Rams get revenge, route Hawks in Super Region One Final!

Tagged under: Game Photos, Gameday Hub, Pennsylvania Colleges, Playoffs

Greg Ricupero | December 3, 2022

Rams get revenge, route Hawks in Super Region One Final!

NCAA Division 2 Playoffs Quarterfinals

Shepherd Rams (12-1) at

IUP Crimson Hawks (10-1)

The Rams came to Indiana looking for some payback and they got some and more with a impressive 48-13 victory on a very windy day. They say it is hard to beat a good team twice in the same season and Shepherd is a good team. IUP usually wins by playing tough run defense, running the ball on offense and throwing play action while controlling the clock. They did all three when they beat the Rams three weeks ago for the PSAC Championship. But as well as IUP played they only won 24-21. Fast forward to today.

After holding the Rams to a three and out, IUP drove 53 yards in 9 plays. Mak Sexton hit Cole Laney for a 7-0 lead. That’s the same way the championship game started. The script changed drastically three plays later when Tyson Bagent found a wide open Rodney Dorsett for a 71 yard touchdown. There appeared to be some kind of blown coverage as Dorsett catch the short pass and raced down the right sideline, there was no defensive players on that side of the field. There also seemed like someone threw a switch. The momentum had changed and Shepherd never looked back. The wind which was gusting all day played a big part in the game. The passing and kicking games were greatly effected. Seven of the nine touchdowns were scored with the wind. The two scores going into the wind were Bagent’s first touchdown pass and a pick six. The game remained tied for the next 14 minutes. IUP had two punts, an interception and turn over on downs in four possessions. Shepherd punted on all three of their possessions. You just felt like it was going to be the Rams day. They were able to run the ball all day. Ronnie Brown had a great day with three touchdowns, two on the ground and one receiving. Brown had only 32 yards in eight carries the last time they meet. Today he had 137 yards on 27 carries. The two big differences between the games was the ground game and turnovers. In the first matchup the Hawks out rushed the Rams 184-53 and Bagent threw two picks. Today the Rams out rushed IUP 141-39 and Sexton threw the two picks. Following two very short IUP punts, the Rams scored twice before the half. The scoring drives covered just 44 and 55 yards. Bagent threw his second and third touchdowns to two more wide open receivers. Cameron Dorner and Brian Walker did the honors. It was 21-7 at the half.

IUP down two scores want the ball, so the Rams got the wind. On the second play of the half the Hawks fumbled and the route was on. The Rams drove 30 yards in four plays with Brown scoring the first of his three touchdowns. On the next series IUP snapped the ball over the punters head. The Rams went 21 yards in four plays with Brown scoring his second touchdown. IUP would punt on its next possession and the Rams would go 69 yards in six plays with Brown scoring his third. Sexton would be picked off to start the fourth quarter and Klayton Batten returned it for six. IUP would score a meaningless late touchdown and their season was over. Final Shepherd 48 IUP 13

SUR  7-14-21- 6=48

IUP   7-  0-  0- 6=13

I-Cole Laney 18 pass from Mak Sexton xp Nick Andrasi 8:35 (0-7)

S-Rodney Dorsey 71 pass from Tyson Bagent xp Jacob Haynie 7:33 (7-7)

S-Cameron Dorner 18 pass from Bagent xp Haynie 5:35 (14-7)

S-Brian Walker 17 pass from Bagent xp Haynie 1:09 (21-7)

S-Ronnie Brown 4 run xp Haynie 12:11 (28-7)

S-Brown 17 pass from Bagent xp Haynie 8:03 (35-7)

S-Brown 2 run xp Haynie xp Haynie 4:25 (42-7)

S-Klayton Batten 28 interception return xp ng 14:12 (48-7)

I-Duane Brown 3 pass from Sexton xp ng 7:55 (48-13)

Notes-All four #1 seeds are eliminated.

-Duane Brown scored his 50th career touchdown.

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