Reder's Three Field Goals Key Red Raiders' 23-14 Win at Millersville
Oct. 13, 2007
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Senior Jamie
Reder (Warrenton, Va./Fauquier) made all three of his field goal attempts
and the offense controlled the ball for over 20 minutes in the second half
as Shippensburg won its second-straight game of the season Saturday, 23-14
over Millersville at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium. The win extended
the Red Raiders' winning streak over the Marauders to four.
Shippensburg (2-5), who entered the game ranked second in the PSAC in time
of possession behind Millersville, totaled 32:38 in possession time, including
20:29 of the 30 minutes in the second half.
Also for the second consecutive week, the Red Raiders were led by red-shirt
senior Aaron Dykes (West Chester/Downingtown) who totaled 79 yards rushing
and one touchdown. Joining Dykes was red-shirt junior David Richards
(Clearfield/Clearfield) who also had 79 yards and a touchdown rushing as the two combined for 158
of Shippensburg's 186 yards rushing.
Ironically, Shippensburg also totaled 186 yards passing as red-shirt senior
Gabe Maiocco (Media/Marple Newtown) completed 16-of-28 pass attempts, six
of which went to red-shirt sophomore Mike Harris (East Earl/Garden
Spot) for a game-high 80 yards. Saturday marked the sixth-straight game in which
Maiocco completed at least one pass to five different receivers.
In the absence of red-shirt senior Howard Chavous (Collingdale/Academy
Park),
Harris hauled in at least six receptions for the fifth time in seven games
this season and totaled at least 80 yards for the third time. Against West
Chester on September 22, Harris had seven receptions for 114 yards, both
career-highs. The last receiver to total over 100 yards more than once in
a season was Patrick Ferguson who did it three times in 2004.
The Red Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead with less than five minutes gone
by in the first quarter as Dykes capped off a 5-play, 73-yard drive with
a 16-yard touchdown run with 10:29 remaining. The touchdown run was the eighth
of the season for Dykes who entered the season with eight in his previous
three seasons combined. His 16-yard run was also the second-longest of his
career, second only to his 37-yard touchdown run at Slippery Rock on Oct.
29, 2005.
Shippensburg extended its lead to 10 when Reder made a 31-yard field goal
with 49 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Following a 3-yard touchdown run by Jamal Smith, Millersville (2-5) would
pull within three early in the second quarter, but Richards would score on
a 15-yard run right before the half to give the Red Raiders a 17-7 halftime
lead.
Smith finished the game with 173 yards of total offense as he ran for 99
and passed for 74, completing 10-of-30 pass attempts.
After a scoreless third quarter in which the two teams combined for six punts,
Shippensburg would add to its lead with 14:09 left in the fourth when Reder
connected on a 41-yard field goal attempt, capping a 14-play, 67-yard drive
that used 5:43 and gave the Red Raiders a 20-7 lead. The field goal marked
the sixth scoring drive of the season for Shippensburg of at least 12 plays
and 65 yards.
However, it would not take the Marauders long to respond as they went 72
yards in just six plays and 1:37, culminated by a 17-yard touchdown pass
from Smith to Jimmie Cotton to pull within one possession, 20-14 with 12:27
left.
But, on their ensuing possession, the Red Raiders would get a 31-yard field
goal from Reder, his third of the game, to jump back in front by nine. Not
only were Reder's three field goals the difference in the score, but they
also marked the 11th time in his 41-game career that he has made multiple
field goals in a game and the sixth time that he has made three or more.
Following the field goal, the Shippensburg defense would limit Millersville
to just 25 yards on its final three possessions and 15 plays, sealing the
Red Raiders' second-straight road win and first against the PSAC Eastern
Division this season. Shippensburg held the Marauders to just 101 yards of
total offense on just 30 plays in the second half, including five three-and-outs.
Red-shirt juniors Josh Oswalt (Carlisle/Cumberland Valley) and Jason
Groller (Easton/Easton) led the defensive with eight and seven tackles, respectively,
while also totaling 0.5 tackles for loss each.
After back-to-back road wins, Shippensburg will look for its first home win
of the 2007 season next Saturday, October 20 when the team welcomes Slippery
Rock to Seth Grove Stadium. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. Both teams are currently
tied for fourth place in the PSAC Western Division with identical 1-1 conference
records.
- Red Raider Football -
