Marauders and Red Raiders Clash in First Home Night Game Since 2007
9/22/2009 11:21:29 AM | Football
Complete Game Notes
Shippensburg (3-1, 1-0 PSAC East) vs. Millersville (1-3, 0-1 PSAC East)
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 – 7 p.m.
Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium, Millersville, Pa.
SERIES INFORMATION
Series vs. Shippensburg: 23-36-2
Series Streak: SU, 5
First Meeting: 1916 (SU 16, MU 0)
Last Meeting: 2008 (SU 35, MU 14)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Internet Broadcast: MSBN
Announcers: Domenic Panza and Matt Majewski
Live Stats
TICKET INFORMATION
Reserved Seat: $8
General Admission: $6
Senior Citizen: $3
Visiting Students with ID: $3
Children under 6: FREE
MU Students, Faculty and Staff: FREE with one guest with valid ID
ABOUT THE GAME
• The Millersville Marauders enter Saturday evening's PSAC Eastern Division contest against Shippensburg with hopes of ending a three-game skid that starting in week two. Last week, the Marauders' home opener was spoiled by West Chester which handed the Marauders a 63-10 defeat. It was the second time in as many seasons that the Marauders allowed 63 points at home. Millersville's task gets no easier against Shippensburg as the Red Raiders boast a 3-1 overall record and a three-game winning streak. The Red Raiders opened PSAC East play with a convincing 38-14 victory over previously unbeaten East Stroudsburg last week as well.
• Kickoff from Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m., and audio can be heard on the home of Millersville Athletics, the Marauder Sports Broadcasting Network (MSBN). MSBN is a webcast that is accessed at millersvilleathletics.com. Domenic Panza and Matt Majewski will call the action.
• Also during Saturday's game, coaches from Shippensburg and Millersville—and all across the country--will wear a “Coach to Cure MD” logo patch on the sidelines, and fans are encouraged to donate to research projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused entirely on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
• Saturday's game is Millersville's third night game of the season. The Marauders won at Assumption to start the season but fell to Slippery Rock 31-14 under the lights. It is the team's first home night game since Oct. 6, 2007. The first night game in Millersville history occurred on Sept. 14, 1985. Since then, the Marauders are an impressive 30-8 (.789) in home night games.
• While the Marauders lost the home opener, it is still 127-65-3 (.651) at home since Biemesderfer Stadium opened in 1970. The Marauders have won at least two games at home in all but six of the 39 seasons at Biemesderfer Stadium.
• The Marauders are looking for an offensive spark. Since scoring 31 in the season opener at Assumption, the Marauders have scored 14 points or fewer in each of the last three games and have averaged 9.0 points per game during that stretch. The running game has not been able to get untracked. Millersville racked up 147 yards against Assumption but has averaged just 56.7 yards per game since while allowing 239.3.
• Despite being outgained 1,402 to 742 in the three losses, Millersville has led in time of possession and has passed for nearly 185 yards per game.
• With a win Saturday, Millersville will avoid its fourth straight season with a four-game losing streak.
• Shippensburg is one of the surprise teams in the PSAC so far this season. The Red Raiders were picked to finish fifth in the PSAC Eastern Division Preseason Poll but have won three in a row since falling to Shepherd in the season opener. Shippensburg knocked off nationally ranked Edinboro in week two and handed East Stroudsburg its first loss of the season last week.
ABOUT THE SERIES
• Shippensburg has a 36-23-2 lead in a series that dates to 1916. The Red Raiders captured the first meeting 16-0 and won nine of the first 11 meetings with Millersville picking up a 27-0 win in 1923 and earning a 7-7 tie in 1921. From 1969-2000, the Marauders dominated the series, posting a 16-3-1 record over the Red Raiders. Millersville had won five in a row until Shippensburg snapped the streak with a 17-7 victory in 2001. Since, the Red Raiders have rattled off five wins in a row including two at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.
• Millersville is 7-6-1 at home against Shippensburg. The last time the clubs met at Millersville was Oct. 13, 2007, and Shippensburg won 23-14 behind 186 yards passing and 186 yards rushing. Last year, Shippensburg turned a close 21-14 halftime lead into a 35-14 victory with a 14 unanswered points in the third quarter.
• Millersville has failed to score more than 17 points in each of the last three games against Shippensburg and has cracked the 20-point mark just once in the last five meetings. Over that span, Shippensburg is averaging 29.4 points per game to Millersville's 15.8.
