bobcats stook a 3-0 lead on a 37-yard field goal by Tyler Cook with 8:15 left in the first quarter.
The Rams answered back on a one-yard plunge by Mauldin as time expired in the first quarter to take a 7-3 lead.
Mauldin added another one-yard score with 14:48 left in the second quarter to up the lead to 14-3.
Sophomore defensive back
D'Myo Hunter (Culpeper, Va./Blue Ridge School) returned a punt 64 yards for a score with 12:34 left in the second quarter, and Mauldin scored on a two-yard plunge with 3:44 left in the second quarter as the Rams took a 28-3 lead into the break.
The Bobcats scored 16 straight points in the third quarter to open the second half on a one-yard run by KJ Smothers, a safety on a botched punt attempt, and a 31-yard pass from Jordan Brooks to Ray Adames to cut the lead to 28-19.
Shepherd got a five-yard scoring pass from graduate student quarterback
Michael Hardyway (Winchester, Cal./Oceanside/Bucknell) to senior wide receiver
Carrington Nickens-Yzer (Clifton, Va./Centreville) with 9:19 left in the fourth quarter.
The Bobcats closed out scoring on a 33-yard pass from Brooks to Adames with 1:52 left in the game.
Hardyway completed 11-of-23 passes for 91 yard. Brooks connected on 30-of-45 passes for 313 yards.
Nicken-Yzer had seven catches for 60 yards for the Rams. Adames had six receptions for 125 yards to pace the Bobcats.
Sophomore linebacker
Tyvon Callaway-Toles (Fort Washington, Md./Dr. Henry A. Wise) led the Shepherd defense with eight stops (four solos). Sophomore linebacker
Noel Norman-Williams (Severn, Md./Old Mill) and Hunter each added seven tackles. Hunter added a 36-yard interception return to set up a score. Amari Jackson had six tackles for the Bobcats.
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Gannon for a noon contest.
