The Red Raiders capped a miraculous comeback against the East Stroudsburg Warriors, converting a two-point conversion in the fifth overtime to finalize the score at 69-67.
Quarterback Ryan Zapoticky found receiver Jordan Harro in the back of the end zone for the finishing touches on the game, which was the longest in SU football history. Highlights of the game were selected to be on ESPN’s top 10 plays, which appeared on Saturday night and Sunday morning’s editions of Sportscenter.
The game did not start of so spectacularly for the Red Raiders, who were dominated for a majority of the contest. East Stroudsburg quarterback Matt Soltes connected with receivers for four touchdowns in the first half, taking a 27-0 lead with 7:45 left in the second quarter.
However, SU responded to the Warriors’ final score quickly when running back Justin Pyle broke free for a 66-yard scoring run just 23 seconds later. The Red Raiders brought the score to 27-14 when Zapoticky found Pyle for 25 yard score in the last minute of the first half.
The Warriors came roaring out of the half, adding two touchdowns to take a commanding 41-14 lead with 5:03 left in the third quarter. Yet, that would cap the Warriors’ regulation score, as the momentum completely shifted to the Red Raiders after Zapoticky found receiver Sheldon Mayer for a 61-yard score late in the third quarter.
On the ensuing Warriors’ possession, Red Raiders’ senior safety Chad Miller collected his first career interception, setting up another passing touchdown to Mayer to bring the score to 41-28 with 1:25 remaining in the third quarter.
Running back Andrew Smith scored on a 22-yard run to open the scoring in the fourth quarter before Zapoticky was able to complete the comeback and tie the game at 41 when he found receiver Mike Brown for a 7-yard score with 52 seconds remaining in the game.
The overtime periods were similar in the back-and-forth nature of the rest of this game. The Warriors opened the scoring when Soltes added an 8-yard passing score, but the Red Raiders responded with a Paryss Marshall 11-yard touchdown to bring the game to even at 48.
Pyle and Brown each added scores in the following quarters while Soltes continued to account for the majority of the Warriors’ scoring with two more passing scores. This set up the fifth and final overtime period, with the game tied at 61.
Soltes opened the quarter with his ninth and final touchdown of the day, giving the Warriors a 61-67 lead. However, this set up the Red Raiders to tie the game at 67 with another Pyle rushing score and then clinch the victory by going for the two-point conversion on the final play of the game.
Harro was able to pull in a Zapoticky pass with a diving effort to give the Red Raiders the 69-67 victory. Zapoticky finished the day with 320 passing yards and six touchdowns and Pyle had four rushing touchdowns, leading the team offensively.
The Warriors’ Soltes tied a PSAC record with nine touchdown passes and receiver Jon Shnaars set PSAC records with 20 catches and seven receiving scores.
The Red Raiders return to action next weekend when they have a match up against Lock Haven at Seth Grove Stadium on Saturday.
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