• Shippensburg head coach Rocky Rees is in his 20th season and is 6-6 all-time against Millersville. Other than the current five-game winning streak over the Marauders, his only win came in 1993 (16-14).
THE HEAD COACHES
• Millersville's Greg Colby is in his second season as head coach. Colby spent most of his career as an assistant at the Division I level. From 1979-86, he was the head coach at Schlarman High School and Naperville High School in Illinois. While at Schlarman, Colby led the team to back-to-back Illinois High School 2-A State Championships (1981-82).
• Colby has an impressive resume. He came to Millersville after serving as the defensive coordinator at Northwestern from 2002-07 during which time the Wildcats posted three-straight six-win seasons for the first time in 70 years. He was also the defensive coordinator at Kent State for four seasons and served as a defensive assistant at Michigan State under Nick Saban and at Illinois under Lou Tepper.
• Rocky Rees begins his 20th season at the helm of the Red Raider football program and currently ranks tenth among active Division II coaches with 145 career victories. With that total, Rees ranks seventh in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) for career coaching victories. Rees has a long and distinguished career in football that spans 37 years. The all-time leader for coaching victories in Red Raider football history, Rees has totaled a 19-year record of 109-101-1 (.519) at Shippensburg. Overall, he owns a career mark of 145-116-2 (.555). In 2006, he became the first coach in school history to win 100 games with a 28-21 victory at Slippery Rock.
• Rees ranks fourth in tenure among conference head coaches behind Denny Douds of East Stroudsburg (36th season), Danny Hale of Bloomsburg (22nd season) and Dr. George Mihalik of Slippery Rock (22nd season). Additionally, Rees ranks sixth in career games coached among his active Division II brethren.
SCOUTING THE RED RAIDERS
• Since the week one loss, Shippensburg has been one of the most dominant teams in the PSAC. It has outscored its opponents 111-35 and is averaging 37.0 points per game. Through four weeks, the Red Raiders boast the league's best offense, averaging 33.5 points per game. The Red Raiders have scored a league-best 18 touchdowns. Its rushing offense is ranked second, averaging 193.2 yards per game. 10 of the teams 18 scores have come on the ground.
• Shippensburg's offense has shown remarkable balance, rushing for 773 yards and passing for 772. The team's 386.2 yards per game of total offense is third best in the league as well. It is also ranked first in time of possession (34:06).
• Shippensburg ranks first in the PSAC in third down conversions. It has converted 29 of 58 attempts (50.0 percent). On the flip side, the defense is best in the PSAC in opponents' third down conversion. It has allowed 12 conversions in 48 attempts.
• The rushing attack is all about balance. Kevin Marshall leads the team with 74.8 yards per game and is averaging 7.0 yards per carry. Kevin Herod averages 74.0 yards per game and leads the team with four scores.
• Reigning PSAC Eastern Division Offensive Player of the Week Mike Harris is a star. He was an all-region selection and All-PSAC East First Team player last year, has over 2,000 career receiving yards and 20 catches for 369 yards this season.
• The Red Raiders have been a stout on defense as well. They currently rank third in the league in scoring defense, surrendering just 17.2 points per game. They have held opponents to just 94.2 rushing yards per game and just 3.3 yards per carry. With 16 sacks, the Red Raiders rank second in the PSAC. Josh Simmons is the team's top tackler and is averaging 7.8 stops per game. He is also third in the PSAC with four sacks. Andy Horn and Tyton Brunner each have three sacks.
• Kyler Ford is also an outstanding punter. He is best in the PSAC with an average net of 37.0. His 42.2 yards per punt is also best in the league.
THE LAST TIME OUT
• West Chester's offense hit Millersville early and kept the home team reeling throughout Saturday's PSAC Eastern Division opener at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium. The Golden Rams scored five touchdowns of more than 40 yards to hand the Marauders a 63-10 defeat.
• The Golden Rams (2-2, 1-0 PSAC East) totaled 544 yards of total offense on just 56 plays, rushing for 231 and passing for 313. Millersville (1-3, 0-1 PSAC East), meanwhile, was stymied by West Chester's defense as it managed just 227 yards of total offense and was sacked three times.
