The Shippensburg University football team started strong against West Chester on Saturday, but in the third quarter SU was outscored 24-0, turning into a 38-28 defeat. The Raiders led 14-7 at the half, but the strong start by the defense could not last.
The Raiders got on the board first, with freshman quarterback Sam Stoner connecting with redshirt freshman Jaimen Bryant on a 54-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. Bryant led the team in receiving yards for the day with 82 on three catches.
SU then made it back-to-back scoring drives as Stoner threw another touchdown, this time to junior Redd Douglas from six yards out to make it a 14-0 game. West Chester got a touchdown later in the quarter from fullback Brody McAndrew to end the half at 14-7.
West Chester tied the game on its first drive of the second half, before forcing a Raiders three-and-out. Their next drive was another touchdown, with Daquan Robinson picking up a 10-yard rushing touchdown to make it 21-14 in favor of the Golden Rams.
After another Raiders punt, West Chester put together its third straight scoring drive, grabbing a field goal to make it a 10-point lead. The Raiders then put a drive together on offense, featuring a 57-yard run from graduate Onasis Neely. However, later on the drive, Neely fumbled the ball on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line. The fumble was recovered by West Chester DB Maurice Beverly, who ran it back 99 yards for a West Chester touchdown to make it 31-14.
SU scored early in the fourth quarter, with Stoner throwing a 51-yard touchdown to sophomore Alex Rufe, lowering the deficit to 10. Stoner threw interceptions on each of the Raiders’ next two drives, with West Chester capitalizing on the second one for another touchdown, this time from Dayshawn Jacobs.
SU got one more touchdown late in the game, with redshirt sophomore Tanner Hess picking up a three-yard rushing touchdown with two seconds left in the game, ending the score at 38-28 West Chester.
Hess had a new career high in rushing yards, with 133 on 22 carries. Stoner ended up completing 14 of 32 passes for 268 yards, including three touchdowns along with two interceptions. Hess led the team in rushing, with Neely also having a strong day, picking up 85 yards on eight carries. Douglas led SU in catches with five for 80 yards.
Senior Jacoby Sherard was the star on defense for the Raiders, racking up nine tackles, including a career-high 2.5 sacks. Redshirt freshman Ibrahim Diawara also had multiple sacks for the first time as a Raider.
Shippensburg football hits the road this week for a matchup against Kutztown. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on Saturday.
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