Reder Kicks Three Field Goals in Season-Ending 30-9 Loss at No. 6 California (Pa.)
Nov. 10, 2007
CALIFORNIA, Pa. - Shippensburg University football senior Jamie
Reder (Warrenton, Va./Fauquier) kicked three field goals as the Red Raiders concluded its 2007
season with a 30-9 loss at No. 6-ranked California (Pa.) on Saturday at Adamson
Stadium.
The last time Shippensburg (3-8, 2-4 PSAC West) finished the season 3-8 was
in 1996. Meanwhile, the victory gives the Vulcans (11-0, 6-0 PSAC West) its
third consecutive PSAC Western Division championship as well as the school's
third
undefeated regular season.
Reder concluded his career having made 44 field goals,
one short of the record held by Howie Guarini. He finishes his career with
244 points, surpassing Guarini's total of
230 for
the
most points by a kicker in school history. Reder finishes his career
second in school history for total points behind current Green Bay Packer
John Kuhn '04, who amassed 322 points in his career.
Despite
a roster that has been felled by injuries, the Red Raiders remained within
two possessions of one of the best teams in Division II until the
final moments of the game.
Against the Vulcans, Shippensburg was without the services
of its two leading rushers, senior Aaron Dykes (West Chester/Downingtown) and
red-shirt junior David Richards (Clearfield/Clearfield), as
well as its second-leading tackler, red-shirt senior Jaron Nalewak
(Chambersburg/Chambersburg).
Sophomore Chris Lynch (Bushkill/East Stroudsburg) emerged
and delivered a season-high 22 carries after totaling just two carries for
four yards in the last four
games.
Lynch ran for 71 yards against the nation's No. 1-ranked rushing defense, a unit that entered the contest allowing just 49.4 yards per game. It is the second largest single-game total for a running back against the Vulcan defense this season, as Lynch and Slippery Rock's Corey Manfull are the only backs to record more than 65 yards this season against California (Pa.).
Dykes, who missed just his second game in three seasons,
finished his career with 1,790 yards rushing, which places him eighth in
school history. He also concluded his career with 19 rushing touchdowns,
including 11 this season.
Shippensburg's versatile backfield was also benefited
by a strong performance from another senior. Dave Wilkerson (Downingtown/Downingtown) finished
the contest by leading the Red Raiders with a seven receptions for 66 yards.
Red-shirt senior Gabe Maiocco (Media/Marple-Newtown) finished
the game with 15 completions for 165 yards.
Overall, the offense totaled 219 yards against the nation's No. 2 ranked
defense, who entered the contest holding opponents to just 185.6 yards per
game. Reder's
three field goals came against a team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation
in scoring defense and who had allowed just four field goals all season as
well as just 10 touchdowns.
Additionally, the offensive line allowed just two sacks against
California on Saturday despite the Vulcans entering the contest ranked
No. 4 in the nation in sacks, having totaled 38 in its previous 10 games.
A rough opening quarter ultimately doomed Shippensburg on Saturday. After
spotting the Vulcans a 14-0 lead by surrendering two touchdowns and 161
yards on Calfornia's
two opening drives, the Red Raider defense rebounded to allow just 173
yards and 16 points over the final 52 minutes of the game.
For the season, Shippensburg was outscored
80-50 in first quarter and 165-116 in first half, compared
to 152-114
in the second half (including a 63-40 margin in the third quarter). The
Red Raiders were also just 2-of-14 on third-down conversions, while committing
two turnovers that led to 10 California points.
Defensively, red-shirt sophomore Andy Casale (Mechanicsburg/Cumberland
Valley) contributed one of the strongest games of his young career,
recording a career and team-high 14 tackles, including three for loss.
Seniors Jonathan Aldridge (Pittsburgh/Seneca Valley) and
Dee Wolford (Munhall/Steel Valley) also played in their final
collegiate
games and totaled six
tackles and one pass breakup each. Wolford also had a tackle for a loss.
Shippensburg opens the 2008 season at home against Shepherd in the 11th
annual Great Valley Classic on August 30.
- Red Raider Football -
