Football | 10/5/2016 10:10:00 PM

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The Shippensburg University football team hits the road Saturday to renew acquaintances with vaunted rival West Chester in a PSAC Eastern Division showdown at Farrell Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m. from Farrell Stadium. 

About the Teams
• The Red Raiders were picked second in the PSAC Eastern Division preseason poll and return 16 starters from last year's team, including the entire offensive line and the entire secondary.
• The Golden Rams were picked first in the PSAC Eastern Division preseason poll and returned 14 starters, seven each on offense and defense. Five all-conference defenders are among the returning starters.

Series History
• West Chester holds a 23-11-1 lead in the series history between the two teams.
• The Golden Rams have won nine of the last 12 meetings dating back to 2004.
• Shippensburg's victory last year featured the Red Raiders limiting West Chester to just 11 points -- the fewest scored by the Golden Rams in the series since 1931.
• In other recent meetings, the teams ruined the other's Homecomings in successive years. In 2013, West Chester handed SU a 32-29 loss, while in 2012, Shippensburg overcame an early 21-0 deficit to defeat the Golden Rams, 42-24.
• SU won the inaugural meeting, 63-7, back in 1921. That score is 15 points more than SU has ever scored in the 33 other meetings with the Golden Rams.

Last Week
• Shippensburg forced a season-high six turnovers and rushed for 257 yards — scoring four times on the ground — as the Red Raiders erased a halftime deficit to defeat Lock Haven, 38-16, at Hubert Jack Stadium. SU scored 28 unanswered points and held its opponent scoreless in the second half for the third consecutive week. Senior Justin Pyle led the team in rushing with 84 yards and also in receptions with four for 44 yards, while junior Cole Chiappialle ran for 31 yards and two touchdowns.
• West Chester lost to Kutztown for the first time since 2011, falling 20-14 at the Golden Bears on Saturday night. Junior quarterback Andrew Derr was 21-of-32 for 248 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He was sacked on the game's final play with the Golden Rams at the KU 24-yard line. Junior running back Jarel Elder managed to put up 132 all-purpose yards with 108 yards on the ground, six receiving, and another 18 in kickoff returns.

Family Ties
• The West Chester vs. Shippensburg matchup has featured several family "rivalries" over the past few years.
• WCU senior wide receiver Shannon Mayer is the brother of former SU wide receiver, All-American Sheldon Mayer.
• WCU junior wide receiver Tyler Karpinski is the younger brother of former Red Raider safety Kyle Karpinski.
• Several influential SU coaches and administrators have strong affiliations with both schools. Longtime SHIP athletic director Dr. James Pribula (1982-2001) is a 1962 WCU graduate and Associated Press (AP) First Team Little All-America football player who had the distinction of leading all PA collegians in scoring in 1961.
• Rocky Rees, SU's all-time football coaching wins leader, is a member of the WCU Football Hall of Fame, having led the Golden Rams in both rushing yards and touchdowns as a junior and senior. He ran for 1,065 yards in 1970. For his career, he totaled 2,240 yards and 28 touchdowns in four seasons while earning Associated Press (AP) Little All-America Second Team honors.