| Shepherd Rams football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 | |||
| First season | 1920 | ||
| Athletic director | Chauncey Winbush | ||
| Head coach | Ernie McCook 8th season, 59–18 (.766) | ||
| Stadium | Ram Stadium (capacity: 5,000) | ||
| Location | Shepherdstown, West Virginia | ||
| NCAA division | Division II | ||
| Conference | Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference[1] | ||
| Division | East | ||
| All-time record | 560–339–26 (.619) | ||
| National finalist | |||
| '1(2015) | |||
| Playoff appearances | |||
| '19 1983, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023[2] | |||
| Conference titles | |||
| '22 1955, 1972, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017' | |||
| Conference division titles | |||
| '5 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 2022 | |||
| Rivalries | Frostburg State[3] Shippensburg | ||
| Colors | Blue and gold[4] | ||
| Marching band | RAM Band | ||
| Outfitter | Under Armour | ||
| Website | Shepherd Rams football | ||
TheShepherd Rams football program representsShepherd University incollege football at theNCAA Division II level in thePennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Shepherd has played its home games atRam Stadium since 1959.[5]
Monte Cater served as the head football coach atShepherd University from 1987 to 2017, becoming the winningest coach in both Shepherd and West Virginia college football history. Over his 31 seasons at the helm, Cater compiled a record of 245–93–1, leading the Rams to 17 conference championships and 13 postseason appearances.[6]
Before Cater's arrival, Shepherd had made the postseason only a handful of times. In 1983, the Rams reached the playoffs for the first time in school history, losing toCarson–Newman 42–21 in the opening round of theNAIA playoffs. They returned to the postseason in 1986 and again fell to Carson–Newman, 30–10. In 1991, Shepherd advanced to the playoffs and lost toCentral State 34–22. The Rams finally earned their first-ever postseason win in 1992, defeating Carson–Newman 6–3 before falling toGardner–Webb 22–7 in the next round.[7]
Under Cater's leadership, Shepherd became a dominant program in theWest Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), winning 12 conference titles. When the university transitioned to the newly formedMountain East Conference (MEC) in 2013, Cater continued the program's success, capturing four MEC championships in five seasons.
One of the hallmark seasons of Cater's tenure came in 2015, when Shepherd went 13–1 and reached theNCAA Division II Football Championship game for the first time in program history, ultimately falling toNorthwest Missouri State.[8]
On December 5, 2015, with a win over Slippery Rock in the Super 1 Region Final, Cater achieved his 250th victory as a college football coach.[9]
On January 24, 2018, Cater announced his retirement after 31 seasons at Shepherd. He was replaced by longtime assistantErnie McCook. Cater had been the active wins leader in all levels of college football with 274 career victories. Cater led Shepherd to 13 post season trips, 2 NAIA and 11 NCAA DII. 3 NCAA DII semifinal appearances (2010, 2015 & 2016) and a national championship game appearance in 2015.
On May 31, 2018,Shepherd University accepted an invitation to join thePennsylvania State Athletic Conference as a full-time member, with competition beginning in the 2019–20 academic year. The move came after the PSAC Board of Directors approved the university's admission, expanding the conference's membership and strengthening its footprint in the Mid-Atlantic region.
“We are pleased to welcome the Shepherd Rams to the PSAC family of institutions,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. “Shepherd University brings with it an outstanding athletic and academic tradition, along with a perfect geographic fit for the conference. We’ve made the PSAC even stronger today.”
Shepherd's addition followed the departure ofCheyney University of Pennsylvania, which exited NCAA Division II competition after the 2017–18 season. With Shepherd's arrival, the PSAC maintained its 18-member structure heading into 2019. The Rams joined the PSAC Eastern Division, aligning them withCommonwealth University-Bloomsburg,East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania,Kutztown University of Pennsylvania,Commonwealth University-Lock Haven,Commonwealth University-Mansfield,Millersville University of Pennsylvania,Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, andWest Chester University.[10]
The current head coach isErnie McCook, a 1992 graduate ofWesley College. McCook was elevated to head coach after the retirement of longtime coachMonte Cater.[11] McCook previously served as offensive line coach at Shepherd from 1999 to 2008 and was also the offensive coordinator starting in 2000. McCook was elevated to assistant head coach in 2007. He spent the 2009 season as running game coordinator/tight ends coach atLiberty University, before returning to Shepherd the next season, where he served as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator for the next seven years.
