Editor's Note: The Slate sends its deepest condolences to Head Coach mark "Mac" Maciejewski, his family and the entire SU athletics community for the loss of Levi Maciejewski earlier this month. Bill Morgan, Su Sports Information Director, said the university and athletics department will be supporting the Maciejewski family in this difficult time.
Shippensburg University’s football team is set for a transition year, with a roster full of changes looking to build on a 2023 season that saw the Raiders finish 3-8 overall and 2-5 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East play.
The team sees plenty of new faces, with 44 of the team’s 95 players in fall camp being new to the team, including 43 freshmen. Offensive coordinator KiJuan Ware said, “The upperclassmen are helping the younger guys, while the younger guys are grabbing in and embracing our culture.”
Both Ware and defensive coordinator Mike Burket mentioned the youth of the roster as a possible weakness. Ware said strengths of the team are its togetherness and the growth in the locker room. Burket said, “The effort and attention to detail that these guys are putting into it would be the strength.”
Sophomore wide receiver Jaimen Bryant prepares to make a catch in practice on August 19.
The youth of the roster came after the team saw lots of players depart after the 2023 season. According to Bill Morgal, Sports Information Director of Shippensburg University, numerous players who departed the team received their undergraduate degrees from Shippensburg University and had one year of eligibility remaining due to COVID-19.
For the upcoming season, the main competition on offense is for the starting quarterback position, as both redshirt junior Joey McCracken and sophomore Sam Stoner return after making multiple starts last year. Speaking on the battle, Ware said, “Everyone is preparing as if they want to be the starter.”
Other starters from 2023 returning at skill positions include redshirt junior running back Tanner Hess and sophomore wide receiver Jaimen Bryant. Hess the Raiders in rushing last season at 683 yards, and Bryant was second on the team with 25 catches and 386 receiving yards.
The Raiders’ defense has been the strength of the team for years. It ranked at the top of the PSAC last season, allowing the fewest yards per game of any team. The group has higher goals this season, as Burket said, “We want to be the top team in the nation in the red zone, the top team in the nation in third-and-fourth down conversions, and we want to create turnovers.”
Returnees looking to lead the defense this year include linebacker Javon Cruz, who was second on the team last season with 58 tackles. Junior cornerback DJ Jackson also returns for 2024, coming off a season where he led the Raiders with four interceptions.
The 2024 PSAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll ranked SU seventh in the PSAC East.
The Raiders kick off their season at American International on Sept. 7, before returning for the home opener against Clarion on Sept. 14 against Clarion, the first of three straight home games. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Seth Grove Stadium. Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 19 against Kutztown.
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