SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Shippensburg University football team, picked No. 5 in the preseason Eastern Division Coaches poll, won its first PSAC Championship in 28 years on Saturday afternoon at Seth Grove Stadium with a 42-35 victory over California (Pa.) in front of a capacity crowd.

Shippensburg (9-2) dominated the first half and established a 28-7 lead in the third quarter and totaled 489 yards on offense in the contest. Redshirt senior quarterback Chad DiFebbo was named the game's most valuable player after completing 18-of-24 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns.

"It's a tremendous day for our program," head coach Rocky Rees said after the game. "First of what it represents to our kids. No one believed in them, and they came through. I think they're going to look at this trophy and remember a lot of good memories from this year."

"To the university, I think it's special because it represents all of the things we stand for. In the student-athlete, they go to class, our graduation rate is No. 1 in the conference, and we have kids that go on to great jobs. But now, they have something they can look back on and tell their grandchildren. I couldn't be any happier for these kids. They really deserve it."   

Redshirt junior split end Chase DiFebbo was the recipient of six passes from his brother and finished the day with an SU season-high 168 receiving yards as well as a pair of touchdowns. Freshman tailback Mike Frenette finished with seven carries for 59 yards and a touchdown while hauling in three passes for 54 yards and another touchdown.

The Red Raiders scored 21 first-half points and racked up 266 yards on offense while the defense limited the Vulcans to just seven first-half points. After California opened the game with a seven-play drive for a touchdown, Shippensburg's defense held the visitors to just 88 yards over the rest of the opening half on 24 plays from scrimmage. 

The Vulcans had allowed just 10 sacks in 10 previous games this season but faced a relentless pass rush from Shippensburg. The Red Raiders totaled three sacks, including solo efforts from both junior Andy Horn and redshirt senior Tyton Brunner, while registering five quarterback hurries. 

"We're a blue-collar program and we play like blue collar people," Rees said after the game. "Even the years that we didn't have success, we played hard. We get a lot out of our kids because they are hard workers."

The Red Raider running attack was well-balanced and totaled 195 yards against a defensive unit that ranked second in the PSAC and No. 18 in Division II. In addition to Frenette's stellar work, redshirt junior halfback Kevin Marshall totaled 90 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries, while redshirt freshman fullback Kevin Herod averaged 4.5 yards per carry through 11 rushes. 

Six different receivers caught passes for Shippensburg. Redshirt senior Mike Harris was gridlocked on Saturday but still managed four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Mark Rossi also hauled in three passes for 34 yards.

Shippensburg also made the most of its scoring opportunities. The Red Raiders scored on all five of their trips into the red zone, and traveled at least 76 yards to paydirt on four of their six touchdown drives.

The top six teams from each of four regions will advance to the postseason for Division II football. In each region, the top two teams receive a bye on October 14. That same weekend, the No. 3 team hosts the No. 6 team while the No. 4 team hosts the No. 5 team. On October 21, the No. 1 seed will play the lowest remaining seed, while the No. 2 seed will play the highest remaining seed.

"What's particularly gratifying about this group is that its family," Rees said. "I think when you talk to our kids about what we're trying to preach, there's two words on the walls in our office that read 'Championship' and 'Family.' Those are two things that we wanted to have, and I think we have found that this year."

The regional rankings will be released at 3 p.m. on Sunday and will be broadcast on ESPNews. More details to follow this evening.

Notes: The teams combined for 77 points, the most in "State Game" history...Shippensburg last competed in the State Game in 1981, when it earned a 34-17 victory over Millersville at the Biemesderfer...SU is now 2-0-1 on the State Game after a 14-14 tie in 1976 against East Stroudsburg...California lost its first regular season road game since Sept. 6, 2008 at Bloomsburg, 24-17...the Vulcans entered the contest having won the last three meetings against Shippensburg dating back to 2005...the Red Raiders are now 5-0 at Seth Grove Stadium this season and have won six straight at home...Shippensburg extended its season-long streak of scoring at least 23 points in every game to 11 contests...Harris is now just one receiving touchdown short of tying the school record set by Jamie Ware...neither team committed a turnover in the contest.