SHIPPENSBURG - Seeking its first win of the 2010 season, the Shippensburg University football team continues its PSAC crossover schedule with a 6 p.m. road game against the Golden Eagles of Clarion University. The showdown from Memorial Stadium marks the first meeting between the two teams since 2007.

The game will be broadcast live on Shippensburg University's student radio station, WSYC 88.7 FM and on the internet here (radio pre-game starts at 5:50 p.m.). Before the game, Clarion is celebrating its 30th anniversary of its 1980 PSAC Championship squad.

Game Storyline

The Red Raiders and Golden Eagles are two squads that entered the 2010 season with high expectations. SU is the defending PSAC champion and was ranked No. 4 in the PSAC Eastern Division preseason coaches poll while Clarion was voted No. 3 in the PSAC Western Division preseason coaches poll after finishing one win short of appearing in the PSAC State Game last season.

If current statistical rankings hold any weight in terms of prognostication, then all signs point to a rushing showcase on Saturday from both teams. Clarion brings Alfonso Hoggard to the table, while Shippensburg boasts the mighty triumvirate of Kevin Herod, Mike Frenette and Kevin Marshall.

Additionally, the two teams are currently at the bottom of the PSAC in rushing defense (SU - 216.5 yards per game, CU - 246.0 yards per game). Both teams will be looking to get their run defenses back on track this weekend but will have to do so against potent rushing attacks.

Last Saturday, Shippensburg raced out to a 19-0 halftime advantage from SU Student Association Field at Seth Grove Stadium but could not sustain its momentum in the second half as the visiting Gannon Golden Knights came from behind with 22 unanswered points to record a three-point victory.

The defeat marked the largest comeback against Shippensburg in a Red Raider loss in more than 13 years. On Oct. 7, 2000, the Red Raiders held a 21-3 lead over Slippery Rock with 5:04 left in the third quarter but The Rock scored 25 unanswered points in a 28-21 victory.

Shippensburg's streak of consecutive games with 21 or more points was snapped at 13. The streak dated back to the opening game of the 2009 season. However, the Red Raiders have had at least one passing touchdown in 16 straight games and a rushing touchdown in 13 straight games.

Since moving to the PSAC Eastern Division at the start of the 2008 season, SU has posted a 4-4 record in games against PSAC Western Division opponents. Meanwhile, Clarion is 3-4 against the PSAC Eastern Division during that same span. Shippensburg was a regular member of the PSAC West from 1950-2007.

The opening score of last Saturday's game was a 44-yard touchdown pass to senior tailback Kevin Marshall. He finished the game with 166 all-purpose yards (60 rushing, 44 receiving, 62 returning) to move into ninth place on SU's all-time list (3,209). He leapfrogged Howard Chavous '07 and Patrick Ferguson '06 and needs 34 all-purpose yards to surpass Frank Van Buren '87 on the list.

Defensively, sophomore linebacker Cody Fleming led Shippensburg on Saturday with eight total tackles. Senior co-captain Riley Bowen had two sacks for a combined loss of 25 yards and finished with six total tackles. SU totaled four sacks and 13 tackles for loss against the Golden Knights in addition to registering six quarterback hurries.

As a result of this success, Shippensburg leads the PSAC and ranks eighth in Division II by averaging 10.5 tackles for loss per game through two contests. Bowen is tied for seventh in Division II by averaging 1.5 sacks per game.

Full game notes can be accessed above.