Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Shippensburg University football team forced five turnovers and limited Edinboro quarterback Trevor Harris to his lowest passing total since the start of the 2007 season, but the Red Raiders could not overcome the elements or the Fighting Scots in a 34-11 loss on Saturday afternoon at Seth Grove Stadium.

The weather was an unavoidable coincidence that marred a spotlight matchup between two perennially strong teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) that was broadcast throughout the state. The crossover contest was played in horrid elements and featured a combined 15 fumbles due to the heavy rains and dreary field conditions.

Shippensburg (0-2) opened the scoring on its second drive of the game. Junior kicker Kyler Ford capped off a 10-play, 61-yard drive by converting a 27-yard field goal to become the first kicker other than Jamie Reder '08 to make a field goal for Shippensburg since Craig Lough during the 2002 season, a span of 58 games.

Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, that drive would end up being its longest of the game in both plays and yards gained. Of Shippensburg's 19 remaining drives, just three lasted five plays or more.

Edinboro (2-0) responded in large part to the leadership of Harris, a junior signal caller who accounted for all four of the team's offensive touchdowns. His 33-yard scamper in the first quarter on a third-and-inches sneak play gave the Fighting Scots a lead they would not relinquish for the duration of the game.

By halftime, Edinboro had raced out to a 21-3 lead following touchdown receptions from tight end Denayne Dixon and wide receiver Rich Cerro. A nine-play, 80-yard drive near the end of the third quarter ended in a touchdown to Jeremy Burr that made the contest a three-possession game.

The Fighting Scots were able to solidify their lead by controlling the clock in the second half. Edinboro maintained possession for 22:15 over the final two quarters while the Red Raiders only mustered 74 yards in the second half.

The main chunk of that yardage came on Shippensburg's lone touchdown of the game, a six-play, 44-yard drive that was capped off with an 18-yard reception by red-shirt sophomore Chase DiFebbo. It was the second consecutive week in which red-shirt junior quarterback Chad DiFebbo found his brother in the end zone.

Despite the conditions, Ford once again displayed an excellent defensive boot, as he was forced to make nine punts while averaging 41.4 yards per kick. His longest of the day was a 68-yarder from the back of his end zone, a feat that is just two yards short of his career-long punt of 70 yards set last year at Liberty. The junior punter has averaged 42.1 yards through a conference-leading 19 punts this season.

Defensively. red-shirt senior linebacker Josh Oswalt continued his strong play with a game-high 10 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Through two games this season, Oswalt is tied atop the conference with two sacks while ranking third in the conference with 22 total tackles.

In his second start at quarterback, DiFebbo finished 10-of-26 for 114 yards to go along with the touchdown. Red-shirt freshman Dave Chervansky earned his first action of the season and completed 2-of-3 pass attempts for 22 yards.

On the ground, red-shirt sophomore fullback Chris Infante ran for 78 yards on 12 carries.  Senior Brad Catherman totaled 26 yards on three carries.

Harris threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns while completing 20-of-36 passes for Edinboro. Junior tailback Houston Brown carried the ball 24 times for 123 yards.

Shippensburg will open its road schedule next Saturday when it visits Lock Haven. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on WSYC-FM 88.7 and on the internet at shipraiders.com.