INSTITUTE, W.Va. – Senior quarterback Kevin Clancy (Westminster, MD/Westminster) completed 18-of-23 passes for a career-high 320 yards and three scores to lead Shepherd University to a 56-19 win over West Virginia State in WVIAC football action at Lakin Field on Saturday. The Rams clinched an outright WVIAC title with the win.

The Rams took a 7-0 lead when junior running back Tommy Addison (Germantown, MD/Quince Orchard) ran one yard for a touchdown with 11:12 remaining in the first quarter. Junior kicker Eric Dobratz (Woodbridge, VA/Potomac) added the extra point. The score was set up by a fumble recovery by redshirt freshman Xavier Tyler (Richmond, VA/Lloyd C. Bird).

State answered back when Ricky Phillips dashed 11 yards for a touchdown with 5:39 left in the first quarter.

Shepherd took a 14-6 lead with junior running back Nate Hoyte (Waldorf, MD/McDonough) scored from two yards out with 2:03 left in the first quarter.

Shepherd increased its lead to 21-6 when Clancy teamed with junior wide receiver Nikkolai Norrell (Richmond, VA/Hermitage) on an eight-yard scoring pass with 13:01 left in the second quarter.

The Rams took a 28-6 advantage with 7:32 left in the second quarter when Clancy and Hoyte teamed up on a 14-yard scoring pass.

Phillips connected with Jermain King on a 20-yard scoring strike with 3:04 left in the second quarter to cut the Shepherd lead to 28-13.

Shepherd took a 35-13 advantage into the break when Clancy fired a 20-yard scoring pass to sophomore wide receiver Larry Lowe (Stafford, VA/Brooke Point).

The Rams increased their lead to 42-13 when senior running back Jimmy Sutch (Hagerstown, MD/St. James) leaped in the end zone from one yard out with 12:59 left in the third quarter. Senior defensive end Bryan Letourneau (Damascus, MD/Damascus) forced a fumble and senior defensive end Will Wheeler (Chantilly,VA/Westfield) made the recovery to set up the score.

Phillips teamed with King on a 20-yard scoring pass to cut the lead to 42-19 with 3:04 left in the third quarter. Craig Wissler’s extra point attempt was blocked by sophomore free safety Corey Washington (Alexandria, VA/Edison).

Shepherd took a 49-19 lead with 13:15 left in the fourth quarter when sophomore defensive back Keon Robinson (Fairfax Station, VA/Lake Braddock) picked off an Phillips pass and raced 45 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.

Shepherd completed the scoring when sophomore quarterback Bobby Cooper (Davidsonville, MD/South River) connected with junior wide receiver Neal Hardie (Alexandria, VA/West Potomac) on a 70-yard scoring pass with 6:50 remaining.

Phillips connected on 25-of-43 passes for 293 yards for the Yellow Jackets.

Addison rushed for 71 yards on 15 carries, while Phillips had 54 yards on 13 carries for West Virginia State.

Shepherd amassed 577 yards of total offense in the game while West Liberty had 372.

Senior tight end Dominique Jones (San Diego, CA/Horizon/Liberty) had six catches for 92 yards to pace the Rams. Jermaine King had 13 receptions for 172 yards for State.

Junior cornerback Elijah Davis (Silver Spring, MD/Wheaton) led the Ram defense with eight tackles (six solo). Nick Mullins had 11 stops for the Yellow Jackets.

Shepherd improves to 9-0, 7-0 in WVIAC play, while West Virginia State falls to 0-8, 0-6.

The Rams are idle until November 13 when they host Glenville State for a noon contest.