After the 2021 football season, Junior QBTyson Bagent won theHarlon Hill Trophy for most outstanding Division II player, the first Shepherd player to win the award.[12][13]
| Coach | Tenure |
|---|---|
| A. D. Kenamond | 1920 |
| Withrow Legge | 1921–1924 |
| John Newcome | 1925–1941 |
| Cletus Lowe | 1946–1947 |
| Don L. Phillips | 1948–1950 |
| William M. Moore | 1951–1952 |
| Donald E. Fuoss | 1953–1955 |
| Jesse Riggleman | 1956–1966 |
| Roger Parker | 1967–1970 |
| Walter Barr | 1971–1985 |
| Mike Jacobs | 1986 |
| Monte Cater | 1987–2017 |
| Ernie McCook | 2018–present |
Shepherd claims 22 conference championships[16]
| Year | Conference | Coach | Overall record | Conference record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | WVIAC | Donald E. Fuoss | 8–0 | 4–0 |
| 1972 | Walter Barr | 7–3 | 5–0 | |
| 1982 | 7–2–1 | 7–1 | ||
| 1983 | 9–2 | 8–0 | ||
| 1986 | Mike Jacobs | 8–3 | 7–0 | |
| 1988† | Monte Cater | 6–4 | 6–1 | |
| 1991 | 8–3 | 7–0 | ||
| 1992 | 9–3 | 7–0 | ||
| 1994† | 6–4 | 5–1 | ||
| 1997† | 9–1 | 6–0 | ||
| 1998 | 10–2 | 7–0 | ||
| 1999 | 9–2 | 6–0 | ||
| 2004 | 7–3 | 7–0 | ||
| 2005 | 11–1 | 8–0 | ||
| 2006 | 11–1 | 7–0 | ||
| 2007 | 10–2 | 7–1 | ||
| 2010 | 12–2 | 7–1 | ||
| 2012 | 8–3 | 7–1 | ||
| 2013 | Mountain East Conference | 11–1 | 9–0 | |
| 2015 | 13–1 | 10–0 | ||
| 2016 | 13–1 | 10–0 | ||
| 2017 | 10–1 | 10–0 |
† Co-champions
| Year | Division | Coach | CG Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | WVIAC Northern | Walter Barr | Concord | L 7–21 |
| 1977† | N/A lost tiebreaker toWest Virginia Wesleyan | |||
| 1978 | Concord | L 14–35 | ||
| 1980† | Concord | L 0–19 | ||
| 2022 | PSAC East | Ernie McCook | Indiana (PA) | L 21–24 |
† Co-champions
| Year | Player | Class | Position | Date awarded | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tyson Bagent | JR | QB | January 14, 2022 | [17] |
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | Final ranking# | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Rams(West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)(1925–1955) | |||||||||
| 1955 | Shepherd | 8-0 | 4-0 | 1st | |||||
| Shepherd Rams(West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NAIA)(1956–1994) | |||||||||
| 1956 | Shepherd | 6-2 | 4-1 | 3rd | |||||
| 1957 | Shepherd | 3-4 | 2-2 | 6th | |||||
| 1958 | Shepherd | 5-2-1 | 4-0-1 | 2nd | |||||
| 1959 | Shepherd | 4-4 | 3-2 | 2nd (Eastern) | |||||
| 1960 | Shepherd | 5-3 | 2-2 | T-4th (Eastern) | |||||
| 1961 | Shepherd | 5-2 | 1-2 | — | |||||
| 1962 | Shepherd | 7-1-1 | 1-1-2 | 2nd (Eastern) | |||||
| 1963 | Shepherd | 7-1-1 | 2-1-1 | 2nd (Eastern) | |||||
| 1964 | Shepherd | 3-5 | 2-2 | 6th | |||||
| 1965 | Shepherd | 2-5 | 0-3 | — | |||||
| 1966 | Shepherd | 1-8 | 0-4 | 10th | |||||
