Box Score

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - The Shippensburg University football team held a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon from Hickox Field but fell victim to a Pioneer offensive attack that scored 19 unanswered points as the Red Raiders dropped a 40-24 decision to C.W. Post.

Shippensburg (4-2, 2-1 PSAC East) and the Pioneers engaged in a back-and-forth slugfest through three quarters, exchanging the lead twice and playing within one possession until the final five minutes. Senior Kyler Ford kicked a 30-yard field goal with 12:44 to play, but the Pioneers immediately answered.

Fifty-six seconds later, freshman tailback Thomas Beverly broke a 43-yard run that gave the Pioneers a 28-24 lead. Rain showers that had begun in the third quarter evolved into a veritable monsoon in the fourth quarter, as playing conditions rapidly deteriorated for the remainder of the contest.

The Red Raiders opened the contest with a boatload of momentum, as junior Jeff Fertig returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown to give Shippensburg a 7-0 lead. At the end of the first quarter, SU held a 14-7 lead after senior tight end Mark Rossi capped off a 10-play, 77-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown reception.

In the first half, the Red Raiders had several red zone opportunites but could not convert. The offense's opening drive stalled at the Pioneer 26-yard line, while Ford attempted a 33-yard field goal that was blocked in the second quarter.

C.W. Post (2-4, 2-1 PSAC East) took a 21-14 lead in the third quarter on a 52-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eric Anderwkavich to senior Chris Harris. The Pioneers had four scoring plays of 30 yards or longer while Anderwkavich threw for 219 yards, ran for 62 yards and contributed to thre touchdowns.

Senior Mike Harris helped the Red Raiders tie the score at 21-21. He hauled in three receptions on the drive for a total of 66 yards, capping off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown reception. Harris totaled seven receptions for 112 yards, passing Jeff Zubia '83 to rank second on SU's all-time career receptions list.

Redshirt freshman Kevin Herod ran strong once again, totaling 18 carries for 84 yards. Overall, the Red Raiders totaled 158 yards on 37 rushing attempts. Through the air, senior quarterback Chad DiFebbo completed 14 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.

From a special teams standpoint, Ford finished the day with six punts and averaged an impressive 52.2 yards per punt. In the third quarter, Ford unleashed a career-long boot of 74 yards that ranks as the third longest punt in Shippensburg University history.

The Red Raider football team returns home next weekend for a 1 p.m. match from Seth Grove Stadium against PSAC Eastern Division opponent Kutztown.