EAST STROUDSBURG – Another commanding defensive performance led the East Stroudsburg University football team to a dominant 41-17 win over Shippensburg, as the Warriors improved to 8-1 through nine weeks for the first time since 1992 on Saturday afternoon at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
With the win, the Warriors (8-1, 5-1 PSAC East) turn its head to Shepherd (7-2, 4-2 PSAC East) with both teams looking to solidify their resumes for potential NCAA Tournament berths next Saturday in Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Notables
- The Warrior defense held Shippensburg to just 54 rushing yards on 38 attempts (1.4 yards per rush). The Raiders did not fare much better throwing the ball, with three Raider quarterbacks combining to complete 12-20 passes for 115 yards. The Warrior defense caused havoc, combining for eight sacks and forced three interceptions. Overall, ESU outgained Shippensburg by a mark of 310-169. Along with three turnovers and eight sacks, the Warriors forced six SU punts and held the Raiders to a 23 percent conversion rate on 3rd down (3-13) and stopped SU's lone 4th down attempt.
- Jahmere Crumpton recorded two interceptions and returned his interception 25 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter. Raymond Simmons IV also picked off an opposing quarterback.
- Dasean Dixon led ESU with 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Over his last three games, Dixon has combined for 20 tackles and five sacks. Aidan Hayward also recorded a pair of sacks, finishing with four tackles on the day. Terell Reynolds (2 tackles), Sergei Felizor (7 tackles, 2.0 TFL), Daryn Blackwell (2 tackles, 1 sacks) and Deshawn McCarthy (5 tackles, 0.5 sacks) all caused havoc. Felizor and McCarthy each pass breakups.
- Offensively, Aaron Tobias completed 11-20 passes for a touchdown and two interceptions. He found Dawson Stuart for 25-yd touchdown in the third quarter. Charlie McKee entered the game in the fourth quarter and completed all three of his attempts for 50 yards, including a highlight-reel worthy 32-yd touchdown connection to DJ Thomson. Tobias and McKee combined to complete 14-23 passes for 164 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
- The Warriors combined for 146 yards on the ground with the duo of Tahir Mills (12 att., 76 yards, 1 TD, long of 34) and Tyriq Lewis (13 att., 51 yards, 1 TD, long of 27) combining for 127 of those yards along with two touchdowns.
- All-America kicker Devin Bartholomew made both this field goal attempts (34 yards, 44 yards) and all five, while Ty Quintois booted all five extra-point attempts through the up-rights. Bartholomew added three punts for 87 yards on a windy day. He registered four touchbacks on kickoffs.
- The Warriors have now defeated the Raiders in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1960-61. ESU's 24-point win against SU is the largest since a 40-point victory (47-7) during the 1961 season.
How It Happened
- After winning the coin toss, the Warriors had a solid drive going, moving the ball 40 yards on 10 plays before Aaron Tobias' first interception this season ended the chance at putting up points. On Shippensburg's 3rd play of its first drive, Crumpton made a play and returned an interception 25 yards to lift ESU to a 7-0 lead with 8:55 to play.
- After exchanging punts, the Raiders got on the scoreboard, with a 32-yd field goal following a nine-play drive. The two foes traded punts once again as the game headed into the second quarter.
- Tobias and the Warriors extended its lead to a two-possession game next. After converting a 4th down opportunity on 4th and 4 from the Ship-32 yd line, Lewis got loose and found the end zone from 27 yards out for a touchdown, extending ESU's lead to 14-7.
- After more punts were exchanged, the Raiders closed the first half strong with one of its two touchdown drives. Falco found Karim Brice from 22 yards out to cut the deficit to 14-10 at halftime.
- After the Warrior defense forced another punt to open the second half Tobias capped an efficient six-play 73-yard drive with a 25-yd connection to Stuart. On its third play of the drive, Crumpton notched his second interception. Unfortunately for ESU, Tobias saw a potential touchdown pass intercepted on its first passing attempt of the drive.
- After a Raider 3-and-out, ESU extended its lead with a Bartholomew field goal. Simmons was able to stop a possible answer with his second interception of the season. Bartholomew's name was called again, as he put a 44-yard attempt through the uprights. ESU took a 27-10 lead into the final quarter.
- McKee took over quarterback duties following Shippensburg's punt to open the fourth quarter. On his first drive, the Long Island native found Thomson for another acrobatic catch from 32 yards out for the touchdown.
- After turning the ball over on downs on its own end, ESU capped its scoring, as Tahir Mills combined for 23 yards on five carries, finding the end zone on an 11-yard rush.
- SU ended the game strong offensively, compiling an 8-play, 49-yard drive. Jack Reed found Alex Rufe for an eight-yard touchdown in the end zone. With the score 41-17, with just 1:19 remaining, McKee took a pair of kneel downs to run out the clock to complete ESU's eighth win in nine weeks.
Up Next
- ESU (8-1, 5-1 PSAC East) heads to West Virginia next week for one final road contest during the regular season against Shepherd (7-2, 4-2 PSAC East). Game time is set for Noon in Shepherdstown.
