The Shippensburg University football team battled Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division front-runners Kutztown to the brink in an overtime loss during a cold and rainy Saturday at Kutztown's Andre Reed Stadium, 9-6.
 
Shippensburg (1-6, 1-3 PSAC East) junior Jaxson Montross (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock Area) hit from 34 yards to tie the score in regulation and gave the Raiders a lead with a successful 22-yard try in overtime, only for Kutztown (5-2, 4-0) to take the low-scoring affair courtesy of touchdown run from quarterback Judd Novak.
 
Offense was at a premium for both sides in the poor playing conditions. Redshirt-sophomore Tanner Hess rushed for 66 of the Raiders' 164 total yards, while sophomore quarterback Evan A. Falco contributed 55 yards rushing and 33 yards passing after coming on mid-game.
 
The Golden Bears outgained the Raiders 264 yards to 164, but key interceptions from junior Javon M. Cruz and sophomore DJ Jackson helped keep the score even at the end of regulation, 3-3.
 
The Raiders received the ball to start the extra session, and a key 3rd and 12 reception by junior Redd Douglas put the Raiders on the doorstep of the endzone.
 
Falco then appeared to put the Raiders in front with a 15-yard TD run, but the play was called back due to a holding penalty, and the Raiders eventually settled for a Montross 22-yard field goal.
 
Novak, needing a score to keep the game alive, took off on a designed run and found space up the middle, converting a 25-yard game-winning touchdown scamper on the Golden Bears' first offensive snap in overtime.
 
Novak finished 8-of-20 on pass attempts for 89 yards and added 68 yards on the ground.
 
Redshirt-junior safety Isaiah Gilmore posted a career-high 11 tackles for the Raiders defensively. Cruz totaled a season-best nine tackles to go along with his first half interception, while redshirt-freshman Tyler Masdea added two tackles for loss.
 
The Raiders return home next week for a meeting against PSAC East opponent Millersville, kickoff is set for 1 p.m.