SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University football team rolled up 541 yards of offense and forced five turnovers Saturday as it returned to the win column with a 65-32 victory over Lock Haven in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division affair from Student Association Field at Seth Grove Stadium.
 
Shippensburg (3-6, 3-3 PSAC East) and Lock Haven (1-8, 0-6) were within three points of each other, 23-20, with 3:09 remaining in the first half ,before the Red Raiders scored three touchdowns before the intermission to take control and establish a 44-20 halftime lead.
 
The two teams combined for 958 yards of total offense. Shippensburg had a 300-yard passer, two 100-yard receivers and a 100-yard rusher. Lock Haven, the conference's top rushing offense, finished with a 200-yard rusher and scored four times on the ground.
 
The Red Raiders made key inroads on third down, finishing the contest 9-of-14, and totaled 28 points off Lock Haven turnovers. An interception by redshirt-sophomore Trey Paul and a forced fumble on a kickoff by redshirt-freshman Isaiah Johnson were the key turnovers during SU's 21-point swing, while redshirt-senior Dennis Robinson had a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
 
Even more intriguing was that Shippensburg recorded its second defensive point-after-touchdown (PAT) of the season, scoring two points after a blocked extra point was returned the distance by redshirt-senior Deionte Wilson. The defensive PAT was the result of a blocked kick by Tim Bradley.
 
Redshirt-sophomore Brycen Mussina went 29-of-40 for 350 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. It is his seventh career 300-yard passing game, and his sixth career game throwing four or more touchdowns.
 
For the third time in four weeks, redshirt-sophomore David Balint III re-wrote the school record books for production by a tight end. He once again enhanced his records of single-game outputs by a tight end with career highs of 13 receptions and 168 receiving yards. Balint III caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Mussina in the first quarter that opened the scoring.
 
Redshirt-junior wide receiver Winston Eubanks was also quite active, catching 10 passes for 129 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Eubanks became the first Red Raider with three touchdown catches in a game since Josh Gontarek achieved the feat at Lock Haven last season. Eubanks posted 10 or more receptions in a game for the third time in his career and also recorded his 14th career 100-yard receiving game.
 
On the ground, graduate Luke Durkin finished with 21 carries, 105 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt-sophomore Jaelen Thompson added 43 yards on five carries.
 
Redshirt-sophomore Sean Judge had 30 receiving yards, 26 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, while redshirt-senior wide receiver Kyle Haines took a direct snap four yards for a touchdown on his first career rush.
 
Sophomore David Shank converted all nine PATs and averaged 38.5 yards on two punts.
 
Paul led the defense with nine tackles in addition to his interception. Redshirt-freshman Jared M. Smith had a career-high seven tackles and one of Shippensburg's four tackles-for-loss (TFLs).
 
Redshirt-freshman Tyler Petucci had six tackles, including 1.5 TFLs, and was integral with Johnson on the forced fumble in the second quarter. Redshirt-freshman Tyler Simon added six tackles.
 
For Robinson, the pick-six marked his second career interception; he also had three solo tackles. Redshirt-freshman Roland Norfleet had a fumble recovery on Petucci's hit during a kickoff return.
 
Along the defensive line, redshirt-sophomore Cameron Tinner had a career-high five tackles – including both of SU's sacks on the day (which resulted in a loss of 28 yards). Freshman Jacoby Sherard had two forced fumbles, recovering one on the opening play from scrimmage.
 
Shippensburg travels to East Stroudsburg next Saturday for a 6:05 kickoff at Eiler-Martin Stadium.