And just like that the Shippensburg University football team’s season ended with a demoralizing 37-14 defeat at the hands of Winston-Salem State University on Saturday afternoon in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs.

Coming off a 58-20 drubbing of Bloomsburg University, the Raiders were poised to show WSSU how fast their blitzkrieg offense could go ¬— too bad WSSU was up to the challenge.

SU looked overmatched throughout the game and WSSU denied it of any momentum by a stout Rams’ defense. Quarterback Zach Zulli had his worst game of the season throwing for 218 yards with three interceptions and one touchdown while only completing less than 50 percent of his passes.

The Rams, undefeated going into Saturday’s contest, exhibited an offense that rivaled SU’s across the board. Their offense, led by quarterback Anthony Carrothers’ 332 yards and three touchdowns, caught fire early, building a 28-14 lead going into the half.

The Raiders kept it close in the first half when linebacker Brian Sourber returned a Carrother’s interception for a touchdown to notch the game at 7-6.

However, the Rams were just too much to handle.

Two touchdown passes by Carrothers in an eight minute span in the second quarter put the game out of reach and cemented WSSU’s advancement to the next round.

The Raiders let up 525 yards of total offense in the contest — the second-highest they have allowed this year and turned the ball over a season-high five times.

Jacob Baskerville and Jake Metz were the lone bright spot for the Raiders on Saturday. Baskerville caught nine passes for 114 yards while Metz led the team in tackles (8) and sacks (2.5).

The Rams will host PSAC Champion Indiana University of Pa. in the Super Region One championship game this Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium.

For more photos from the game click here

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