• It didn't take long for West Chester to get started as Dan DePalma hauled in a 58-yard pass from Joe Wright for six points just 1:36 into the contest. That sparked a 28-point first quarter for the visitors that included four plays from scrimmage that went for more than 40 yards and a 37-yard punt return that set up another TD.
• Millersville's offense moved the ball more efficiently in the second half thanks in part to Akeem Johnson, who came off the bench and rushed for 46 yards on seven carries in his 2009 debut. But after 21 unanswered West Chester points in the third quarter, the damage was done.
• Bill Shirk found junior Andrew Downs from 19 yards out with 2:54 left in the contest, giving Downs his first career touchdown catch, and Millersville its lone touchdown of the game.
• Shirk completed 17-of-34 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. Matt Egenrieder led the team with five catches but totaled just 12 yards. Smith, Lou Brown, Downs and Brad Lantz had three catches apiece.
BACK IN ACTION
• Running back Akeem Johnson made his 2009 debut on Sept. 19 against West Chester and delivered a team-high 46 yards on just seven carries. It was Johnson's first action since Nov. 11, 2006. He missed the 2007 and 2008 season after posting 128 yards on 46 carries in six games as a freshman. In 2006, he totaled four carries in each of his six appearances and set a career high of 50 yards on 16 carries against Cheyney.
CATCHES FOR MATT
• Sophomore Matt Egenrieder has become one of Bill Shirk's top targets. Egenrieder leads the team in catches with 19 and ranks seventh in the PSAC. He has led the team in receptions in four of the last five games dating back to last year. He has totaled at least four catches in his last five games and has caught five passes three times this season. He has 25 catches in his last five games dating back to the 2008 season finale at Edinboro. He has also recorded at least one reception in seven straight games dating back to last year.
TURNING IT OVER
• The Millersville defense has shown the ability to create turnovers this season. It has six interceptions and four fumble recoveries, helping the team rank first in the PSAC in turnover margin at plus five.
• The Marauders have picked off at least one pass in each of their three games this season and intercepted two against Slippery Rock and West Chester. Dating back to 2008, the Marauders have at least one interception in seven straight games. The defense has totaled 11 picks in those seven games. During that stretch, Millersville picked off East Stroudsburg three times, which marked the most interceptions in a 10 game stretch.
• Against West Chester, Brian Knell recorded the first interception of his career and Dan McClellan tallied his second of the season and second in as many games. McClellan, a junior, now has four career interceptions, but this is the first time he has had two interceptions a season.
• Along with McClellan, the only player with more than one interception during the current streak is defensive lineman Chad Miller who picked off one pass against East Stroudsburg in 2008 and one against Assumption in the 2009 season opener.
• Senior Julius Carter has shown a knack for making plays. He has one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He is also the only player that managed to pick up yards after his interception (25).
MOVING ON UP
• Senior running back Brad Lantz is back from injury and has an opportunity to leave his mark on the Millersville record books. The running back entered the 2009 season ranked 12th all-time in rushing yards with 1,951 yards. After 194 yards in the first four weeks, he has moved past John Flamish and Juan Jones for ninth. He now has 2,145 and is within striking distance of Troy Smith (1982-85) for eighth. Smith totaled 2,154 yards during his career.
• In his two healthy seasons at running back, Lantz averaged nearly 880 yards rushing per season. If he can match that total in 2009, he will have 2,831 yards and rank fourth all-time behind Marc DeBellis (1991-94).
• Also, Lantz already ranks third all-time in career carries with 529. He averaged 213 carries during his first two seasons, and totaled 45 carries in the first three weeks of this season. Another season with 213 carries would put him at 685 carries and in first place all-time ahead of the legendary Ricke Stonewall, who totaled 648 while racking up 4,169 yards from 1981-84.
DOUBLE THE PRODUCTION
• With Brad Lantz injured last season, Cardoza Jacks emerged as the team's workhorse running back. Jacks totaled a team-best 765 yards in just five starts and rattled off four 100-yard performances in the final five games. With Jacks and Lantz both healthy in 2009, the Marauders have two backs with over 1,000 career yards. While Lantz boasts 2,145 yards, Jacks, a junior, has 1,110 yards and a career average of 4.7 yards per carry.
• The two running backs combined for 151 yards rushing in the season opener. Jacks totaled 88 yards on just three rushes, and Lantz added 63 on 17 carries.
