MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville limited Shepherd--the nation's top-ranked passing attack--to its fewest offensive yards of the season but could not finish drives or take advantage of several short field opportunities in Saturday's 34-10 loss at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.

Shepherd kept its PSAC East title hopes alive, improving to 6-2 (4-1 PSAC East) while Millersville dropped to 2-6 (1-4 PSAC East). 

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Rams, coming off an upset of No. 12 West Chester last week, was limited to 457 yards of offense, which was their lowest output of the season. Quarterback Tyson Bagent completed 30-of-42 passes for 326 yards, but that total was its second-lowest of the season. Millersville's offense took the field without quarterback Collin Shank for the second consecutive game and turned to freshman Miles Miller. Miller went 14-for-31 and was intercepted three times. Wide receiver Evan Morrill took the majority of snaps at quarterback in the fourth quarter and ended up throwing for 41 yards and hit Drew Schwindenhammer for a 17-yard TD pass. Morrill also rushed seven times for 22 yards and caught three passes for 45 yards. 
• For the offense, it was all about missed chances. On the first drive, the Marauders dialed up a wide receiver pass from Morrill. Chris Dolan was running all alone down the home sideline, but the pass sailed long for an incompletion instead of a sure touchdown. The Marauders second drive pushed to the Shepherd 15, but on fourth-and-three, Miller's pass was incomplete. In the opening minute of the second quarter, Shepherd fumbled a punt, and Zac Button pounced on the lose ball at the Shepherd 19. Millersville had first-and-goal from the six, but after a three-yard completion to Dolan, Miller lost two yards on a keeper and then missed Morrill in the corner of the end zone. Millersville settled for a 23-yard Chris Persiko field goal. 
• The very next drive, Miller connected with Morrill for 21 yards, and Christian Smith rushed for 10 more to the Shepherd 24, but on first-and-10, Miller lofted a pass to Kevon Newerls in the end zone, but the it was under-thrown. Newerls slipped trying to adjust and Daijahn Anthony made the interception. Miller was picked off again on Millersville's next drive, but this time it happened deep in Millersville territory. On second-and-four from the 15, Miller's pass glanced off the hands of a receiver and Ponce Deleon made a diving grab for the pick. Shepherd quickly converted that short field into a touchdown and a 21-3 lead.
 • Millersville limited Shepherd to only a field goal in the third and to 13 total points in the second half. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Christian Smith led Millersville in rushing with 38 yards despite having just three carries. Chris Dolan led with five catches, but Morrill's 45 yards were a team high. Deonte Glover's 94 rushing yards led Shepherd on the ground. 
• In addition to Button's fumble recovery, A.J. McCloud recovered one that Chase Alisauckas forced. Christian Martir recorded his first career interception while also making a career-high 14 tackles. Neil Satterwhite and Lucas Bush shared a sack. 

COACH J.C. MORGAN'S THOUGHTS
• On injuries at the quarterback position: "It's tough rolling a true freshman out there. God bless the kid; he gave us everything he had today. He got knocked out of the game today. You do have some limitations but we talked about this after last week's game. We have to play better around him. That's being able to run the ball, run the correct routes, give him protection--all these things coming into helping out a guy. He has given us everything he has. There's a reason you don't see a lot of teams playing true freshmen in this league."
• On missed opportunities on offense: "It makes it tough because you have to figure out where the points are coming from. We got into the red zone and got aggressive and went for the touchdown. We wanted to be aggressive and take a shot. We couldn't get it done. The second quarter was all about missed opportunities. We had chances to put points on the board and to come away with three was unfortunate. We were able to move the ball. We knew we would get opportunities. We told our guys that this game would come down to taking advantage of opportunities and we did not."
• On Morrill taking snaps at quarterback: "Evan is an all-around athlete and will do whatever is asked of him. He was our best option after Miles went down. He was able to throw a touchdown pass and I'm sure he'll relish that. For him to do it as a true quarterback, I'm sure he'll carry that with him for a while."
• On the defense's effort: "The defense did make some plays, especially in the second half--forcing the fumble and Christian Martir getting the interception. They played hard and that was all we could ask of them."

NOTES
• Saturday's game was the first between Millersville and Shepherd since 2007 and Shepherd's first trip to Millersville since 2006. Shepherd joined the PSAC prior to the start of the 2019 season. Shepherd has won the last three meetings. 
• Schwindenhammer's touchdown catch was the first of his career. Morrill now has three career touchdown passes in addition to five touchdown catches. 

UP NEXT
• Millersville is back home on Saturday, Nov. 2 against Bloomsburg. Kickoff is at 12 p.m.