The Shippensburg University football team was dispatched by No. 21 Shepherd on Saturday, dropping a 59-27 decision in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division game at Ram Stadium.
 
Shippensburg (4-1, 1-1 PSAC East) took a 7-0 lead just 15 seconds into the game when junior Dante Witcher returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Witcher's kickoff return touchdown is SU's first since Andrew Smith in 2014 and its longest since NFL standout Brent Grimes had a 99-yard return for a score at Shepherd in 2005. It is the first time that SU has taken the opening kickoff back for a touchdown since Jeff Fertig (91 yards) at LIU Post on Oct. 3, 2009.
 
Shepherd (4-1, 1-1) responded with touchdowns on five of its first six drives of the game to lead 35-7 late in the opening half. The Rams then totaled 269 rushing yards in the second half to further cinch the victory.
 
Redshirt-junior quarterback Brycen Mussina finished the day 25-of-42 for 283 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also had 32 net rushing yards despite being sacked five times on the day. Freshman Ian Sheehan led SU with five receptions and 84 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown catch just 12 seconds before halftime.
 
In the second half, redshirt-sophomore Xavier Roman hauled in a 16-yard touchdown and freshman Jake DeLuccia had a 2-yard touchdown catch with 2:12 left that capped the scoring.
 
Junior Demetrius Hudson and redshirt-freshman Khi'on Smith were each credited with a team-high five solo tackles.
 
For the hosts, Tyson Bagent threw for 336 yards and five touchdowns. Four different players caught touchdown passes, with Ryan Beach hauling in two and totaling 82 receiving yards. Former Raider Josh Gontarek had four catches for 51 yards, while former Lock Haven tailback Chantz Swartz ran for two scores. Ronnie Brown had 232 combined yards and two touchdowns.
 
Shippensburg returns to action at 1 p.m. Saturday when it hosts West Chester at Seth Grove Stadium.