Draft:Shepherd Rams football

The Shepherd Rams football program represents Shepherd University in the sport of American football. The team competes in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the East Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

Shepherd previously competed in Division I of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They also were affiliated with the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) from 1925 to 2012 and the Mountain East Conference (MEC) from 2013 to 2019.

Shepherd has 22 conference championships, five regional championships, and one divisional championship. They have made it to the national semifinals six times and competed in one national championship.

1920–1924: Early years
In 1920, Shepherd College formed their first football team with the hiring of school president, Alva Dayne Kenamond, as their first head coach. In Shepherd's first game, they would play Martinsburg High School and tie, 0–0. They would rematch Martinsburg later in the season, losing 32–7 and finishing the season 0–1–1.

Shepherd hired Withrow Reynolds Legge, a former VPI halfback, as the head coach of the football team before the start of the 1921 season. In his first year, Shepherd finished 1–5–1. Their first official win came when they beat Martinsburg 18–6. Their first college game came on October 29 against Randolph–Macon when they lost 78–0.

In 1922, Shepherd would take a big step as a program, finishing 7–3. On October 21, Shapherd again played Randolph–Macon and won 6–0. This would be their first college win in school history.

Shepherd finished with a record of 4–4–1 in 1923. Their 110–0 loss against West Virginia's freshman team still stands as the largest blowout in school history.

1925–1941: Newcome era
With the hiring of John Newcome in 1925, Shepherd joined the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), making it the first time the school joined an athletic conference.

1987–2017: The Cater era
In 2004, Shepherd College changed its name to Shepherd University.

Conference championships
† Co-champion

Postseason
Shepherd has qualified for the playoffs 19 times. They have made it to one National Championship, six National Semifinals, and eight Regional Finals.

National award winners
AFN = American Football Networks, BSN = Beyond Sports Network, DH = Don Hansen, DRL = D2CCA Ron Lenz


 * Rimington Trophy
 * Ryan Pope – 2007

Regional award winners

 * Hardman Award
 * Tyson Bagent – 2021


 * Don Hansen Super Regional Offensive Player of the Year
 * Jeff Ziemba – 2015


 * D2CCA Super Regional Offensive Player of the Year
 * Tyson Bagent – 2021
 * Tyson Bagent – 2022

Coaching award winners

 * Vince Lombardi Coach of the Year
 * Monte Cater – 2016


 * AFCA Regional Coach of the Year
 * Ernie McCook – 2022


 * AFCA Super Regional Coach of the Year
 * Monte Cater – 2015


 * Don Hansen Super Regional Coach of the Year
 * Monte Cater – 2015

Award winners

 * WVIAC Coach of the Year
 * Donald E. Fuoss – 1955
 * Walter Barr – 1972
 * Walter Barr – 1982
 * Walter Barr – 1983
 * Mike Jacobs – 1986
 * Monte Cater – 1991
 * Monte Cater – 1992
 * Monte Cater – 1997
 * Monte Cater – 1998
 * Monte Cater – 1999
 * Monte Cater – 2004
 * Monte Cater – 2005
 * Monte Cater – 2006
 * Monte Cater – 2007


 * WVIAC Offensive Player of the Year
 * Mike Coyle – 1982
 * Mike Coyle – 1983
 * Mike Coyle – 1984
 * John Fotta – 1985


 * WVIAC Defensive Player of the Year
 * Gene Lugat – 1982
 * Mark Brower – 1983
 * Steve Borlie – 1988