MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Shepherd and Colorado School of Mines have returned to the NCAA Division II semifinals for the second consecutive year. One team will take the next step that neither was able to take a year ago. The Rams (13-1) will visit the Orediggers (12-2) Saturday afternoon with the winner advancing to the National Championship.
The semifinal game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
“They are great in all three phases. They were a Final Four team last year. They have been in the national playoffs and made deep runs several times. That’s a good football program we are playing,” said Shepherd head coach Ernie McCook.
.@SURamsFootball are in the NCAA Division II football semi-finals, and the Rams will face the Colorado School of Mines on Saturday. @CoachMcCook discusses this experience for his guys with @HoppyKercheval. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nEhk6 pic.twitter.com/mOKhf2TDql
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 8, 2022
“I think it is fair game for anybody in this top four to come out with the National Championship,” said Shepherd senior quarterback Tyson Bagent. “That’s something that’s exciting. Obviously watching the Colorado School of Mines on tape throughout the week, they are an engineering school. They’ve got extremely intelligent players all over the field. They play extremely hard and they always try to be in the right spot at the right time. We are just going to have to capitalize off our athleticism and try to match their intensity, both mentally and physically.”
The Rams have won their three NCAA postseason games by increasing margins. Shepherd was seeded second in their 7-team regional tournament. The Rams defeated New Haven, 16-13 before eliminating PSAC foes Slippery Rock [37-27] and Indiana, Pa. [48-13].
Colorado School of Mines features the highest-scoring offense in Division II. The Orediggers average 46.9 points per contest. Shepherd ranks fifth at 41.1 points per game.
Golden, Colorado stands 5,707 feet above sea level. It will be the highest elevation site to host an NCAA Division II semifinal. The Rams arrived in Colorado Thursday and will go through a full practice on Friday.
There’s no place like home.#HelluvaEngineer⚒️ pic.twitter.com/Uk3RYIBBSK
— Mines Football (@MinesFootball) December 7, 2022
“The two things are that you have to hydrate, and you should do that with any long travel. And you need to not make a big deal about it. Don’t let it be a psychological issue for our kids. We are kind of downplaying it,” McCook said.
In his fourth season as Shepherd’s starting quarterback, Martinsburg High School graduate Tyson Bagent has taken up residence in the NCAA record books. In the regional championship victory over IUP, Bagent tossed his 159th touchdown pass, setting a new career record across all NCAA levels.
Bagent entered the NCAA Transfer Portal following the 2021 season and received significant interest from Division I programs. Bagent opted to return to Shepherd and it was a decision he was happy to make.
“I am super-grateful I stayed where I was. I don’t think there is any situation in the country that would have been better for me than the one that I am currently in,” Bagent said.
“I’ve got more repetitions and more experience than anyone out there. I wouldn’t say a defense could ever throw something at me that I haven’t seen before. That’s something that has worked to my advantage. That has made me more comfortable on Saturday, just to think through things.”
(Photo: Andy Mason/Herald-Mail / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Bagent has passed for 4,415 yards and 41 touchdowns with just six interceptions this season. He is a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, honoring the top player in Division II football. Bagent won the award in 2021. Shepherd’s offense has been bolstered by the play of junior running back Ronnie Brown. Brown has accounted for 2,244 yards from scrimmage and 23 touchdowns. His 1,691 rushing yards are third-best in Division II.
“We’re able to have a guy like Ronnie Brown and an O-Line that is able to open up a hole just enough for him to make things happen. I think it has taken a lot off my plate and allowed me to play more efficient,” Bagent said.
Bagent has received an invitation to compete in the Reese’s Senior Bowl next month, which is the prime scouting showcase for NFL teams.
“I understand that this long road is coming to an end. At the same time, it is not getting too caught up in that bittersweet moment to where it takes away from what at the end of the day you are trying to accomplish.”
.@tysbagent became the all-time leader in passing touchdowns across all classifications with 159. How much has Bagent enjoyed this season? He joins @TonyCaridi, @BradHowe07, and @HunterWvu88bgn. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nm85Y pic.twitter.com/EDNcOBuNQ8
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 6, 2022
Bridgeport native Josh Wojciechowicz is a sophomore long snapper for the Orediggers. He was a key member of the Indians’ 2019 Class AA state championship team.