SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University football team could not overcome five turnovers and a strong offensive attack from the opposition on Saturday, as the Red Raiders dropped a 57-14 decision to visiting California (Pa.) in a conference crossover matchup from SU Student Association Field at Seth Grove Stadium.
 
Shippensburg (2-1) fell behind 6-0 after the opening possession and trailed 20-0 after the opening quarter. SU was intercepted five times and yielded 518 yards of offense to the Vulcans, with the only two Red Raider scores coming in the third quarter. The visitors scored 28 points off SU turnovers in the contest.
 
California (1-2) got its third consecutive 300-yard passing game from freshman quarterback Noah Mitchell and made the most of several big plays – including a 71-yard interception return and a 71-yard touchdown reception in the opening quarter. Tailback Nelson Brown also ran for 132 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.
 
Redshirt-junior wide receiver Josh Gontarek was the standout performer for the Red Raiders on offense – he finished the day with eight receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. Gontarek now has a receiving touchdown in all three games this season.
 
Redshirt-junior tight end Shea O'Donnell had back-to-back receptions of 48 and 27 yards on a third-quarter drive, the second of which resulted in the final SU touchdown of the day. O'Donnell had three receptions for 70 yards and the score.
 
Redshirt-freshman quarterback Brycen Mussina was 19-of-34 for 218 yards, throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions. Senior Chase Yocum also saw time under center, throwing for 11 yards and one interception to go along with eight rushing yards.
 
Of the SU running backs. redshirt-sophomore Raleigh Sirb averaged 4.0 yards per carry on 14 totes. He finished with 56 of SU's 92 rushing yards on the day.
 
Defensively, redshirt-junior linebacker Tig Spinelli had a team-high nine tackles, while redshirt-senior linebacker Steven Cain added seven tackles. Redshirt-junior John Chaney III had six tackles and intercepted a pass for the second consecutive week.
 
California finished the day 13-of-17 on third down and scored on 6-of-7 red-zone trips. The Vulcans scored touchdowns on 5-of-6 first-half drives, with the only non-touchdown drive stymied by the halftime horn.
 
UP NEXT: Saturday, 6 p.m. at Bloomsburg.