| 1967 | Shepherd | 3-5 | 1-1 | — | |||||
| 1968 | Shepherd | 2-7 | 0-3 | 10th | |||||
| 1969 | Shepherd | 6-4 | 1-3 | 7th | |||||
| 1970 | Shepherd | 5-5 | 2-2 | 5th | |||||
| 1971 | Shepherd | 7-1-2 | 3-1-2 | 5th | |||||
| 1972 | Shepherd | 7-3 | 5-0 | 1st | |||||
| 1973 | Shepherd | 6-4 | 4-2 | 4th (Northern) | |||||
| 1974 | Shepherd | 2-9 | 1-6 | 4th (Northern) | |||||
| 1975 | Shepherd | 8-3 | 5-2 | 2nd (Northern) | |||||
| 1976 | Shepherd | 10-2 | 4-0 | 1st (Northern) | 5 | ||||
| 1977 | Shepherd | 6-4 | 3-1 | T-1st (Northern) | |||||
| 1978 | Shepherd | 7-4 | 6-3 | T-1st (Northern) | |||||
| 1979 | Shepherd | 5-5 | 5-4 | 4th (Northern) | |||||
| 1980 | Shepherd | 7-3-1 | 6-2-1 | 1st (Northern) | 19 | ||||
| 1981 | Shepherd | 7-2 | 6-2 | 2nd | 16 | ||||
| 1982 | Shepherd | 7-2-1 | 7-1 | 1st | 10 | ||||
| 1983 | Shepherd | 9-2 | 8-0 | 1st | LNAIA Division I Quarterfinal | 5 | |||
| 1984 | Shepherd | 7-3 | 6-2 | 2nd | 16 | ||||
| 1985 | Shepherd | 5-5 | 5-2 | T-2nd | |||||
| 1986 | Shepherd | 8-3 | 7-0 | 1st | LNAIA Division I Quarterfinal | 7 | |||
| 1987 | Shepherd | 4–6 | 3–4 | T–4th | |||||
| 1988 | Shepherd | 6–4 | 6–1 | T–1st | 19 | ||||
| 1989 | Shepherd | 3–7 | 2–4 | T–5th | |||||
| 1990 | Shepherd | 6–3–1 | 4–1–1 | T–2nd | 11 | ||||
| 1991 | Shepherd | 8–3 | 7–0 | 1st | LNAIA Division I Quarterfinal | 6 | |||
| 1992 | Shepherd | 9–3 | 7–0 | 1st | LNAIA Division I Semifinal | 6 | |||
| 1993 | Shepherd | 5–5 | 5–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 1994 | Shepherd | 6–4 | 5–1 | T–1st | 10 | ||||
| Shepherd Rams(West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (Div II)(1995–2012) | |||||||||
| 1995 | Shepherd | 3–7 | 3–4 | 5th | |||||
| 1996 | Shepherd | 7–3 | 5–2 | 3rd | |||||
| 1997 | Shepherd | 9–1 | 6–1 | T–1st | |||||
| 1998 | Shepherd | 10–2 | 7–0 | 1st | LNCAA Division II Quarterfinal | 13 | |||
| 1999 | Shepherd | 9–2 | 6–0 | 1st | LNCAA Division II First Round | 15 | |||
| 2000 | Shepherd | 7–3 | 5–2 | 3rd | |||||
| 2001 | Shepherd | 8–2 | 5–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 2002 | Shepherd | 7–3 | 5–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 2003 | Shepherd | 4–6 | 4–3 | T–2nd | |||||
| 2004 | Shepherd | 7–3 | 7–0 | 1st | |||||
| 2005 | Shepherd | 11–1 | 8–0 | 1st | LNCAA Division II Second Round | 20 | |||
| 2006 | Shepherd | 11–1 | 7–0 | 1st | LNCAA Division II Quarterfinal | 8 | |||
| 2007 | Shepherd | 10–2 | 7–1 | 1st | LNCAA Division II Quarterfinal | 13 | |||
| 2008 | Shepherd | 5–5 | 3–5 | T–6th | |||||
| 2009 | Shepherd | 6–4 | 5–3 | 4th | |||||
| 2010 | Shepherd | 12–2 | 7–1 | 1st | LNCAA Division II Semifinal | 7 | |||
| 2011 | Shepherd | 9–2 | 6–2 | T–2nd | 22 | ||||
| 2012 | Shepherd | 8–3 | 7–1 | 1st | LNCAA Division II First Round | 25 | |||
