Muhle
SHEPHERDSTOWN — Coaches and others dabbling in college football like to talk about the importance of “all three parts of a team — offense, defense and special teams.”
All those people were rejoicing over Shepherd University’s ever-changing 28-24 win over West Chester in a PSAC game last Saturday. The Rams’ special teams literally won the day by scoring two of the team’s four touchdowns.
Kordell Batten’s 74-yard broken field punt return and later a blocked punt by the Rams just before the first half closed were the Shepherd highlights.
It was mistake-strewn by both teams throughout the afternoon at Ram Stadium.
Shepherd was penalized 13 times for 132 yards, costing it any real continuity with its offense. West Chester was without its four-year starting quarterback in Jordan Cooper and began with second-teamer Ethan Kohler. Kohler was injured early on and Colin O’Sullivan took over long enough to throw 25 passes, including his last one that was intercepted by Klayton Batten that ended the Golden Rams chances at winning.
Barnett
Shepherd’s performance leaders were Jordan Barnett, the conference’s leading rusher who ground out 132 yards, punter Daishaun Alexander who averaged 50.8 yards on his boots, Nathan Muhle and his eight tackles (four for lost yardage) and uninvited visits to the Golden Rams’ offensive backfield.
The many mistakes by both teams gave the game a chameleon-like complexion with the marginal momentum changing back-and-forth at will.
The total yardage numbers were inconsequential and hardly influenced the outcome.
Shepherd’s second offensive series appeared to be fruitful, but was eventually stymied by a broken play inside the West Chester five.
Scoring first, Shepherd went ahead, 7-0, after Barnett’s running pushed it goalward. Before the opening quarter ended, the homestanding Rams had missed a short field attempt and showed the effects of missing regular place kicker Max Barba.
Alexander
Personal foul and pass interference penalties against Shepherd aided the Golden Rams in their search for points. Kohler — not long for the afternoon because of a leg injury — scored from in close, for the first of West Chester’s scores. A pass interception of a Thomas Hardyway throw that was returned to the Shepherd 13 led to West Chester’s 14-7 lead.
Just before the half closed, West Chester forced an Alexander punt that rolled dead on its own 13.
Instead of accepting its one touchdown lead — and deep in its own territory — the Golden Rams attempted long passes that fell incomplete. Little time had escaped the fading clock and a punt from near its own goal line was necessary. Shepherd’s special team blocked the punt and the Ram offense took control. Barnett scored from the one and it was a 14-14 game after that swirling change of momentum and events.
Kordell Batten’s highlight reel punt-return run past the startled West Chester chasers had Shepherd ahead, 21-14.
A short field goal by the Golden Rams had them back, trailing only 21-17.
A roughing the passer and then a pass interference penalty against Shepherd aided West Chester, before a 10-yard TD pass to a lonesome receiver pushed the Golden Rams to a 24-21 lead.
West Chester was charged with a 15-yard penalty, as Shepherd sought another lead. Hardyway’s pass then found Brown in the front of the Golden Ram end zone . . . and Shepherd moved back ahead, 28-24.
Back down field again came West Chester. A short series of completed passes saw it reach the Shepherd 12. It was then that the game’s penultimate mistake finished the Golden Ram chances. O’Sullivan mishandled a snap and, when he got control of the ball, the called play had broken down. He hurried to his right and threw an ill-advised pass to Klayton Batten, standing all alone.
Batten took a leisurely move down the sideline, seemingly hoping to chase time off the fading clock. He neared the end zone, when he was called for an apparent taunting penalty.
He didn’t score . . . but Shepherd had won, moving its record to 2-4.