WEST CHESTER, Pa. – A national television audience witnessed two prestigious PSAC institutions compete in a truly memorable showdown on Thursday evening from Farrell Stadium, as both Shippensburg and West Chester totaled 512 yards on offense in combining for 87 points.

Yet what was likely the longest game in Shippensburg University history ended in the most unfortunate of manners for the Red Raider faithful, as a blocked extra-point attempt in the second overtime gave West Chester a 44-43 victory in a contest that ended just before midnight.

Shippensburg (1-5, 0-3 PSAC East) had never played in a multiple-overtime game before Thursday night. Long before the game required extra sessions, the Red Raiders trailed by 10 points in the third quarter but used some big plays to eventually establish a lead in the fourth quarter.

A beautifully executed pass from sophomore quarterback Steven Adams found sophomore tailback Mike Frenette in stride, as the 64-yard strike brought Shippensburg within four points. After missing two games due to injury, Frenette's return to the lineup included a career-high 109 receiving yards on four catches out of the backfield.

The defense then produced its big play early in the fourth quarter when senior safety Jamahn McCollough stepped in front a pass for his fifth career interception, putting the ball in the hands of the Red Raiders at the WCU 41-yard line.

Sophomore fullback Pat Schuhl took over on the ensuing drive – running five times for 28 yards and scoring his first career rushing touchdown to put Shippensburg ahead by a 23-20 margin with 10:03 to go in the fourth quarter.

Less than two minutes later, the festival of lead changes continued when Golden Ram freshman quarterback Sean McCartney threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to LaRonn Lee to arm West Chester with a four-point lead. Making the first start of his career, McCartney finished with 444 passing yards and five touchdowns.

Undaunted, SU re-gained the lead just three plays later. On a third-down play, Adams found sophomore Bryan Barley for a quick pass up the middle and the race was on. Barley sprinted to paydirt for a 60-yard touchdown, the longest of his young career, to put SU ahead 30-27.

On the next drive, the defense recorded its second fourth-down stand of the game when freshman defensive end Dainen Green tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that fell incomplete.

West Chester (2-4, 2-1 PSAC East) got the ball one more time in regulation but was pinned at its own 14-yard line with just over two minutes remaining. However, the Golden Rams converted twice on fourth down to reach the SU 25-yard line and kick a 42-yard field goal that sent the game into overtime.

SU got the ball to start overtime and scored in six plays, reaching the end zone on a three-yard plunge by sophomore fullback Kevin Herod. The Golden Rams needed just one play to send the game into double overtime, and in that second frame, converted a third-and-goal from the SU 13-yard line to put the pressure back on the Red Raiders.

Marshall and Herod needed just four carries to score in overtime – with Herod's 1-yard plunge marking the final score of the game before the blocked extra point.

Adams completed 16-of-27 passes for a career-high 298 yards and two touchdowns. Marshall totaled 246 all-purpose yards, moving into third place all-time in school history (3,887) in passing Dave Brown '01, Mike Erlandson '99 and Jamie Ware '99.

Overall, SU ran for a season-high 214 rushing yards. Herod was the pacesetter with 72 yards and both overtime touchdowns. Additionally, the Red Raiders converted 10-of-17 third-down opportunities and ran the ball 56 times - the most in one game since October 2005.

The defense established the early tone on the game's opening drive, recording its first stop on fourth down this season when freshman Jake Metz knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage. Later in the first quarter, the Golden Rams took a 7-0 lead - capping off a 67-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass from McCartney to Tim Keyser. It was the first career touchdown for both gentlemen.

West Chester built a 13-0 lead before SU answered late in the first half, capping off a 51-yard drive with a 29-yard field goal by freshman Nate Schmidt. Marshall had a 14-yard reception and a 17-yard run during the drive.

Midway through the third quarter, SU cut its initial deficit to three points when a 6-play, 52-yard drive was capped off by a two-yard touchdown plunge for Marshall.

Following the touchdown, freshman Tyriq Kershaw forced a fumble on the ensuing return but the Golden Rams recovered the ball at the spot. Five plays later, McCartney found Keyser once again for a 63-yard touchdown pass, giving West Chester a 20-10 lead in the third quarter.

Shippensburg will begin a three-game homestand on Saturday, October 16 against Bloomsburg. Game time is set for 1 p.m. from SU Student Association Field at Seth Grove Stadium.

Notes: The Red Raiders scored their most points against West Chester since 2002, a span of eight meetings…West Chester leads the all-time series 22-9-1…SU has scored at least two touchdowns in 20 straight games and at least one rushing touchdown in nine consecutive games…it was the 38th straight game in which SU has completed a pass play of 25 or more yards and the 30th consecutive game in which SU had 25 or more rushing attempts…SU is now 5-3 in overtime under coach Rocky Rees.