Zach Zulli to Trevor Harman was the call for Saturday’s PSAC matchup against East Stroudsburg University. The Shippensburg University football team finally found a way to win.
On a rainy Saturday afternoon, SU defeated the Warriors 41–31, capturing its first victory of the 2013 season.
The Raiders scored early and often, starting with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Zulli to junior wide receiver Sheldon Mayer. Unfortunately, ESU blocked the extra point.
Mayer created separation from the ESU defender, lept up and hauled in a well-placed pass from Zulli, sending the Raiders up 6–0.
The Warriors answered with a 25-yard field goal, but SU topped ESU with a five-yard pass from Zulli to Harman, putting the Raiders ahead 13–3.
Harman finished the game with three touchdown catches and 151 receiving yards. Harman was named the PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Week on Sunday afternoon.
Zulli also produced great numbers for the Raiders. Zulli completed 20 of his 36 passing attempts, recording 273 passing yards and four passing touchdowns.
ESU battled back to score two consecutive touchdowns, both within two minutes of each other, taking a commanding 17–13 lead.
SU added a key touchdown just 10 seconds before halftime. Zulli found Harman again in the back of the end zone, Harman made a great catch, fully extending his arms and keeping both feet in bounds, sending SU up 20-17.
Zulli and Harman connected one final time for an 81-yard touchdown pass, taking the Raiders lead to 27–17.
The Warriors did add a touchdown after an eight play, 85-yard drive, cutting SU’s lead to 27-24.
The biggest play of the game came when junior Shannon Maura returned a kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown, giving the Raiders a 10-point lead.
Maura set an SU record for kickoff return yards. Maura totaled 240 return yards, including his 96- yard touchdown return, breaking Mike Erlandson’s record of 158 kickoff return yards during a game against Bloomsburg on Oct. 25, 1997.
Both ESU and SU added touchdowns late in the fourth quarter. Raider Chris Lawshe finished the scoring with a 67-yard touchdown run, solidifying the Raiders’ victory.
SU is scheduled to face Millersville University next week. Despite the Marauders’ struggling start, they are still a competitive team.
MU running back Ian Sadon is also a key player for the Marauders. Sadon averaged 62 yards and 3.9 yards per carry.
SU travels to Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium on the campus of Millersville for its second PSAC East match up — kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
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