For Immediate Release

November 20, 2004

SHIP COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AGAINST WEST CHESTER IN NCAA SECOND ROUND, 33-28

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - West Chesterπs Osagie Osunde scored on a 1-yard run with 1:25 remaining in the game to lift the Golden Rams to a 33-28 victory over Shippensburg University in the Northeast Region semifinal game of the NCAA Division II Football Championships.

The Red Raiders (10-2) trailed 27-7 at the half before coming back to score 21 unanswered points to take a 28-27 lead with 5:00 remaining in the game.

Shippensburgπs comeback began on West Chesterπs (10-3) second possession of the third quarter. Senior defensive back Mike Street (Philadelphia, Pa./Mastbaum) made the play that turned the momentum in the Red Raiders favor, intercepting West Chester quarterback Bob Findora at the Shippensburg 22-yard line. Ten plays and 78 yards later, Shippensburg sophomore quarterback Tony Gomez (Pottsville, Pa./Pottstown) hit senior tight end Joel Gamble (Baltimore, Md./Carver) in the endzone for a 21-yard reception, cutting West Chesterπs lead to 27-14 at the end of the quarter. Senior fullback John Kuhn (York, Pa./Dover) rushed for 22 yards of the drive, while sophomore halfback Walter Crump (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) had 16.

On the Red Raiders next possession, big plays led to another touchdown to put the score at 27-21. Gomez connected with Crump for consecutive receptions of 15 and 8 yards respectively to the endzone as part of a seven play, 80 yard drive. The score was set up following a 45-yard pass reception by sophomore split end Tim Devanney (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg).

Shippensburg would take the lead on its next possession. Junior defensive back Brent Grimes (Philadelphia, Pa./Northeast) returned Dan Wilbourneπs punt 34 yards to the West Chester 33 to put the Red Raiders in scoring position. Four plays later, Gomez faked a handoff and took the ball into the endzone to tie the score 27-27. Freshman kicker Jamie Reder (Warrenton, Va./Fauquier) put the extra point through the posts a second later to give Shippensburg a 28-27 lead at the 5:00 minute mark.

Both teams were forced to punt the ball away on each of its next possessions. With 2:53 left in the game West Chester began the game-winning drive, beginning with a 44-yard pass reception to Omar Harris at the Shippensburg 15 yard line. Osunde would rush four times in the remainder of the drive to score. The two point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 33-28.

With 1:28 remaining in the game, Shippensburg drove quickly downfield in a last-ditch effort to score. Gomez completed two passes to junior split end Patrick Ferguson (Mt. Airy, Md./Urbana) for 13 and 17 yards in the drive, but Isiah Harrison intercepted Gomez at the West Chester 17 yard line to clinch the victory for West Chester.

Although Shippensburg outgained West Chester in total yardage (441 to 432) and first downs (24 to 16), penalties hurt the Red Raiders, with 10 for 106 yards. Big plays made a big factor in the game.

Kuhn led Shippensburg in rushing with 117 yards on 23 carries. Gomez completed 9 of 19 passes for 169 yards, with two touchdown receptions and a rushing touchdown. Ferguson was the leading receiver with four catches for 68 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, senior linebacker Chris Leonetti (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock) led the defense with 12 tackles (10 solo). He had one sack for a loss of seven yards. Sophomore defensive back John Sharbaugh (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) had six tackles, while Street and senior defensive tackle Chris Minner (Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh) each made five.

For the Golden Rams, Findora passed for 324 yards, completing 12-of-25 attempts. Simmons was his main target, with 124 reception yards on four catches for two touchdowns. Osunde led the team with 80 yards rushing on 20 carries. Joe Brooks led the defense with nine tackles.

Each team scored on its first possession of the game. West Chester took an early 7-0 lead when Findora hooked up with Brandon Simmons for a 61-yard touchdown reception. Shippensburg came back to tie the game 7-7 with its own big play, as Gomez threw a 30 yard pass to Ferguson for a score.

Turnovers determined much of the first half, occurring on three consecutive series. Lateef Ferguson intercepted Gomez for West Chester, while Shippensburgπs Grimes stretched out on the next series to pick off Findora. Kuhn closed out the half for Shippensburg with a fumble, which led to West Chesterπs next touchdown.

West Chester scored on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter to take a 27-7 lead, with big plays again making the difference in the game. On the second play of the quarter, a 34-yard reception to Matt Chambers gave the Golden Rams the lead. Osunde scored the next touchdown on a 30-yard rush. He also caught a 45-yard pass in the five play, 74 yard drive. Simmons scored his second touchdown of the game with a 20-yard pass reception on a 70-yard, 10 play drive. Steinmetz also picked up 37 yards of the drive with a catch.

Shippensburg concludes its season while West Chester moves on to play East Stroudsburg on Saturday, November 27 in the Northeast Region title game. East Stroudsburg defeated Edinboro 36-32 in the final 22 seconds in the other Northeast region game semifinal game today.

- Red Raider Football -