The Series: Shepherd leads 4-3 in the all-time series, with a 76-34 victory over ESU in the lone PSAC matchup between the two schools. The Warriors have won three of the last five meetings, with the teams meeting for six consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2003.
Last Time Out: Despite, 277 all-purpose yards from Rece Bender, the East Stroudsburg University football could not prevent a late Shippensburg comeback, falling to the Raiders by 24-23 mark on Saturday afternoon at Eiler-Martin Stadium. ESU held a 23-14 halftime lead, but the Warriors were unable to score any points in the second half, with drives ending on a missed field goal, two turnover on downs, two punts, an interception and lost a fumble. Ship was able to score a touchdown after a long interception return, and Jaxson Montross would kick the eventual game-winning field goal with 1:27 left in regulation. The ESU offense was held to just 1-7 on 3rd down conversions after halftime.
Big Play Rece: From a 99-yard program record kickoff return for a touchdown to a 96-yard completion that is tied for the longest pass play in Division II this season with Bowie State’s Darious Bowman, Rece Bender’s explosive plays have become regular. Along with the 96-yard reception, Bender has pulled in receptions of 79 yards (Pace), 64 and 53 yards against West Chester, and 40 yards against Bloomsburg and a total of 10 catches of 20-yards or more through nine weeks. The Lancaster native registered a career-best 188 yards receiving on just five catches, reeling in a 66-yard touchdown and explosive receptions of 47, 39, and 31 and five yards against Shippensburg On returns, Bender registered 67 yards off kick returns and 22 on punt returns for the 277 all-purpose yard mark. It's the second highest of career, with 312 all-purpose yards and Shepherd in 2019. 277 all-purpose yards ranks 10th most by a Warrior since 1974. After the big week, Bender ranks second in the PSAC in all-purpose yards, third in combined kick returns, fourth in the receiving touchdowns, second in receiving yards, fourth in receiving yards per game, and second in yards per reception.
McCarthy The Menace: Deshawn McCarthy continues to be an elite pass rusher at the Division II level, tied for the national lead with Tylen Coleman from Western New Mexico with 12 sacks through nine games. McCarthy also ranks in the top-15 in the country in tackles for loss, averaging 1.7 per contest. McCarthy is four sacks away from tying the ESU school record of 15 in a single season with two games remaining. McCarthy and Andre Eldridge (6.5) lead the ESU defense that ranks 10th in the country in total sacks (3.56 per game). McCarthy’s 12 sacks in a single season are tied with Johnny Lee Davis (1991), Bob Heumann (1988), and NFL Draft Pick Ray Yakavonis (1978) for the fourth most sacks in a single season.
D-Fence: With the regular season winding down, the Warrior defense has put together one of its best seasons in recent memory. The Warrior defense ranks 27th in the country and fifth in the conference by allowing just 19.1 points per game. 19.1 points allowed per game would be the lowest in a single season mark for ESU since the Warriors posted an 18.5 opponent points per game mark in 2002.
The Swiss Army Knife: Tyler Watson has continued to impress this season. In the PSAC, he ranks in the top-10 in forced fumbles (10th), interceptions per game (5th) and passes defended (5th), making a case for all-conference honors. He leads ESU in interceptions (t-1st, 3), pass breakups (6), forced fumbles (t-1st, 2), fumbles recovered (t-1st, 1) and ranks third in tackles (40).
Runnin’ and Gunnin’: Gunner Anglovich currently ranks third in the conference in rushing yards (823), tied for second in touchdowns (8). With two games left, he looks to become just the eighth Warrior to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season joining Robert Healy (2x, 2016, 2013), Andre Castiglioni (2x, 2001, 2000), Stewart Ford (1997), Jaymar Anderson (2017), Pete Radocha (1976), Derek Lucas (2005) and Andre Myers (1998).
Red and Black Zone: The Warriors rank in the top-25 nationally in both redzone defense (17th) and redzone offense (19th).
