The Shippensburg University football team was unable to complete a second-half comeback on Saturday night as it dropped a 24-7 decision at East Stroudsburg in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
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Shippensburg (2-5, 2-2 PSAC East) trailed 17-0 at halftime but forced two turnovers in the opening three minutes of the second half that helped it get back in the game.
Eli Rodriguez strip-sacked Sean McTaggart in the end zone and fell on the loose ball for a touchdown that put the Raiders within 10 points at the 12:24 mark of the third quarter.
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Ultimately, SU was unable to overcome six sacks on offense and a couple of untimely penalties on defense that prolonged Warrior drives (ESU earned three first downs via penalties). Still trailing by 10 points late in the third quarter, the Raiders reached midfield but were stopped on fourth down.
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Linebacker
Nate Myers led all players with nine tackles and had one of Shippensburg's five tackles-for-loss (TFLs).
Luke Hines had a pair of TFLs while
Tyler Masdea had a TFL and a forced fumble.
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The first of SU's two turnovers in the third quarter came just 43 seconds in as a tipped pass ended up in the hands of
Connor Black for his first career interception.
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Offensively,
Riley Gunnels finished 19-of-30 for 118 yards; he was intercepted once.
Ethan Arneson ran for 40 yards;
Tobee Stokes had a team-high 67 all-purpose yards (20 receiving, 18 rushing, 29 on kick returns).
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Wilson Ingerski punted six times and averaged 36 yards per kick.
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East Stroudsburg (6-1, 4-0) averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 39 attempts – totaling 182 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. McTaggart was 10-of-20 for 136 yards with one touchdown and one interception through the air for the Warriors and also scrambled for 30 yards on the ground. The ESU defense had three additional TFLs to go along with their six sacks.
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Shippensburg hosts Lock Haven at 1 p.m. Saturday for Homecoming at Seth Grove Stadium.
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