Last Time Out
- Trailing 10-7 at halftime, the East Stroudsburg University football team's offense caught fire and its defense made plays when it mattered in a 37-30 win over California (PA) on Saturday afternoon at Eiler-Martin Stadium. Tied at 27-27 with just over six minutes remaining, Charlie McKee connected on an 80-yard touchdown play to give the Warriors the lead for good. Both squads added late field goals, as the Warriors recovered the ensuing on-side kick with 10 seconds remaining and kneeled the final ticks of the clock away.
- ESU QB Charlie McKee took over quarterback duties in the second half and the Warrior offense flourished, as the Oceanside, N.Y. native completed 7-11 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns, while also finding the end zone on a four-yard rushing touchdown.
- The Warrior offense compiled 295 yards of its 399 total offensive yards (74%) in the second half to keep pace with the high-power Cal offense that produced 430 yards. Cal QB Davis Black completed 31-46 passes for 364 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. His favorite targets were D'Avay Johnson (8 receptions for 136 yards) and Eric Willis III (9 rec.,84 yards, 1 TD)
- The ESU defense bent but didn't break, producing four turnovers with three interceptions and a fumble recovery. On his senior day, Daryn Blackwell recovered a fumble and posted his first career interception after a deflection from Deshawn McCarthy. Khalil Scott also registered his first career interception, while Shavar Hussett nabbed his third interception this season and his second over the past two weeks. Full Recap.
NCAA Playoff History: The Warriors are making its fifth trip to the NCAA Playoffs in 2023 and its first since 2009. The Warriors hold a 4-4 overall record in the playoffs, with ESU head coach Jimmy Terwilliger leading ESU to all four wins at quarterback during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
- 11-23-91 vs. Shippensburg L, 33-34 (OT)
- 11-20-04 vs. Edinboro W 36-32
- 11-27-04 vs. West Chester L 38-48
- 11-12-05 vs. SCSU W 55-33
- 11-19-05 at Bloomsburg W 52-39
- 11-26-05 vs. C.W. Post W 55-28
- 12-3-05 at Grand Valley St. L 20-55
- 11-14-09 vs. Edinboro L 16-31
The Series: The contest will be the 19th meeting between programs, with The Rock leading the series by a 15-3 mark. SRU has won four consecutive matchups, including the most recent 22-7 win in 2021 at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The Warriors hold victories over Slippery Rock in 1975 (7-0), 2008 (38-21) and 2009 (53-28).
A Look at The Rock: After a 10-0 start to the season and being nationally-ranked as high as No. 5 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, Slippery Rock stumbled in the PSAC Championship, falling to Kutztown, 31-7, last week at Andre Reed Stadium. SRU checks in this week at No. 15 in the AFCA poll and look to right the ship against ESU. The Rock closed the regular season with the top offense and defense in the PSAC in terms of yards gained and yards allowed. PSAC West Athlete of the Year QB Brayden Long leads the PSAC in passing yards and has helped SRU to the tenth-best scoring offense in NCAA DII. Long's favorite target is Kyle Sheets, who ranks third in NCAA DII with 15 receiving touchdowns and ninth in receiving yards (93.5 ypg.). Defensively, The Rock allows just 21.5 points per game and 321.6 yards per contest.
All-PSAC: The Warriors earned 10 All-PSAC East selections, as announced by the league on Wednesday. ESU’s 10 selections are the most since the 2005 season, with four Warriors landing on the All-PSAC East First Team and six landing on the second team. Landing on the All-PSAC East First Team for the Warriors were Tim Kinney (OT), Dasean Dixon (DL), Deshawn McCarthy and Jahmere Crumpton. ESU’s six All-PSAC East Second Team selections include: Tyriq Lewis (RB), Raymond Christas (C), Jonathan Post (TE), John Siggins (WR), Justin Cook (Return Specialist) and Sergei Felizor (LB). Full Release
QB By Committee: The Warriors have found success with three different quarterbacks this season in Charlie McKee, Sean McTaggart and Aaron Tobias. The trio has combined 2,270 yards passing (7th most in PSAC), completing 63.71 percent of its passes (22nd in DII, third in PSAC). The three QBs have combined for a top-10 mark in team passing efficiency (168.1). ESU’s eight interceptions thrown rank as the third fewest in the PSAC and 39th nationally.
