Photo Courtesy of Fairmont State University

Shepherd @ Fairmont State

7:00
Duvall-Rosier Field - Fairmont, WV

2017 Records: Shepherd 5-0, Fairmont St 4-2
2016 Records: Shepherd 13-1, Fairmont St 10-2

Previous Meetings:
2016: Shepherd, 27-17
2015: Shepherd, 41-14
2014: Shepherd, 56-0
2013: Shepherd, 27-7

Last year's late-season matchup between the Shepehrd Rams and Fairmont State Fighting Falcons was essentially the MEC conference championship with additional regional ranking implications for the upcoming playoffs. At this point in 2017 Shepherd is clearly the front runner in the conference. Their offense is firing on all cylinders averaging 50 points per game. The offensive attack is fairly balanced. Quarterback Connor Jessop has a multitude of weapons to throw to; and the dynamic duo from Delaware are getting it done on the ground--Jabre Lolley and Patrick Griffin. The defense is showing signs of coming together and finding its grove as the season plays on. Their last two games have come against weaker offenses though.

Fairmont State is on the outside looking in with two losses already, one being to PSAC-East East Stroudsburg--who is 2-4 with their other win being against Cheyney. The Fighting Falcons will rely on their defense to win this game. Plan to hear Quincy Redmon and Marcus Porter's names called often. Fairmont State ranks 1st in the MEC in Total Defense, Pass Defense and Scoring Defense. Oh, and they're 3rd in Rushing Defense. Shepherd however, will be their toughest test.

The Rams will counter with an offense that is 1st in Total Offense, Pass Offense and Scoring Offense. And they're 2nd in Rushing Offense. While not as high on defense, Shepherd does sport the 2nd best Rushing Defense in the conference.

Fairmont State could easily be 2-4 if Urbana and Charleston could have closed out their late-game leads. While not as huge as last year's unofficial conference championship game, I expect this one to be well attended and Shepherd will have its hands full. In the end though, I think they're just too tough for anyone in the conference right now.

Shepherd 38, Fairmont State 29