MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - A handful of momentum-stealing and game-changing plays made the difference for Shepherd as the Rams overcame Jaheim Morris' career-high 229 rushing yards for a 33-17 win over the Millersville Marauders.

Morris became the first Marauder since 2008 to rush for over 200 yards in a game, and he tied a school record with his 93-yard run in the third quarter. But Shepherd turned a blocked punt into a safety and a strip sack into a defensive touchdown as part of a 30-point second half that turned a 3-3 halftime score into a 16-point road win. Turnovers were again a culprit in a third consecutive defeat for the Marauders as they committed two in addition to several costly special teams miscues. The Marauders have turned the ball over 10 times and hold a minus-nine turnover ratio in the last three weeks. 

"The turnovers are the big things, but there are a lot of little things that lead to the breakdowns," said Millersville head coach J.C. Morgan. "You don't want the turnovers, but you also have to focus on the things that are leading to the turnovers. That's where we have to get back to work, get on the film and come together as a staff and shore them up. Get better for next week."

Millersville led 3-0 until a kick catch interference penalty on the final play of the second quarter led to an un-timed down from the Millersville 15-yard line and the 32-yard Shepherd field goal. That was only the beginning of Millersville's problems on special teams. After Morris' 93-yard run, and Jaquan Howard's subsequent touchdown gave Millersville a 10-3 lead, a 30-yard kick return on a short kick gave Shepherd a drive start at the Millersville 45. Two snaps later, Seth Morgan connected with Jeremiah Taylor for a 40-yard TD strike. Shepherd took its first lead of the game on the very next series as Robby Hart stuffed Millersville's punt attempt and the ball skidded through the end zone for a safety. Taking advantage of another short field, Shepherd drove 55 yards in eight plays for a two-score lead. 

Millersville cut into that lead on its second possession of the fourth quarter as Morris dashed through the right side of the Shepherd defense forced a 24-yard TD run. The Marauder defense forced a three-and-out, but a 57-yard return at the start of the drive flipped field position, so Millersville could not fully take advantage of the defense stand. Instead, it took over on its own 20 down two with 6:57 to play. On third-and-five, disaster struck for the Marauders. Freshman quarterback Ryan Zeltt, making the first start of his career, tried to scramble away from pressure but was stripped by Nathan Muhle. The loose ball took a significant Shepherd bounce toward the end zone, and Kevin Couser scooped it up at the 2 and fell into the end zone for what would be a win-clinching play for the Rams. 

"We were thinking, 'let's go score,'" said Morgan. "We didn't want to get in third-and-longs and give them a chance to dial up the pass rush. We had to do a better job of getting into manageable third downs. Six minutes left, you can punt the ball and let the defense play it out. Unfortunately that didn't happen because of the turnover and defensive touchdown."

Shepherd entered the game as the PSAC's No. 2-ranked passing offense, and while a steady rain played a role, the Millersville defense limited Morgan to 18-of-32 passing for a season-low 163 yards and just 315 yards of total offense. Millersville, meanwhile rushed for 245 and became the third team this season to out-gain the now 6-1 Rams. Millersville's turnovers and untimely negative plays in all three phases of the game led to the Shepherd's sixth-straight win in the series. 

"Breakdowns," said Morgan. "We had opportunities. We had control. We had some breakdowns that set us back."

GAME NOTES

• With starter Robert Footman Jr. unavailable, Zeltt went 15-for-35 for 85 yards and an interception. 
• Slowed by a preseason injury for the first three weeks and another injury kept Morris on the sidelines in the previous two games. Morris has rushed 54 times for 406 yards in the two games for which he was fully healthy. Morris tied Marc DeBellis' 1993 touchdown run against Mansfield for the longest in school history. He also finished the most rushing yards by a Marauder since Cardoza Jacks went for 275 against Cheyney in 2008. 
• Millersville entered the game as the PSAC leader in sacks but got to Morgan just twice. Randy Okungu and Jabriel Rhodes-Nelson split a sack, and Garrett Cox tallied one to boost his season total to 6 1/2. Cox led all players with 11 tackles, giving him five straight double-digit tackle performances. 
• Trent McDowell's 28-yard field goal in the first quarter was his fourth consecutive successful attempt. 

MORE FROM COACH MORGAN

• On Jaheim Morris: "In my mind, he's one of top (running backs). I don't know who I'd take over him in the PSAC. It was good for him to get out there and have some strong runs. He had some runs that helped keep us on schedule." 
• On bouncing back from three straight losses: "We talk about having that swinging mentality. We'll get back to work and keep swinging. I truly believe there is a lot of good football left in this group. There are some wins to be had. The biggest muscle we have to work is our mind. If we put ourselves to it, we are plenty capable winning ball games. We had our chances today. Keep swinging, get back to work, get in the weight room, get in the film room and get our eyes toward Shippensburg."

UP NEXT

• Millersville is on the road for the next two weeks, first stopping at Shippensburg on Oct. 21 for a 1 p.m. start.