EAST STROUDSBURG – Despite building a 14-0 advantage to start the contest, the East Stroudsburg University football team fell to third-ranked Shepherd by a score of 37-14 on Senior Day at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
The Warriors see its two-game winning streak come to an end (4-6, 3-5 PSAC East) following the home finale final home game. The undefeated Rams (10-0, 7-0 PSAC East) advance to the State Game against IUP on Saturday in Indiana, Pa.
With his third of five touchdowns on the day, Shepherd quarterback Tyson Bagent, the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy winner, broke the NCAA Division II career passing touchdown record of 149. The record was set in 2006 by current ESU head coach Jimmy Terwilliger at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
Notables
- Jake Cirillo posted 131 passing yards (13-24) with a touchdown and an interception in his home finale. He found reigning PSAC East Athlete of the Week Justin Cook for a 50-yd touchdown in the first quarter. He also rushed for a touchdown with an eight-yard rush to put ESU up 14-0.
- Tyriq Lewis led the squad with 39 yards rushing on 10 carries. Tahir Mills recorded 15 yards rushing on five carries.
- 11 different Warriors recorded a reception, with Cook's 50-yd strike pacing the crew. Beau Heyser (23 yards) and Ezequiel Lopez (20 yards) all posted at least 20 yards on the day.
- Defensively, Jahan Worth led the way with 11 tackles, including a tackle for loss. Tyler Watson totaled stops from the safety position, while Sergei Felizor added eight tackles and a pair of pass breakups. Aidan Hayward posted a sack.
- For Shepherd, Bagent completed 30-of-38 passes for 392 yards and five touchdowns. Running back Ronnie Brown was held to 37 rushing yards (averages 108.8). Bagent found five different receivers for touchdowns, including Brown, Brian Walker, Rodney Dorsey, Alphonso Foray and Marlon Cook. Walker paced the Rams with 99 yards on four receptions. Enelio Pena totaled 10 tackles, while Donte Harrison recorded an interception.
- On Senior Day, the ESU athletic department honored seniors Gunner Anglovich, Clifford Brinkley, Anthony Capitini, Jake Cirillo, Matt DeLaurentis, Cole Fryer, Elijiah Johnson, Jacob Keane, Elie Lavarin, Ezequiel Lopez, Jared Namnun, Isaiah Reigel, Devante Robinson, Jaco Sattamini, Tyler Watson and Christian Weissman. In addition, student coaching staff members Scotty Mish and Ryan Perlmutter were also honored.
Gallery: (11-5-2022) ESU Football Senior Day
- Additionally, ESU held its second-annual 'Shirt off My Back' game, with ESU football members presenting a jersey to an ESU faculty or staff member that has made a positive impact during their tenure in the Poconos.
Gallery: (11-5-2022) Shirt off My Back
How It Happened
- The Warrior defense started strong, as ESU won the coin toss and deferred possession to the second half. Bagent converted a pair of 3rd down passes, before SI attempted a 36-yd field goal that hit the left goal post.
- ESU and Shepherd traded punts, as ESU forced Bagent to a rare 3-and-out. On its first play at the 50-yd line, Cirillo sent a beautiful 50-yd pass to Cook, who recorded his first collegiate receiving touchdown and his second overall of his freshman season to lift ESU to an early lead.
- The Warrior defense forced another 3-and-out for the Rams, as ESU took over possession at the end of the first quarter up 7-0.
- A short 23-yd punt from Shepherd setup ESU in great field position on the Shepherd 35-yd line. The Warriors used six consecutive rushes, which commenced with a Cirillo 8-yd rushing touchdown, which featured a hurdle for style points. Bartholomew booted ESU's 96th consecutive point-after-attempt t to make it a 14-0 contest against third-ranked SU.
- Bagent completed consecutive passes of 22, 14 and 26 yards, to put the Rams on the scoreboard. Shepherd missed the PAT, as ESU clung to a 14-6 advantage.
- An interception gave SU possession at midfield on the following drive. After a pair of short rushes, Bagent found receiver Rodney Dorsey for a 40-yard touchdown, to cut the deficit to a single point.
- ESU was forced to punt on its next drive, as five consecutive completions of eight, four, 12, 23 and 27 yards resulted in a quick SU touchdown, as the Rams grabbed a 20-14 lead with a minute to go.
- The clock would runout in the first half on ESU's next possession, with the Rams scoring 20 consecutive points in just over eight minutes of clock.
- The Warrior offense could not get traction, as a sack on 3rd and 11 would halt a chance at retaking the lead. Bagent would find Foray for a 47-yd touchdown on its first drive of the second half to extend the Rams' lead to 27-14.
- Bagent added a touchdown to open the fourth quarter, with a short 4-yd strike to Marlon Cook on a 12-play 87-yd drive that took nearly seven minutes of game clock off the scoreboard.
- With SU leading 37-14, an 18-yd field goal with a minute left closed the scoring.
Up Next
ESU closes the 2022 season at California (Pa.) on Saturday at noon.
