SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – The Concord University football team dropped a 61-21 decision to Shepherd Saturday afternoon in Mountain East Conference play at Ram Stadium.
Both teams started fast as three touchdowns were posted in the first quarter. SU (3-1, 3-1 MEC) got the first two scores on the board, and staked out to a 13-0 lead with 4:13 remaining in the first quarter.
The Mountain Lions (1-4, 1-4 MEC) answered with a quick five-play, 75-yard drive that took just 1:33 off the clock. Sophomore wide receiver
Tywan Pearce took a reverse at the 20-yard line and raced across the goal line for a touchdown to trim the deficit to 13-7.
After a Shepherd touchdown, the Mountain Lions were staring at a 13-point deficit, but CU would get closer in the second quarter after a snap went over Ruan Venter's head—the punter for Shepherd—causing a safety.
SU's Ryan Feiss caught one of his three touchdowns on the afternoon with 7:04 left on the second quarter timer, but the final 10 points of the first half belonged to Concord.
Pearce was on the receiving end of a 63-yard touchdown strike from junior quarterback
Kyle Akin to cut the deficit to 27-16. On the ensuing drive, the Mountain Lion defense was able to force a quick three-and-out, and a stellar punt return from senior defensive back
Chaudlier Shepherd set CU up inside Shepherd territory with just 38 seconds left in the first half.
Akin was able to complete a 22-yard pass to freshman running back
Kris Copeland down to the Shepherd 16-yard line to set up freshman kicker
Luke Walls who converted a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make it a 27-19 disadvantage for CU at halftime.
The Rams scored 34 of the 36 points in the second half as they opened up the third quarter by scoring on their first three drives.
Concord's two points of the second half was a blocked point after try that was returned by C. Shepherd for a conversion. The block came from junior defensive back
Ke'Shawn Hall.
Pearce snared four passes for a career-best 92 yards and a receiving score. Pearce's first quarter rushing touchdown was the first of his career.
Copeland hauled in three catches for 65 yards. Akin was the leading ground gainer for the Mountain Lions as he rushed nine times for 47 yards. Akin was 7-for-18 for 152 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Senior linebacker
Zach Malone tallied 14 tackles on the afternoon while Hall finished in double figures in tackles for the second time this season, posting 10 tackles.
The Mountain Lions host Glenville State 1:00 p.m. next Saturday on Homecoming in Athens.
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