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Tigers' Sheppard a 'playmaker'
10/14/2011
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
First-year coach Chris Brown told Fort Hays State University junior transfer Anthony Sheppard he "was proud of" the quarterback after last week's 38-17 home loss to Pittsburg State University. Sheppard made his first start with FHSU and completed 7-of-17 passes for 96 yards with one interception, rushed 14 times for 17 yards with a touchdown and lost a fumble in rainy conditions.
"He was like, 'This game right there was going to be the game that everybody looked back and said we turned the program,' " Sheppard said in the team's weekly news conference Tuesday.
Sheppard -- who had played limited time in three of the first five games behind senior Blake McAhren -- was pleased to hear the praise, but wasn't as happy with his performance.
"Of course, I didn't look at it like that because I lost, and I felt like it was my fault, but ... that made me feel a lot better to hear it coming from the head guy," he said.
Brown's words encapsulated Sheppard's season and future with the program. Since fall camp, Sheppard has impressed Brown with his running ability and athleticism. Sheppard is likely considered the quarterback for the rest of this season and 2012.
"The kid is a playmaker," FHSU junior running back Andre Smith said. "He makes plays. When you have got a quarterback like that, it kind of takes a little bit of pressure off of you."
However, Sheppard still needs improvement, especially on his footwork and turnovers. On Saturday, Sheppard is expected to start again for Fort Hays against University of Central Missouri, ranked No. 20 in NCAA Division II in the d2football.com poll.
Fort Hays stands at 2-4, 2-3 MIAA, while UCM is 4-2, 3-2. Game time is 6 p.m. at Lewis Stadium. Through six games, Fort Hays' run-first attack stands 95th in Division II in scoring offense (24 points per game), 97th in total offense (346.3 yards) and 122nd in passing offense (157.2).
"Whatever (Brown) asks that I do, I am going to do and I am going to do it to my best, so I won't let him down, let the team down, and most importantly, let myself down," Sheppard said.
Last week, the Tigers were tied with Pittsburg State at 17 midway through the third quarter, but still tied for their season-low in points and had a season-worst 172 yards of total offense. In the second half, Sheppard lost a fumble that set up a short field and eventual PSU touchdown and later threw an interception that PSU's Paul Robinson returned 47 yards for a score.
"I feel like I played well up to the second half," Sheppard said.
Sheppard's 14 carries were the second-most by a Tiger quarterback in the last 29 games and fifth-most since Week 4 of the 2007 season.
"We have got some plays that are just designed strictly for him to run and we are going to keep doing those plays and he is going to make plays with his feet," Brown said. "He is a kid that you can't just hand off the ball and drop back to pass. You have got to let him run with his feet a little bit and make things happen."
For the season, Sheppard has completed 13-of-30 passes for 156 yards and zero touchdowns against three interceptions. He has rushed 25 times for 85 yards and a score with two fumbles (one lost).
"Some of that is not playing a lot, just not getting into a good rhythm," Brown said of the turnovers.
In close losses to Truman State (Mo.) University and Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University in Week 2 and Week 3, Sheppard threw interceptions at the Truman goal line and at the SBU 3-yard line.
"Earlier in the season, I can honestly say that I forced a lot of things because I knew my time was limited, so when I got in, I tried to press things and I tried to make things happen so bad," he said.
Versus Pittsburg State, Sheppard knew he would play the whole game, but had problems with the rain and PSU's defense. Sheppard said he "never saw" Robinson on the interception. Still, the Tigers expect Sheppard to improve -- and help turn the program around.
"Once he gets into his rhythm, he is going to be a great player, he is going to do good things for us," Brown said. "Then, those mistakes will go away."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |