Shippensburg University head coach Mark Maciejewski said all week that the game plan against Millersville University was to run the ball, but even he could not have expected what transpired on Saturday.

The Red Raider football team ran for 153 yards in the first half to set up SU’s prolific play-action passing game, as quarterback Ryan Zapoticky shined, throwing for 237 yards and five touchdowns in SU’s 51-14 win on homecoming.

It was an outstanding day for SU running backs Cole Chiappialle and Colin McDermott, as Chiappialle ran for 73 yards and two scores on 14 carries, while McDermott carried the ball a career-high 25 times for 102 yards – his second consecutive 100-yard game. As a team, SU ran the ball 57 times for 258 yards.

“Both of those guys run hard,” Maciejewski said. “Not only did our running backs do a good job the offensive line did a good job blocking today. It takes everybody for a play to be successful and our guys were really on the same page today.”

SU (7-1, 4-1 PSAC East) had ample opportunities in the first half and took advantage of the scoring chances, coming away with a touchdown on each of its first five possessions. 

On the opening drive, SU moved straight down the field, punishing Millersville (3-5, 2-3 PSAC East) with multiple rushes of more than 10 yards to set the Red Raiders up with a first-and-goal at the Millersville 5-yard line. On third down, Zapoticky stepped back and fired a bullet to his left, finding tight end Shea O’Donnell for a 5-yard score. 

“Zap was on,” Maciejewski said. “He threw some really good passes today and had guys catching them. We went into the game wanting to run the ball and we were able to establish that and that opened a lot of things up for us.”

The touchdown was just a short glimpse of what was to come.

Later in the first, Zapoticky found wide receiver Charles Headen III on a slant route for 30 yards, before capping off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kyle Haines on a perfectly thrown ball over the middle, giving SU a 14-0 lead.

After a Millersville three-and-out, the Red Raiders continued their strong start with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Chiappialle as he scampered around the left side untouched. On the next drive, Headen III caught a 10-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead.

The Red Raider defense then attacked the Marauders, as Kevin Taylor intercepted a Tony Staffieri pass after Staffieri faced immense pressure.

On the very next play, Zapoticky found receiver Winston Eubanks for a 32-yard touchdown, rubbing some dirt on the Marauder mistake, as SU led 34-0. 

Chiappialle added another score on the ground after a fumble was recovered by SU defensive end Nick Drawbaugh on a Tim Bradley strip-sack, as the Red Raiders led 41-0 at the half.

Zapoticky eventually added his final touchdown on a 37-yard connection with Eubanks, who finished the day with three catches for 93 yards and two scores.

SU junior linebacker Tyler Emge had six tackles, two of which were for a loss, with two pass break-ups. Defensive end Dakota Thompson finished the game with his team-leading sixth sack of the year. Taylor recorded his second interception of the game and his fourth of the season, while breaking up two passes in the game.

Zapoticky and Taylor were named the offensive and defensive Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Homecoming MVPs, respectively.

Taylor has had a ton of success playing on homecoming at Seth Grove Stadium the last two seasons, intercepting two passes this year as well as an interception returned for a touchdown last year against Kutztown University.

“It’s the greatest environment in the PSAC,” Taylor said. “It’s amazing to play in front of our fans.”

With Zapoticky’s 237 yards passing he moved into second all-time in career-passing yards, passing Brian Gilbert (6,205 yards). Zapoticky also surpassed 2,000 passing yards on the season.

“I take it as an accomplishment, but everyone around me has down a great job,” Zapoticky said. “The offensive line especially and the backs getting the protection right and using the running game. It’s a great group to be around.”

The Red Raiders now focus on traveling to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division rival Kutztown on Oct. 28. SU enters the game in a four-way tie for the PSAC East lead with Kutztown, Bloomsburg University and West Chester University. West Chester holds the tiebreaker over SU after defeating SU 37-27 two weeks ago.

Maciejewski alluded to falling short of the PSAC title game or “state game” the last few years, and the focus the team has on making the 2017 playoffs.

“It’s a three-game season right now,” Maciejewski said. “We have to look at the big picture and look at some of the things we can accomplish if we take care of business. We have things we want to accomplish we haven’t in the last few years and deep down in our hearts that’s great motivation for us.”

With the big win on homecoming, SU hopes to carry a wave of momentum into Kutztown next week.

“It’s huge,” Zapoticky said. “A win like this can really build some momentum. We just need to keep it going.”

The Red Raiders will face the Golden Bears on Saturday, looking to spoil Kutztown’s homecoming after the Golden Bears defeated SU 24-21 in double-overtime last year on homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. at Andre Reed Stadium.

NOTES:

· SU has tallied 400 or more yards of total offense in all seven games this season.

· SU’s Colin McDermott and Cole Chiappialle are tied for 5th in the PSAC with eight rushing touchdowns.

· With his 237 yards, quarterback Ryan Zapoticky surpassed 2,000 yards on the season, throwing for 2,161 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also thrown just two interceptions in 243 passing attempts.

· Zapoticky has recorded 6,311 career passing yards, passing Brian Gilbert (6,205 yards) for third all-time. He needs just 55 yards to pass Chris Gicking for second-all time. Zach Zulli is SU’s all-time leading passer with 10,988 yards.

· Billy Deane’s third quarter 40-yard field goal was Deane’s longest made field goal of the year. Deane is now third all-time in scoring by SU kickers with 227 career points. He needs just three points to tie Howie Guarini for second-place, and 21 points to tie all-time kicking points leader Jamie Reder.

· With Saturday’s 51-14 win, SU improves to 7-3 on homecoming dating back to 2008.

· Shippensburg University was ranked Ninth in the initial Atlantic Region Rankings released on Monday, Oct. 23. The Top 7 teams in the region will advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

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