The Series: Saturday’s matchup will be the 10th meeting between programs all-time, with Shepherd leading the series, 6-3. SU leads 3-0 in conference matchups, as ESU seeks its first win since then freshman and now ESU head coach Jimmy Terwilliger led the Warriors to a 35-7 win at Ram Stadium in 2003. Terwilliger completed 17-30 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown, along with rushing for 54 yards and a score. Greg Vaughn led the rushing attack with 133 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Triolo caught the lone touchdown pass, while Tim Strenfel led the way with 94 yards receiving.
Last Matchup with the Rams: Current Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent led Shepherd to a 37-14 win over ESU at Eiler-Martin Stadium on Nov. 5, 2022. Bagent became the NCAA Division II career passing touchdown leader, passing ESU head coach Jimmy Terwilliger’s record of 149 passing touchdowns.
A look at SU: The Rams look to bounce back after being upset by Bloomsburg last week in a 14-10 win for the Huskies at Redman Stadium. SU owns the third best passing offense in the league, averaging 253.6 yards per contest, with QB Seth Morgan ranked only behind Slippery Rock’s Brayden Long in passing yards per game. Morgan averages 246.7 yards per game, with 16 touchdowns to six interceptions. The Rams have the best kickoff return and second-best punt return in the PSAC. The contest is a much
Nine is Fine: The Warriors look to earn nine wins in a season for the first time since 2008. With a win, ESU will have reached the nine-win mark for the ninth time in program history. ESU looks to improve to 9-1 for the first time since 1978.
ESU seasons with at least 9 wins
- 2008: 9-2
- 2005: 11-3
- 2004: 10-2
- 1982: 9-2
- 1978: 10-1
- 1976: 9-0
- 1975: 10-0
- 1965: 10-0
Building a Resume: With an 8-1 record through nine weeks, the NCAA announced on Monday that the Warriors were tabbed fourth in the NCAA Super Region 1 rankings. With ESU’s final two opponents Shepherd (9th) and California Pa. (6th) also featured in the rankings, the Warriors look to build its case for an NCAA Tournament at-large berth. The berth would be the fifth in program history for ESU and its first since 2009.
| RANK | SCHOOL | DII RECORD | IN-REGION RECORD |
|---|
| 1 | Slippery Rock | 9-0 | 8-0 |
| 2 | Tiffin | 9-0 | 9-0 |
| 3 | Charleston (W.VA.) | 7-1 | 7-1 |
| 4 | East Stroudsburg | 8-1 | 8-1 |
| 5 | Frostburg State | 6-2 | 6-2 |
| 6 | California (Pa.) | 6-2 | 6-2 |
| 7 | Kutztown | 7-2 | 7-2 |
| 8 | Fairmont State | 7-2 | 7-2 |
| 9 | Shepherd | 7-2 | 7-2 |
| 10 | New Haven | 5-2 | 5-2 |
QB by Committee: The Warriors' offense has been efficient with timely big plays. With the quarterback triple threat of Sean McTaggart, Aaron Tobias and Charlie McKee, ESU ranks in the top-25 nationally in 3rd down conversion percentage (11th, .50%), 4th down conversion percentage (.688, 12th), completion percentage (66.7%, 9th), red zone offense (92.3%, 5th), passing efficiency (170.31, 6th nationally), time of possession (32:45, 13th) and turnovers lost (7, 7th).
Dominant D: ESU's dominating defense continues to cause havoc, with the Warrior rushing defense ranked fifth nationally among 161 teams by averaging 68.9 yards allowed per game. The Warriors rank in the top-25 in several defensive categories in NCAA DII, including defensive touchdowns (4, 3rd nationally), first-down defense (133, 24th nationally), passes intercepted (14, 13th nationally), team sacks (3.11 per game, 13th nationally), total defense (259.6 yards per game allowed, 13th nationally), turnovers gained (20, 17th nationally), and turnover margin (1.44, 6th nationally). ESU has yet to allow a 300-yd passer or a 100-yd rusher through nine weeks and have allowed over 100 rushing yards total just twice in 2023.
RUSH ESU: The Warrior rushing attack has been impressive as well, with ESU ranking second in the country in fewest fumbles lost (1). Tyriq Lewis (688 yds, 8 TD, 74.22 yards per game) and Tahir Mills (398 yards, 5.9 yards per carry, 4 touchdowns, 56.86 yards per game) have combined for 1,086 yards, 12 touchdowns for an average of 120.7 yards per game.
The World Wide Leader: Following ESU’s 41-17 win over Shippensburg, ESPN recognized DJ Thomson’s 32-yd one-handed touchdown grab as the No. 2 play on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays. Additionally, Thomson’s catch was featured at halftime of the Arizona vs. Oregon State game, with Sam Acho featuring the play on the “Acho Mind” segment.
Big Play Don: DJ Thomson has been making plays all season for the Warriors, with 13 catches for 314 yards and four touchdowns. He is averaging 24.2 yards per catch, recording at least a 20-yd reception in seven of eight contests her has appeared in this season.
Up Next: ESU closes the regular season with a pivotal contest for both the Warriors and California (Pa.) Vulcans on Sat., Nov. 13. The Senior Day contest is set to begin at 1:05 p.m.