• Lantz has seven 100-yard rushing performances to his credit, and his career best is 152 (Nov. 10, 2007 vs. Kutztown). All four of Jacks' 100-yard rushing games came in 2008, and his high is 274 yards. He also set a school record for carries with 44 against Cheyney on Oct. 11.
• Jacks has averaged just over 500 yards per season in his first two years. Staying on that pace would put him over 2,000 yards and into the top 10 on Millersville's career rushing list. Of the top 10 rushers in school history, there are three sets of teammates. Ricke Stonewall (1st), Bob Coyne (5th) and Troy Smith (8th) all played together from 1982-83. Scott Highley (2nd) and Ron Porter (6th) were teammates from 1988-89, and Marc DeBellis (3rd) and Gerald Mack (7th) played on the same team in 1993-94.
CAPTAIN SHIRK
• Bill Shirk has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the PSAC since he took over in the fourth game of the 2008 season. He has started the 2009 season quickly, completing 73 of 137 passes for 739 yards and three touchdowns. He has also had two passes go for more than 37 yards.
• Shirk currently ranks xith in the PSAC in passing yards and 10th in total offense.
• In just 11 starts, Shirk has seven 200-yard passing efforts. He recorded his first of the 2009 season against Slippery Rock when he totaled 214 yards and followed it with 204 yards against Indiana (Pa.). Shirk finished 2008 with five 200-yard games. On Oct. 18 against C.W. Post, he became the first Millersville quarterback to throw for 300 yards in a game since Dan Csencsitz threw for 301 against Bloomsburg in 2004. Millersville played 40 games without a 300-yard passer.
• Prior to Shirk taking over at quarterback, no Millersville quarterback had attempted 40 passes in a game since 2004, but Shirk has accomplished the feat twice in his 12 starts.
• Before Shirk stepped into the lineup, no Millersville quarterback had completed 20 passes in a game since 2004. Shirk, however, has eclipsed that number three times in 12 starts. Only twice has he completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes in a game.
MR. SMITH GOES TO WR
• Jamal Smith has become the team's top wide receiver this season as he has made 17 catches for a team-best 230 yards and scored three touchdowns. Both of his touchdown receptions have been for more than 20 yards. All four of the receiving touchdowns in his career have gone for more than 20 yards. He also scored a rushing touchdown against Assumption. In addition to four receiving scores, he has six rushing and six passing touchdowns for 16 overall.
• Smith's seven catches in week two set a new career high. He has caught at least one pass in each of his 10 starts at the position.
• His 112-yard performance against Slippery Rock was the third 100-yard receiving game of his career and the first of the 2009 season. He also went over 100 yards on Sept. 20, 2008 against West Chester (131) and on Oct. 18 at C.W. Post (139). All three of his 100-yard games have come on the road.
• Smith's 80-yard grab against West Chester in 2008 was the team's longest completion of the season and was the longest since Drew Folmar's 91-yard TD pass to Sean Scott in 1999.
• Only two receivers in school history have totaled 1,000 yards in a season. Sean Scott did it twice (1998 and 1999), and Mike McFetridge set the school record with 1,131 yards in 1998.
TOTALING TACKLES
• Millersville's returning safety duo of Matt Sutjak and Julius Carter have been racking up the tackle totals in 2009 and are on pace to finish as the team leaders in tackles for the second year in a row. Carter has led the team in tackles in each of the first four games and Sutjak has been first or second in three of the four games. Twice they have tied for the team high. The duo has combined for 68 stops this season. Carter has made at least eight tackles in all four games, and Sutjak has had eight tackles in three of four games. Both set career highs against Slippery Rock. Carter totaled 14 tackles and Sutjak tallied 10.
• Through four weeks, Carter is tied for fifth in the PSAC with 9.5 tackles per game. He is one of only nine players in the conference averaging 9.0 or more stops per game. Sutjak is tied for 18th with 7.5 tackles per game.
• The pair totaled 73 and 70 tackles respectively in 2008. Both players ranked in the PSAC's top 25 in tackles per game. Carter, a three-year letterwinner, has totaled 170 career tackles.
• Carter totaled eight or more tackles in a game 10 times in the last two years. Sutjak has tallied eight or more tackles eight times.
SPECIAL SPECIAL TEAMS
• Millersville's special teams have been a key asset to the team so far this season and several players rank among the tops in the PSAC.
