Game Notes vs. Kutztown

PSAC Week 7 Preview

2008 Media Guide

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Shippensburg University football hits the road for a crucial two-game trip beginning Saturday when the team faces PSAC Eastern Division opponent Kutztown. Kickoff from University Field is set for 1:05 p.m. The Red Raiders have won eight of the last nine meetings over the Golden Bears and are looking for revenge after a 28-16 loss at University Field last season.

The game is being broadcast live on Shippensburg University student radio station, WSYC 88.7 FM and on the internet at wsyc.org. The Shippensburg University Television (SUTV) crew will filming game highlights to air on campus channel 75.

GAME INFORMATION

The Red Raiders are looking to improve to 3-1 in the PSAC Eastern Division and continue to vie for a spot in the postseason. Shippensburg is on a two-game winning streak and has won three of its last four games while scoring 27 points in each game.

Last weekend, red-shirt senior safety Jason Stone led all players with 15 tackles (seven solo, eight assisted) and clinched a Red Raider victory with a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter as Shippensburg defeated visiting C.W. Post, 27-10. Stone later earned PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

Shippensburg recorded its longest play from scrimmage since Oct. 8, 1994 with an 81-yard touchdown from red-shirt junior Chad DiFebbo to red-shirt sophomore Chase DiFebbo. Stone's defensive touchdown was the first for Shippensburg since Oct. 8, 2005 when current Raider assistant coach Brandon Cook returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown against Lock Haven - a span of 33 games.

Kutztown was picked sixth in the preseason PSAC Eastern Division Coaches Poll, two spots behind Shippensburg. The team return 14 starters and lost just 13 total lettermen. Two former offensive studs, starting quarterback Kyle Spotts and All-American receiver Elfren Quiles, have completed their eligibility.

Last week, senior Maurice Adams ran for two touchdowns and Kutztown scored 24 unanswered points to defeat Cheyney 31-13 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest. Adams scored on runs of three and four yards, and his second score gave Kutztown a 17-13 lead with 4:17 left in the third quarter.

Joel Irwin scored on a 20-yard fumble return and Le'Anthony Fleming went in from a yard out for the 31-13 final. Matt Dineen  added a 29-yard field goal to clinch the 15th straight KU win over Cheyney.

Kutztown totaled 237 rushing yards. Adams finished with 66 yards on 19 carries, while Fleming had 59 yards on 11 rushes. KU's defense held Cheyney to just 69 rushing and 200 total yards. Irwin finished with seven tackles and a half sack, in addition the fumble return. Cheyney though held a 13-7 lead at halftime.

GARDEN SPOT REUNION

An intriguing storyline in place for this weekend's matchup is a reunion of two standout football players at Garden Spot High School in New Holland, located in eastern Lancaster County. Shippensburg red-shirt junior wide receiver Mike Harris will be on the opposite sideline of his former quarterback, Kutztown junior Shane Martin.

This season, Harris ranks second in the conference with 35 receptions behind Clarion's Jaques Robinson and just one yard behind West Chester's Mike Washington with 517 yards. He has also caught five touchdowns and is averaging 86.2 receiving yards per game.

Meanwhile, Martin ranks sixth in total offense among conference leaders havnig thrown for 1,008 passing yards and 234 rushing yards. He is averaging 168 passing yards per game and has thrown four touchdown passes this year.

The last time the two players were on the same team was in May of 2005, when the former Spartan teammates connected for a two-point conversion in the Tri-County All Star Game.