FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Second-ranked Shepherd used a defensive stand on Fairmont State's final possession of the fourth quarter to escape, 28-23, on Thursday evening during the Mountain East Conference Thursday Night Game of the Week at Duvall-Rosier Field.
 
Fairmont State had three second-half possessions inside the Shepherd 20-yard line during Thursday's matchup, and failed to put up points on each opportunity.
 
The Rams improved to 6-0 (6-0 MEC) on the year, while Fairmont State fell to 4-3 (4-2 MEC). 

The Falcons raced out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter after a touchdown pass from JuJuan Young-Battle to Shawn Harris and a pick-six by Naiquan Thomas within a ten-second stretch of the game. The Rams, though, responded with 21 points of their own in the second quarter. Connor Jessop had a pair of touchdown passes, and Patrick Griffin took the ball in from two yards out just before halftime to give SU the 21-14 lead at the break.
 
On Fairmont's opening possession of the second half, the Falcons marched 84 yards on nine plays to set up a goal-to-go situation at the SU 8. However, Shepherd's Tre Anderson picked off a pass in the end zone to halt Fairmont's bid to tie the game.
 
Later in the third, FSU did regain the lead after a Sam Keil 26-yard field goal and a 34-yard touchdown pass from Young-Battle to Laurence King.

Trailing 23-21 with 10:13 left in the game, Shepherd took over from its own six yard line needing a score to regain the lead. The Rams marched the 94 yards in 10 plays and took 4:37 off the clock, with the drive capped by a six-yard TD pass from Jessop over the middle to tight end D.J. Cornish.

Following a three-and-out by both teams on consecutive possessions, the Falcons got the ball back at their own 31 yard line with 2:26 to go and two timeouts. FSU converted on 3rd-and-17 on a 22-yard pass to Dana Jackson, and then moved the ball all the way down to the Shepherd 17. The Rams were able to force four-straight incomplete passes to preserve the win and stay unbeaten on the season. Shepherd defensive backs were able to record pass break-ups on three of Fairmont's final four pass attempts on the drive.

Like the final score, the game was even in most statistical areas with SU holding a slight advantage in rushing yards (176-131), passing yards (253-243) and total offense (429-374). The Rams turned the ball over four times on the night (two interceptions and two fumbles), but was able to come away with three interceptions. Shepherd had turned the ball over just six times coming into Thursday's game.

Jessop was 19-of-34 for 253 yards with three TDs. Jessop entered the game with just two interceptions on the season, and was picked off twice by the FSU defense.
 
Jabre Lolley carried 27 times and had 114 yards. Ryan Feiss had seven catches for 97 yards and a score. On defense, James Gupton had eight tackles, including two for a loss, while Myles Humphrey had a pair of sacks on the night.

Young-Battle completed 14-of-34 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and three picks on the night. Terrell Charles had 72 yards rushing and Brandon Boyd hauled in four passes for 79 yards to lead the FSU skill-position players. Stephen Turned led the Falcons with nine tackles, and Antonio Harris had seven solo stops (two for a loss) and also blocked a punt. 
 
Thomas also had a big night for the FSU defense with seven stops, a 37-yard pick-six and a forced fumble that he recovered himself.
 
Jessop was 19-of-34 for 253 yards with three TDs. Jessop entered the game with just two interceptions on the season, and was picked off twice by the FSU defense.
 
Jabre Lolley carried 27 times and had 114 yards. Ryan Feiss had seven catches for 97 yards and a score. On defense, James Gupton had eight tackles, including two for a loss, while Myles Humphrey had a pair of sacks on the night.
 
The last team to hold the Shepherd offense under 30 points during the regular season was Fairmont State on Nov. 5 of last season, as the Rams came away with a 27-17 win at home. North Alabama held Shepherd to 13 points in last season's national semifinal.
 
The Falcons will look to rebound next Saturday with a road trip to Glenville State for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Pioneers.