CLARION, Pa. – Trailing 19-14 in the fourth quarter, East Stroudsburg University redshirt junior quarterback Sean McTaggart connected with redshirt freshman fullback Matt Frame for a 12-yard go-ahead touchdown, and the Warrior defense made a late stop to secure a 22-19 victory over Clarion on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The Warriors (10-1) close the regular season with 10 wins and now await the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday at 6 p.m. The Golden Eagles finished the 2024 season with a 3-8 record.
ESU held a 14-0 lead in the first half, but Clarion scored 19 unanswered points to take a 19-14 lead in the fourth quarter. McTaggart responded with a touchdown pass to Frame, giving the Warriors a 22-19 lead. Clarion regained possession with 1:50 remaining, aiming to tie or win on senior day. The Golden Eagles advanced to their 38-yard line after two Warrior penalties, but Terrell Reynolds sealed the game with a sack as time expired.
Offensive Notables
- McTaggart completed 18-of-30 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. The Lancaster native ends the regular season with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He connected with 11 different Warriors on 18 completions and also found John Siggins for a two-point conversion.
- Harrison Susi completed one pass for eight yards and rushed for an eight-yard touchdown to open the scoring.
- Tailbacks Tyriq Lewis and Tahir Mills combined for 142 yards on 27 carries, averaging over five yards per carry. Lewis led the team in receiving, recording a 41-yard catch.
- Frame caught three passes for 25 yards, including the 12-yard game-winning touchdown.
- Dawson Stuart caught a two-yard touchdown pass from McTaggart.
Defensive Notables
- Raymond Simmons IV led the team with 12 tackles, including a sack, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. He recorded 1.5 tackles for loss.
- Lucas Skelley contributed six tackles, including a half-tackle for loss.
- Terrell Reynolds secured the win with a game-ending sack.
Special Teams Notables
- Ty Quintois converted both of his extra-point attempts but missed his lone field goal attempt from 39 yards.
- Reigning PSAC East Special Teams Athlete of the Week Adam Nool averaged 41.3 yards on three punts, pinning two inside Clarion's 20-yard line.
- Justin Cook and Elijah Carroll each posted two kick returns. Carroll led with 42 return yards, including a long of 28 yards, while Cook totaled 28 yards with a long of 15.
Double-Digit Wins
- ESU has reached 10 wins in a season for the sixth time in program history, the first since Harlon Hill Trophy winner and current head coach Jimmy Terwilliger led the team to an 11-3 record and NCAA Semifinal appearance in 2005. Terwilliger also guided the team to 10 wins (10-2) as quarterback in 2004. ESU also achieved double-digit wins in 1978 (10-1), 1975 (10-0), and 1965 (10-0).
- This marks the first time ESU has reached double-digit wins without a victory in the PSAC Championship or NCAA Playoffs. The Warriors will aim to match their record of 11 wins next Saturday in the NCAA Playoffs.
NCAA Selection Show
- ESU's playoff matchup will be revealed on Sunday at 6 p.m. during the NCAA Division II Selection Show on NCAA.com.
- The Warriors have been ranked sixth in the past NCAA Super Region 1 rankings. With Saturday's results, ESU may surpass fifth-ranked Findlay, who lost 17-14 to Tiffin. If rankings hold, the Warriors may head to fourth-ranked Slippery Rock for the NCAA Playoff First Round, repeating last year's matchup. Alternatively, if ESU remains sixth, a trip to California (Pa.)—third seed entering the week—could be possible following their 21-14 loss to Kutztown in the PSAC Championship. Official details will be announced Sunday night.
How It Happened
- Following a punt on their opening drive and a defensive stop on downs, the Warriors opened the scoring on their second drive. On a fake punt, Dawson Stuart rushed for 19 yards to move the chains. McTaggart connected with Cook for a 15-yard gain on third-and-10, and Susi capped the drive with a rushing touchdown, giving ESU a 7-0 lead.
- The Warriors extended their lead with an 11-play, 68-yard drive, culminating in McTaggart's touchdown pass to Stuart.
- Clarion responded with a 52-yard completion from Anthony Guercio to Ray Jackson. ESU ended the half with a goal-line stand, holding a 14-7 lead at the break.
- Clarion tied the game in the second half with a 15-play, 83-yard drive capped by a 16-yard touchdown rush from Michael Akinleye, though a missed extra point kept ESU ahead 14-13.
- Despite a 41-yard reception by Lewis, Quintois missed a 39-yard field goal, keeping the margin tight. Clarion took their first lead at 19-14 on Guercio's 43-yard rush, followed by a touchdown but failed two-point conversion.
- McTaggart led a crucial 10-play, 86-yard drive, converting a third-and-10 with a 15-yard pass to Mills and finding Frame for the game-winning 12-yard touchdown on third-and-three.
- Clarion's final possession was thwarted by Reynolds' game-ending sack, preserving ESU's 10th win.
Up Next
- ESU's NCAA Playoff opponent will be announced on Sunday at 6 p.m. during the NCAA Division II Selection Show on NCAA.com.