• Millersville ranks fourth in kickoff returns, averaging 24.9 per return. Individually, Lou Brown ranks first with a 28.6 average. His eight returns have gone for 229 yards. He is also one of just three players with a kickoff return of more than 40 yards. His 42-yard return against Slippery Rock was the longest by a Marauder since Derrick Bass went for 45 yards on Sept. 13, 2008.
• Brown also ranks second in the PSAC in punt return average at 7.9 yards on seven returns but does not have enough returns to qualify for the PSAC leaders.
• John Banzhof has displayed one of the biggest legs in the conference this year. In the first three weeks, he has punted the ball a league-high 31 times and is sixth in the league with a 39.0 average. He has also drilled five 50-yard punts, including three in week two against Slippery Rock. His best of the season was a 56-yard against Slippery Rock. He has also landed six punts inside the 20 with only one touchdback.
• Banzhof has landed 28 punts inside the 20 while totaling just six touchdbacks in the last two seasons. He has drilled eight punts longer than 50 yards and has a career long of 67.
• Banzhof is also perfect on seven PAT's this season. He is one of only seven kickers in the league to be perfect on the season.
DISTANCE RUNNER
• Cardoza Jacks' 78-yard touchdown run against Assumption on Aug. 28 was the longest run by a Marauder since Brad Myers' 80-yard TD scamper against Shippensburg in 1996.
• Including the 78-yard run at Assumption, Jacks has recorded two runs of more than 50 yards in the last two seasons. He had a 54-yard run against Cheyney in 2008. He has three runs of more than 30 yards.
THE SACK IS BACK
• Millersville totaled four sacks against Assumption, one against Slippery Rock, two against IUP and one more against West Chester, giving the defense eight on the season, eclipsing the entire 2008 season total.
• At Assumption, the Marauders recorded their first four-sack game since Nov. 3, 2007 against Bentley. Millersville has totaled four or more sacks in a game just three times since the start of the 2006 season. All four sacks came from different players. Jeff Longley, Zack Riley and Chad Miller each recorded their first career sacks. Owen King tallied a half-sack last year, giving him 1.5 for his career. Against IUP, Shane Gross and Ryan Christian both registered their first career sack, and against West Chester, Antwain Brown-Barnes recorded the first of his career.
• Miller currently leads the team with two sacks. He entered the 2009 season without a sack in 22 career games but has had one in each of the first two games this year. So far this season, seven different players have recorded a sack. It is the first time the defense has had four straight games with a sack since the ending the 2005 season with a streak of seven games.
DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE
• Not only did Millersville's 2009 schedule start with three road games, it is dotted with outstanding teams. Three teams (West Chester, Bloomsburg and Edinboro) started the season ranked in the top 25 of the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, and IUP made an appearance in the rankings last week. Bloomsburg is currently ranked No. 5 in Division II.
• Of Millersville's 11 opponents, four started 3-0 and after week four, five teams are 3-1. Nine of the 11 teams on the schedule are .500 or better after four games.
WELCOME ABOARD
• Greg Colby added four new coaches to his 2009 staff. Roland Weeden takes over as running backs coach after two years at Cheyney and three at Fairleigh Dickinson. Terry Owens will assist with the defensive backs after an outstanding career at Kutztown, and former Marauders Adam Cobb and Eric Updegrove will also work as assistants.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 – 7 p.m.
Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium, Millersville, Pa.
SERIES INFORMATION
Series vs. Shippensburg: 23-36-2
Series Streak: SU, 5
First Meeting: 1916 (SU 16, MU 0)
Last Meeting: 2008 (SU 35, MU 14)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Internet Broadcast: MSBN
Announcers: Domenic Panza and Matt Majewski
Live Stats
TICKET INFORMATION
Reserved Seat: $8
General Admission: $6
Senior Citizen: $3
Visiting Students with ID: $3
Children under 6: FREE
MU Students, Faculty and Staff: FREE with one guest with valid ID
ABOUT THE GAME
• The Millersville Marauders enter Saturday evening's PSAC Eastern Division contest against Shippensburg with hopes of ending a three-game skid that starting in week two. Last week, the Marauders' home opener was spoiled by West Chester which handed the Marauders a 63-10 defeat. It was the second time in as many seasons that the Marauders allowed 63 points at home. Millersville's task gets no easier against Shippensburg as the Red Raiders boast a 3-1 overall record and a three-game winning streak. The Red Raiders opened PSAC East play with a convincing 38-14 victory over previously unbeaten East Stroudsburg last week as well.
