The Shippensburg University football team struggled offensively against one of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's (PSAC) top defenses in a 41-17 loss to the East Stroudsburg Warriors in PSAC Eastern Division contest Saturday at ESU's Eiler-Martin Stadium.
 
The Raiders (2-7, 2-4 PSAC East) battled the Warriors (8-1, 5-1) to just a 14-10 deficit at halftime, but the SU offense totaled just 169 yards and surrendered a season-high 8 sacks to East Stroudsburg, who is currently second in the conference in fewest points allowed (17.9) and yardage allowed (259.6) per contest.
 
For Shippensburg, freshman wide receiver Karim Brice registered his first collegiate touchdown reception, catching a 37-yard pass from sophomore Evan A. Falco with 40 seconds remaining in the first half.
 
Later, true freshman Jack Reed, the fourth quarterback used by the Raiders Saturday and fifth overall this season, made his collegiate debut in the fourth quarter and completed his first career touchdown pass, an 8-yard strike to redshirt-sophomore Alex Rufe late in the contest.
 
The SU defense kept the game close by intercepting the Warriors twice in the endzone. Sophomore DJ Jackson recorded his third pick of the season to keep the Warriors off the board early in the first quarter.
 
But on the very next play, ESU's Jehmere Crumpton picked off a Raider pass and returned it 25-yards for the opening score.
 
Shippensburg turned terrific field position – starting a drive at the ESU 35-yard line – into a 32-yard field goal from junior Jaxson Montross late in the first quarter to make it a 7-3 game. Montross is eight for his last nine in field goal attempts.
 
Redshirt-senior Nasir Greer hauled in an ESU deep ball attempt in the endzone to keep it at a 21-10 score midway through the third quarter.
 
East Stroudsburg totaled 310 yards of offense, outscoring the Raiders 27-7 in the second half. The ESU running back tandem of Tahir Mills (76 yards, 1 TD) and Tyriq Lewis (51 yards, 1 TD) combined for 127 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
 
Crumpton finished with a pair of interceptions for the ESU defense.
 
The SU defense was led by graduate linebacker Evan Townsend-Henry, who totaled a season-best 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss. Redshirt-junior Ray Jones (Wilmington, Del./Saint Elizabeth) added nine stops, while senior Jacoby Sherard and redshirt-freshman Tyler Masdea both recorded sacks.
 
Next Saturday, the Raiders welcome Lock Haven for Shippensburg University's Homecoming Game. Kickoff from Seth Grove Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
 

FOOTBALL: KARIM BRICE! The freshman wideout hauls in his first career TD pass to cut into the Raider deficit just before halftime. ESU 14, SHIP 10 2ND. pic.twitter.com/GQ8kVcwexf

— SHIP Sports Info (@ShipURaiders) October 28, 2023

 

FOOTBALL: It was a day of firsts for the Raiders. In addition to Karim Brice's first TD reception, true freshman Jack Reed tossed his first career TD pass! pic.twitter.com/BDzHDEbSBy

— SHIP Sports Info (@ShipURaiders) October 28, 2023