SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

October 16, 2004

SHIP SURVIVES EARLY SCARE; SCORES 32 UNANSWERED POINTS AT CALIFORNIA (PA)

CALIFORNIA, Pa. ≠ The Shippensburg University football team rallied from a 14-point first quarter deficit, due in large part to special teams, as the 17th-ranked Red Raiders pulled away with a 32-14 victory at Adamson Stadium on Homecoming Weekend at California University (Pa.).

Shippensburg (7-1, 3-1 PSAC West) freshman kicker Jamie Reder (Warrenton, Va./Faquier) set a new school record for points scored by kicking in a single-game with 14 on four field goals and two extra points. The old mark of 13 points was shared by three people, most recently accomplished by Craig Lough at East Stroudsburg University on October 9, 1999.

Rederπs four field goals also tied the school record for field goals in a game, a mark accomplished four times by three different players. Prior to this afternoon, the last occurrence came back on September 29, 1990 when Howie Guarini made four in a 20-12 loss at Slippery Rock University.

The majority of the Vulcansπ (4-3, 1-3 PSAC West) offense came in the first quarter after they scored touchdowns on their first two possessions. Following a punt on Shippensburgπs first drive, California (Pa.) took over on the Red Raider 34-yard line. On the Vulcansπ first play from scrimmage, Dustin Strayer connected with Claude Whitaker for a 34-yard touchdown pass to give them a 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive for Shippensburg, California (Pa.) forced a fumble by senior fullback John Kuhn (York, Pa./Dover) at Ship 39-yard line that was recovered by Brian Mohr. A few plays and a pass interference penalty later, the Vulcans faced a first-and-goal at the Red Raider 3-yard line.

After three consecutive stops by the defense, Calπs Antoine Bagwell scored on a 1-yard plunge over the top of the pile on fourth down to give the Vulcans a 14-0 lead with 8:48 left in the first quarter.

After a lethargic start, Shippensburg regained life on its fourth possession after driving 69 yards in 12 plays for their first score, a 5-yard run by sophomore quarterback Tony Gomez (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville). On the drive, Kuhn carried the Red Raiders downfield, accounting for eight plays and 42 yards (35 rushing, 7 receiving).

Kuhn finished the game with 168 yards rushing on 35 carries to lead a Shippensburg rushing attack that totaled 370 yards. Ship held a 437-144 edge in total offense and dominated the time of possession, 41:22 to 18:38. Meanwhile, the Red Raider defense held California (Pa.) to just 144 yards of total offense, including 55 yards rushing. Bagwell, who entered the game ranked second in the nation in rushing at 180.8 yards per game, was held to just 68 yards on 19 carries.

The touchdown by Gomez rejuvenated the Shippensburg offense that proceeded to score on its next four consecutive drives to take a nine-point lead, 23-14. The Red Raiders tied the game at 14-14 with 12:56 remaining in the second quarter when Gomez found sophomore receiver Tim Devanney (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg). On the play, the Vulcansπ Jerry Ntakrah gambled for the interception and allowed Devanney to take it in for the score.

With Shippensburg leading by nine following a 20-yard field goal by Reder in the third quarter, Calπs Mark Huddleston returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to cut Ship lead to three, but an inadvertent whistle by the officials, negated the return and placed the ball at the Ship 20-yard line. Three plays later, Shippensburg senior cornerback Brent Grimes (Philadelphia, Pa./Northeast) intercepted the ball in the end zone, preserving the nine-point lead.

Still looking to add some breathing room, Shippensburg drove to the California (Pa.) 39-yard line late in the third quarter. Facing a fourth-down, a bad snap forced Red Raider junior punter Denver Brydon (Salix, Pa./Forest Hills) to scramble and quick kick to avoid the rush. Fortunately, the Vulcans were penalized for roughing the kicker, extending the Shippensburg drive which resulted in a 23-yard field goal by Reder, his fourth of the game.

The Red Raidersπ win, combined with Indiana Universityπs (Pa.) 38-14 loss at Edinboro University, created a tie for first-place atop the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division standings.

Shippensburg will face it second-straight road challenge next Saturday when it travels to Clarion University. Game time at Memorial Stadium is at 6:00 p.m.

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