Box Score  

  The Yellow Jacket football team announced to the world Saturday that it is ready to go toe-totoe with the top Division II teams in the country. 
     WVSU ended up falling 56-41 at #4 Shepherd but the host Rams were not able to clinch the win until a late touchdown pushed the margin to two scores with 1:29 to play.
     That proved to be Shepherd's largest lead of the game.
     "We were within one score a couple of times," WVSU Head Coach John Pennington said. "We had our chances."
       The Rams jumped out to a 14-0 lead but the Yellow Jackets responded with a field goal by Aaron Ball and a 24 - yard fumble return for a touchdown.
       That set the tone for the rest of the game as the teams traded scores all afternoon. 
     WVSU took its only lead if the day at 24-21 on a 13-yard pass from senior quarterback Matt Kinnick to Quinton Gray late in the first half.
      The Rams responded to take a 28-24 advantage into halftime.
     The squads traded scores again after the break until Shepherd took advantage of a short field after recovering a Jacket onside kick to put up the game clincher.
        "We know we can play with anyone," Pennington said. "But I'm tired of making the same speech, we have to play better."
        Several Yellow Jackets made big contributions.
       Rhys Jelich scored on a 1-yard pass, Calil Wilkins on a 24 - yard run, and Tyrel Henderson had a career day catching passes.
      Kinnick threw for 371 yards with 166 of those coming from Henderson on 11 catches.
      Wilkins added 91 on the ground.
      With the toughest part of their schedule behind the the Yellow Jackets will begin focusing on Saturday's Homecoming opponent, Glenville State.
        "There are no more ranked teams on the schedule," Pennington said. "We still have to earn every game though."
       Saturday's contest kicks off at 1:30.