Shippensburg University’s football team fell to 1-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play after falling at home to No. 4 Shepherd 30-13.
The SU defense held Shepherd’s top-ranked offense to just seven first half points, in part thanks to heavy rainfall, but a 16-0 third quarter catapulted the Rams to a win.
The Raiders struck first in the contest after sophomore Khalid Dorsey got loose on an 80-yard touchdown run with 2:05 remaining in the first half.
Shepherd would quickly respond however, as reigning Harlon Hill winning quarterback Tyson Bagent threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to even the score 7-7 going into halftime.
The second half began sloppy for Shippensburg as they gave up a safety after a snap flew over the head of redshirt-freshman punter Tanner Luther and out of the endzone. Bagent would then throw another touchdown pass on the ensuing possession to stretch the Rams lead to 16-7.
After redshirt-freshman quarterback Sam Johnson III threw the first of his two second-half interceptions, Shepherd would capitalize with another touchdown courtesy of a Ronnie Brown 20-yard touchdown scamper. The Rams led 23-7 heading into the final frame.
SU tried to climb back into the game in the fourth quarter, with Johnson III delivering a strike to redshirt-freshman wide receiver Alex Rufe for a 57-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to ten.
Brown would essentially put the game away for Shepherd though with a 43-yard touchdown with just 1:33 remaining.
Begent finished the game 27-45 for 252 yards and two touchdowns and Brown finished the game with 171 yards rushing.
Johnson III completed the game 17-29 for 197 yards and a touchdown, along with two interceptions. Dorsey set a new career-high with 119 yards rushing.
The Raiders defense was led by redshirt-junior linebacker Tyler Simon, who finished with 13 tackles and a forced fumble. Redshirt-sophomore defensive back Khi’on Smith followed up with seven tackles and two pass breakups.
SU’s defense was not able to get key stops however as Shepherd converted 8-16 third downs on their way to victory.
Shippensburg will return to the field next week as they travel to West Chester to take on the Golden Rams during their homecoming, on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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