Chuck E. Spirals: Chuck McKee lifted the Warriors with an impressive second half against the Vulcans. The Warrior offense compiled 295 yards of its 399 total offensive yards (74%) in the second half to keep pace with the high-power Cal offense that produced 430 yards. The 2021 New York State Gatorade Player of the Year has yet to throw an interception in 57 passing attempts at ESU, leading the Warriors with a 66.67 percent completion percentage. He has tossed eight touchdowns, holding significant roles in wins over IUP, Seton Hill and California (PA).
Tyriq and Tub: Similar to the strong quarterback room, ESU’s tailbacks Tyriq Lewis and Tahir “Tubby” Mills have combined for impressive number on the ground. The duo have combined for 1,207 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. As a result, the Warrior rushing offense ranks third in the PSAC and 44th in the country with 171.7 yards per contest. ESU has four lost fumbles on the season.
Balanced at WR: 16 different Warriors have registered a reception this season, as you never know who may catch a pass next in the Red and Black. ESU’s core five of John Siggins (442 yards, 7 touchdowns), Justin Cook (382 yards, 1 touchdown), DJ Thomson (353 yards, four touchdowns), Randy Fizer (249 yards, three touchdowns) and Evan Roche (221 yards, 2 touchdowns) average between 40.2 and 22.10 yards per contest). ESU has just one 100-yd receiving performance, with Siggins recording 120 yards against Seton Hill. 11 different receivers have recorded at least one touchdown through the air, with five recording three touchdowns.
Perfect against the West: ESU enters the contest with a 3-0 record in crossover matchups this season, defeating IUP (13-12), Seton Hill (55-21) and California (37-30) this season.
Stop the Run: The Warriors are among the best in NCAA Division II in stopping the run, leading the PSAC and rank 10th overall in the category. With a lone exception in a loss at Shephed, ESU has allowed just one 100-yard rusher this season and have only allowed three teams to rush for over 100 yards total.
Thievery: The Warriors are among the best nationally in intercepting the opposing quarterbacks, with 11 Warriors accounting for 19 interceptions. ESU trails national leader New Haven by just a single pick. All-PSAC East First Team defensive back Jahmere Crumpton leads the way with four interceptions, with TJ Harris and Shavar Hussett each with three. The Warriors rank seventh in total turnovers caused and turnover margin, while ranking 22nd in turnovers lost.
Sack Race: Entering potentially his final game at ESU, Deshawn McCarthy enters the contest with 31 career sacks in 42 games played. He’s ranks third all-time in the category with Joe Ruedt (1989) and sits three sacks behind Warrior co-record holders Des Hussey (1989-91) and Bill Camp (1981-84), who both have 33. McCarthy ranks seventh among active NCAA Football Players (FBS, FCS, NCAA DII, NCAA DII) in career sacks and ranks third among his NCAA Division II comrades.
Perfect in the Poconos: With the 37-30 win over the Vulcans, ESU recorded a perfect record at home for the first time since 2002 and earned a perfect 6-0 record at Eiler-Martin Stadium for just the third time in program history (1965, 2002, 2023). Overall, ESU has now went undefeated at home in 19 seasons. Home undefeated seasons include: 2023 (6-0) 2002 (6-0), 1992 (5-0), 1982 (5-0), 1979 (4-0), 1976 (5-0), 1968 (4-0), 1966 (3-0), 1965 (6-0), 1964 (4-0) 1962 (4-0), 1960 (4-0), 1956 (4-0), 1942 (3-0), 1934 (2-0-1), 1933 (3-0), 1932 (2-0-1), 1927 (5-0) and its inaugural season in 1926 (4-0).
Up Next: The winner between the Warriors and the Rock advances to play NCAA Super Region 1 No. 1 seed Tiffin on Saturday, Nov. 25 in the NCAA Second Round. Game time is set for noon at Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin, Ohio.
