SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.VA. -- The East Stroudsburg University football team could not contain one of the top offenses in Division II, falling to No. 11 Shepherd, 55-7, on Saturday at Ram Stadium.
The Warriors fall to 5-5, 3-4 in the PSAC East, while the nationally-ranked Rams improve to 9-1, 6-1 in conference action.
Harlon Hill hopeful Tyson Bagent completed 27-45 passes for 437 yards and six touchdowns for Shepherd, who entered the week leading the nation in yards per game and scoring offense in Division II. Josh Gontarek pulled in two of those touchdowns, including a 49-yard touchdown for the Rams first score of the contest. He finished with 195 receiving yards.
Defensively, Jacob Keane led ESU with 10 tackles, including one TFL. Shavar Hussett added nine, while Paul Carreras and Noah Hambrick each totaled eight. Teddy Mitchell added seven tackles.
Jake Cirillo completed 14-25 passes for 87 yards and a four-yard touchdown to David Akinwande. He led the Warriors in receptions (3) and yards (17). PSAC East leading rusher Gunner Anglovich was held in check with 18 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Hussett took back a kickoff 66 yards to setup the Akinwande touchdown.
Nate Reed punted 10 times, averaging 40.2 yards including a 54-yard boot.
After ESU punted on its first drive, Shepherd would put its first points on the board on a 49-yard touchdown from Bagent to Gontarek.
The Warriors second drive saw progression with 10 plays, as ESU picked up a pair of first downs before a punt was forced.
The ESU defense forced a stop on the next Ram possession, as Bagent would send a 21-yard punt to the ESU 20-yard line.
Shepherd led just 7-0 after the first quarter.
After the teams traded punts to open the second quarter, the Rams took control of the contest with a pair of touchdowns and field goals during the second quarter, as SU led 24-0 at halftime.
The Rams added a field goal to begin the second half, as ESU looked to chip away at the lead. Shavar Hussett brought back a 66-yard return to the Shepherd 25-yard to set up the Warrior offense in excellent field position.
Cirillo found Anglovich on a 16-yard pass play, as a roughing the passer would also gain a first down on the drive. Cirillo found his fullback in Akinwande from four-yards out to make it a three possession game.
The Rams would not let ESU gain momentum, scoring touchdowns its next three drives to close out the third quarter, as Shepherd led 48-7 after three quarters.
SU added a fourth quarter touchdown for the final score of 55-7.
ESU was outgained 640-125 and held ESU to 1-11 on 3rd down. SU had 84 plays of offense compared to 45 for the Warriors.
The Warriors return to action next weekend for the season finale, hosting Gannon for Senior Day at Eiler-Martin Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1:05 p.m.
