Lock Haven scored two touchdowns in the final 2 minutes, 2 seconds of the third quarter. Justin Popovich reeled in a 3-yard catch from Jackson Ostrowsky with 2:02 left to cut the deficit to 21-6 before Evan Slystra caught a 12-yard touchdown from Ostrowsky whcih made it a 21-13 deficit.

But, just as quickly as Lock Haven appeared to be rallying, Shepherd stifled the momentum.

The Rams had two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to go ahead by 22 points and sealed the game as Lock Haven simply ran out of time.

Jordan Barnett had a 49-yard touchdown run with 13:29 toplay in the game to put Shepherd ahead, 28-13, before Grant Swinehart scored on Shepherd’s next possession with 8:16 remaining by punching in a one-yard touchdown for a 35-13 lead.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven and Shepherd compete at Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Shepherd won, 35-19.

Lock Haven would add another touchdown when Popovich caught a 10-yard touchdown with 5:54 to play, but the Bald Eagles weren’t able to rally back.

Shepherd out-gained Lock Haven in total offense, 476-407. Ostrowsky had a monster game passing for the Bald Eagles as he finished 34 for 51 for 336 yards and three touchdowns, however he did throw three interceptions. Shepherd’s Will Ennis, Uchenna Ibe and Klayton Batten all had picks. Lock Haven’s Tyler Merwarth had an interception as well.

Popovich had a team-high eight receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Damir Green had 58 rushing yards on 10 carries.

Barnett proved to be a tough back for Lock haven to contain as the Ram ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Michael Hardyway had success in the air for Shepherd as well as he went 23 for 31 for 307 yards and two touchdown passes.

Lock Haven faces Gannon in its regular-season finale next week and is looking to secure its first winning season since 1981.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven and Shepherd compete at Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Shepherd won, 35-19.

Shepherd 35, Lock Haven 19

Shepherd 0 14 7 14 — 35

Lock Haven 0 0 13 6 — 19

Second quarter

S–Malakai Brown 49 pass form Michael Hardyway (Keith Baker kick), 13:08.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven and Shepherd compete at Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Shepherd won, 35-19.

S–Kordell Batten 13 pass from Hardyway (Baker kick), 4:25.

Third quarter

S–Jordan Barnett 2 run (Keith Baker kick), 9:40.

LHU–Justin Popovich 3 pass from Jackson Ostrowsky (kick failed), 2:02.

LHU–Evan Slystra 12 pass from Ostrowsky (Caden Bauer kick), 0:03.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven and Shepherd compete at Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Shepherd won, 35-19.

Fourth quarter

S–Jordan Barnett 49 run (Baker kick), 13:29.

S–Grant Swinehart 1 run (Baker kick), 8:16.

LHU–Popovich 10 pass from Ostrowsky (kick failed), 5:54.

TEAM STATISTICS

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven and Shepherd compete at Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Shepherd won, 35-19.

S LHU

First downs 21 22

Rushes-ayrds 33-160 18-71

Passing yards 307 336

C-A-I 23-31-1 34-51-3

Total yards 476 407

Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 12-116 9-80

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING–Shepherd, Jordan Barnett 18-131 2 TDs, Grant Swinehart 13-31 TD, TEAM 2-(minus 2). LHU, Damir Green 10-58, Cureem Hathcock 3-7, Ezequiel Johnson 3-6, Jackson Ostrowsky 2-0.

PASSING–Shepherd, MIchael Hardyway 23-31-1 307 2 TDs. LHU, Jackson Ostrowsky 34-51-3 336 3 TDs.

RECEIVING–Shepherd, Malakai Brown 6-121 TD, Kordell Batten 10-91 TD, Jaden Ashby 2-50, Roman Pierson 1-18, Grant Swinehart 2-13, Caysen LAnza 1-9, Brian Jester 1-5. LHU Justin Popovich 8-99 2 TDs, Jake Roberts 7-73, Jaiden Huntington 5-70, Mekhi Watson 4-37, Jayvon Tucker-Scott 3-30, Evan Slystra 1-12 TD, Ezequiel JOhnson 4-8, Connor Foltz 2-7.