MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – Behind three touchdowns from junior Justin Cook and three interceptions from the defense, the East Stroudsburg University football team trounced Millersville, 57-17, on Saturday afternoon at Biemesderfer Stadium.

The Warriors (4-1, 1-1 PSAC East) bounced back after a tough six-point loss to nationally ranked Kutztown last week. The Marauders (0-5, 0-2 PSAC East) remain winless in 2024.

Cook finished the contest with 111 receiving yards on seven receptions, including touchdown strikes from 33 and 42 yards. He also became the all-time kickoff return touchdown leader in program history with a 99-yard return to wrap up the scoring in the fourth quarter. Cook tallied 220 all-purpose yards in the game and now leads the team in receiving this season, with 13 receptions for 179 yards.

Offensive Notables

• Quarterback Sean McTaggart completed 13 of 23 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 20 yards and added a two-yard touchdown run on 4th down. Playing just miles from his hometown of Lancaster, the Lampeter-Strasburg graduate now owns a 60.55% completion percentage with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions on the season.

• Tailback Tyriq Lewis had 64 yards on just six carries, finding the end zone twice. The Downingtown, Pa., native now has 394 rushing yards and five touchdowns in five games.

• Tahir Mills contributed 61 rushing yards on 16 carries.

• John Siggins joined Cook, Lewis, and McTaggart in the end zone with a 40-yard touchdown.

• Evan Roche caught two passes for 53 yards, including a 43-yard reception.

• The Warriors were efficient on third and fourth downs, converting 10 of 15 opportunities and scoring on all four red-zone trips. ESU punted just once, on its opening drive.

Defensive Notables

• The Warrior defense shined, forcing three interceptions and holding Millersville quarterback Ryan Zelt to just 12 completions on 22 attempts for 71 yards. It was the fewest passing yards allowed since holding Seton Hill to 70 yards in 2022.

• Everette Dingle, Adewale Obayanju, and Xavier Gary each recorded interceptions.

• Raymond Simmons IV led the team with nine tackles, while Matthew Davis and Jamori Stepheny each had seven. Stepheny also recorded a tackle for loss.

• Ashton Blose had a sack, while Noah Hambrick and TJ Harris each broke up a pass.

• ESU's defense stepped up on third down, allowing just five first downs on 13 opportunities and forcing seven Millersville punts.

Special Teams Notables

• Cook wrapped up the scoring with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, becoming the first Warrior to record more than two kickoff return touchdowns in program history. He previously returned a 95-yard touchdown against Slippery Rock last season in the NCAA playoffs and broke the record for the longest kickoff return in program history with a 100-yard return against Bloomsburg as a freshman in 2022. He surpasses Rece Bender (2018-21), Dennis McWhite (1992-95), and Dennis Mailhot (1987-90), who each had two kickoff return touchdowns. The Harrisburg native now holds the two longest kickoff return touchdowns in program history (1st – 100 yards, tied for 2nd – 99 yards with Bender) and has 1,435 kickoff return yards, ranking fourth all-time. He trails all-time leader Chris Gerhard (2,008 yards, 1983-86) by 573 yards, less than halfway through his junior season.

• Ty Quintois made all three of his field goal attempts (37, 23, 41 yards) and six of seven extra-point attempts. He also booted two touchbacks on 10 kickoff attempts.

• Adam Noll made the most of his one punting opportunity, hitting a 45-yard punt to the Millersville 1-yard line.

How It Happened

Up Next

• ESU is back on the road Saturday, Oct. 12, looking to spoil Bloomsburg's Homecoming. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Redman Stadium.