• Kickoff from Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m., and audio can be heard on the home of Millersville Athletics, the Marauder Sports Broadcasting Network (MSBN). MSBN is a webcast that is accessed at millersvilleathletics.com. Domenic Panza and Matt Majewski will call the action.
• Also during Saturday's game, coaches from Shippensburg and Millersville—and all across the country--will wear a “Coach to Cure MD” logo patch on the sidelines, and fans are encouraged to donate to research projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused entirely on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
• Saturday's game is Millersville's third night game of the season. The Marauders won at Assumption to start the season but fell to Slippery Rock 31-14 under the lights. It is the team's first home night game since Oct. 6, 2007. The first night game in Millersville history occurred on Sept. 14, 1985. Since then, the Marauders are an impressive 30-8 (.789) in home night games.
• While the Marauders lost the home opener, it is still 127-65-3 (.651) at home since Biemesderfer Stadium opened in 1970. The Marauders have won at least two games at home in all but six of the 39 seasons at Biemesderfer Stadium.
• The Marauders are looking for an offensive spark. Since scoring 31 in the season opener at Assumption, the Marauders have scored 14 points or fewer in each of the last three games and have averaged 9.0 points per game during that stretch. The running game has not been able to get untracked. Millersville racked up 147 yards against Assumption but has averaged just 56.7 yards per game since while allowing 239.3.
• Despite being outgained 1,402 to 742 in the three losses, Millersville has led in time of possession and has passed for nearly 185 yards per game.
• With a win Saturday, Millersville will avoid its fourth straight season with a four-game losing streak.
• Shippensburg is one of the surprise teams in the PSAC so far this season. The Red Raiders were picked to finish fifth in the PSAC Eastern Division Preseason Poll but have won three in a row since falling to Shepherd in the season opener. Shippensburg knocked off nationally ranked Edinboro in week two and handed East Stroudsburg its first loss of the season last week.
ABOUT THE SERIES
• Shippensburg has a 36-23-2 lead in a series that dates to 1916. The Red Raiders captured the first meeting 16-0 and won nine of the first 11 meetings with Millersville picking up a 27-0 win in 1923 and earning a 7-7 tie in 1921. From 1969-2000, the Marauders dominated the series, posting a 16-3-1 record over the Red Raiders. Millersville had won five in a row until Shippensburg snapped the streak with a 17-7 victory in 2001. Since, the Red Raiders have rattled off five wins in a row including two at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium.
• Millersville is 7-6-1 at home against Shippensburg. The last time the clubs met at Millersville was Oct. 13, 2007, and Shippensburg won 23-14 behind 186 yards passing and 186 yards rushing. Last year, Shippensburg turned a close 21-14 halftime lead into a 35-14 victory with a 14 unanswered points in the third quarter.
• Millersville has failed to score more than 17 points in each of the last three games against Shippensburg and has cracked the 20-point mark just once in the last five meetings. Over that span, Shippensburg is averaging 29.4 points per game to Millersville's 15.8.
• Shippensburg head coach Rocky Rees is in his 20th season and is 6-6 all-time against Millersville. Other than the current five-game winning streak over the Marauders, his only win came in 1993 (16-14).
THE HEAD COACHES
• Millersville's Greg Colby is in his second season as head coach. Colby spent most of his career as an assistant at the Division I level. From 1979-86, he was the head coach at Schlarman High School and Naperville High School in Illinois. While at Schlarman, Colby led the team to back-to-back Illinois High School 2-A State Championships (1981-82).
• Colby has an impressive resume. He came to Millersville after serving as the defensive coordinator at Northwestern from 2002-07 during which time the Wildcats posted three-straight six-win seasons for the first time in 70 years. He was also the defensive coordinator at Kent State for four seasons and served as a defensive assistant at Michigan State under Nick Saban and at Illinois under Lou Tepper.
• Rocky Rees begins his 20th season at the helm of the Red Raider football program and currently ranks tenth among active Division II coaches with 145 career victories. With that total, Rees ranks seventh in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) for career coaching victories. Rees has a long and distinguished career in football that spans 37 years. The all-time leader for coaching victories in Red Raider football history, Rees has totaled a 19-year record of 109-101-1 (.519) at Shippensburg. Overall, he owns a career mark of 145-116-2 (.555). In 2006, he became the first coach in school history to win 100 games with a 28-21 victory at Slippery Rock.