| Shepherd Rams(Mountain East Conference (Div II)(2013–2018) | |||||||||
| 2013 | Shepherd | 11–1 | 9–0 | 1st | LNCAA Division II Quarterfinal | 9 | |||
| 2014 | Shepherd | 8–2 | 8–2 | 2nd | |||||
| 2015 | Shepherd | 13–1 | 10–0 | 1st | LNCAA Division II Championship | 2 | |||
| 2016 | Shepherd | 13–1 | 10–0 | 1st | LNCAA Division II Semifinal | 3 | |||
| 2017 | Shepherd | 10–1 | 10–0 | 1st | LNCAA Division II First Round | 14 | |||
| 2018 | Shepherd | 7-3 | 7-3 | 3rd | |||||
| Shepherd Rams(Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (Div II)(2019–present) | |||||||||
| 2019 | Shepherd | 10-3 | 6-1 | 2nd (PSAC East); T-2nd (overall) | LNCAA Division II Second Round | 22 | |||
| 2020 | Shepherd | 1-0 | 0-0 | ||||||
| 2021 | Shepherd | 13-2 | 6-1 | 2nd (PSAC East) | LNCAA Division II Semifinals | 5 | |||
| 2022 | Shepherd | 13-2 | 7-0 | 1st (PSAC East) | LNCAA Division II Semifinals | 6 | |||
| 2023 | Shepherd | 9-3 | 5-2 | T–2nd (East); T-3rd (overall) | LNCAA Division II First Round | ||||
| 2024 | Shepherd | 6-5 | 3-4 | T-5th (PSAC East); T-9th (overall) | |||||
| 2025 | Shepherd | 7-4 | 6-1 | 2nd (PSAC East); 2nd (overall) | |||||
| Total: | 282–121–2 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Year | First Round | Second Round | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | @IUP, W 9–6 | — | @Slippery Rock, L 20–31 | ||
| 1999 | @Millersville, L 14–21 | ||||
| 2005 | First round bye | vs.LIU Post, L 21–28 | |||
| 2006 | First round bye | vs.Merrimack, W 31–7 | vs.Bloomsburg, L 21–24 | ||
| 2007 | First round bye | vs. IUP, W 41–34 | @California, L 38–58 | ||
| 2010 | vs.Shaw, W 40–6 | @Kutztown, W 41–34 | @Mercyhurst, W 48–14 | @Delta State, L 17–29 | |
| 2012 | @ IUP, L 17–27 | ||||
| 2013 | First round bye | vs.Winston-Salem State, W 7–0 | vs.West Chester, L 7–28 | ||
| 2015 | First round bye | vs. IUP, W 17–13 | vs. Slippery Rock, W 28–16 | vs.Grand Valley State, W 34–32 | vs.Northwest Missouri State, L 7–34 |
| 2016 | vs.Assumption, W 48–31 | @ LIU Post, W 40–21 | @ California, W 41–30 | vs.North Alabama, L 13–23 | |
| 2017 | vs.Findlay, L 17–29 | ||||
| 2019 | @ IUP, W 31–27 | @ Slippery Rock, L 30–51 | |||
| 2021 | vs. Findlay, W 38–31 | vs.Notre Dame (OH), W 38–34 | @ Kutztown W 30–28 | @Ferris State, L 7–55 | |
| 2022 | vs.New Haven, W 16–13 | vs. Slippery Rock, W 37–27 | @ IUP, W 48–13 | @Colorado School of Mines, L 13–44 | |
| 2023 | @Lenoir–Rhyne, L 17–63 |
Note: The NCAA expanded the playoff field from 16 to 24 teams in 2000, from 24 to 28 teams in 2015, and from 28 to 32 teams in 2025..
Shepherd has had three football players[20] drafted by the NFL:
Located in:Shepherdstown, West Virginia | ||
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