Box Score
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Shippensburg University football team recorded its first shutout since Sept. 9, 2006, a span of 22 games, as the Red Raiders dominated Lock Haven with a 36-0 victory over the Bald Eagles on Saturday night at Hubert Jack Stadium.
Shippensburg (1-2) held Lock Haven to just 83 total yards of offense on 55 plays. Meanwhile, the team totaled 475 yards of offense, including 338 on the ground, and has now totaled 1,224 offensive yards in the last two meetings between the teams.
Three different Red Raider running backs scored touchdowns, and the rushing attack was led by red-shirt sophomore Chris Infante, who totaled 98 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Red-shirt freshman Roshaan McCain totaled 64 yards and one touchdown, while red-shirt senior fullback Brad Catherman totaled 34 yards and one score.
Infante opened the scoring by capping off a 5-play, 45-yard drive with a one-yard plunge to give the Red Raiders a 7-0 lead. He extended the lead by getting a majority of the touches on a 9-play, 46-yard drive that ended with a five-yard Infante touchdown run to give Shippensburg a 13-point lead.
With just eight seconds remaining in the first half, red-shirt junior quarterback Chad DiFebbo capitalized on a Bald Eagle turnover by tossing a 24-yard touchdown pass to red-shirt junior split end Mike Harris that gave Shippensburg a 19-0 halftime lead. Harris finished with 61 receiving yards on four catches. DiFebbo finished 10 of 23 for 137 yards and one touchdown while earning his first career victory as starting quarterback.
The Red Raider defense was on point all evening as they limited Lock Haven to an average of 1.5 yards per play. Shippensburg finished with four sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception. Recording sacks for the Red Raiders were sophomore Riley Bowen, red-shirt junior Josh Simmons and red-shirt freshman Andy Horn. Freshman Tyton Brunner combined with Horn for another sack.
Sophomore Nick Melusky intercepted a Jarryd Burkett pass attempt and returned it 24 yards late in the third quarter. It is the team's second interception this season after recording just five in 11 games last season.
Overall, red-shirt senior Jason Stone finished the game with a team high 9.5 tackles including two tackles for loss. Red-shirt junior Andy Casale finished with 4.5 tackles while Bowen finished with four and two tackles for loss.
Shippensburg will open conference play next week with a 4 p.m. matchup at East Stroudsburg (3-0). The game will be broadcast on the PA SportsFEVER network.
POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE EXCERPTS
Clipped by WSYC Sports Director Dan DiVeglio:
Coach Rees on Gameplan
Coach Rees on Shutout
Coach Rees on First Win
Coach Rees on Kevin Marshall