• Rees ranks fourth in tenure among conference head coaches behind Denny Douds of East Stroudsburg (36th season), Danny Hale of Bloomsburg (22nd season) and Dr. George Mihalik of Slippery Rock (22nd season). Additionally, Rees ranks sixth in career games coached among his active Division II brethren.
SCOUTING THE RED RAIDERS
• Since the week one loss, Shippensburg has been one of the most dominant teams in the PSAC. It has outscored its opponents 111-35 and is averaging 37.0 points per game. Through four weeks, the Red Raiders boast the league's best offense, averaging 33.5 points per game. The Red Raiders have scored a league-best 18 touchdowns. Its rushing offense is ranked second, averaging 193.2 yards per game. 10 of the teams 18 scores have come on the ground.
• Shippensburg's offense has shown remarkable balance, rushing for 773 yards and passing for 772. The team's 386.2 yards per game of total offense is third best in the league as well. It is also ranked first in time of possession (34:06).
• Shippensburg ranks first in the PSAC in third down conversions. It has converted 29 of 58 attempts (50.0 percent). On the flip side, the defense is best in the PSAC in opponents' third down conversion. It has allowed 12 conversions in 48 attempts.
• The rushing attack is all about balance. Kevin Marshall leads the team with 74.8 yards per game and is averaging 7.0 yards per carry. Kevin Herod averages 74.0 yards per game and leads the team with four scores.
• Reigning PSAC Eastern Division Offensive Player of the Week Mike Harris is a star. He was an all-region selection and All-PSAC East First Team player last year, has over 2,000 career receiving yards and 20 catches for 369 yards this season.
• The Red Raiders have been a stout on defense as well. They currently rank third in the league in scoring defense, surrendering just 17.2 points per game. They have held opponents to just 94.2 rushing yards per game and just 3.3 yards per carry. With 16 sacks, the Red Raiders rank second in the PSAC. Josh Simmons is the team's top tackler and is averaging 7.8 stops per game. He is also third in the PSAC with four sacks. Andy Horn and Tyton Brunner each have three sacks.
• Kyler Ford is also an outstanding punter. He is best in the PSAC with an average net of 37.0. His 42.2 yards per punt is also best in the league.
THE LAST TIME OUT
• West Chester's offense hit Millersville early and kept the home team reeling throughout Saturday's PSAC Eastern Division opener at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium. The Golden Rams scored five touchdowns of more than 40 yards to hand the Marauders a 63-10 defeat.
• The Golden Rams (2-2, 1-0 PSAC East) totaled 544 yards of total offense on just 56 plays, rushing for 231 and passing for 313. Millersville (1-3, 0-1 PSAC East), meanwhile, was stymied by West Chester's defense as it managed just 227 yards of total offense and was sacked three times.
• It didn't take long for West Chester to get started as Dan DePalma hauled in a 58-yard pass from Joe Wright for six points just 1:36 into the contest. That sparked a 28-point first quarter for the visitors that included four plays from scrimmage that went for more than 40 yards and a 37-yard punt return that set up another TD.
• Millersville's offense moved the ball more efficiently in the second half thanks in part to Akeem Johnson, who came off the bench and rushed for 46 yards on seven carries in his 2009 debut. But after 21 unanswered West Chester points in the third quarter, the damage was done.
• Bill Shirk found junior Andrew Downs from 19 yards out with 2:54 left in the contest, giving Downs his first career touchdown catch, and Millersville its lone touchdown of the game.
• Shirk completed 17-of-34 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. Matt Egenrieder led the team with five catches but totaled just 12 yards. Smith, Lou Brown, Downs and Brad Lantz had three catches apiece.
BACK IN ACTION
• Running back Akeem Johnson made his 2009 debut on Sept. 19 against West Chester and delivered a team-high 46 yards on just seven carries. It was Johnson's first action since Nov. 11, 2006. He missed the 2007 and 2008 season after posting 128 yards on 46 carries in six games as a freshman. In 2006, he totaled four carries in each of his six appearances and set a career high of 50 yards on 16 carries against Cheyney.
CATCHES FOR MATT
• Sophomore Matt Egenrieder has become one of Bill Shirk's top targets. Egenrieder leads the team in catches with 19 and ranks seventh in the PSAC. He has led the team in receptions in four of the last five games dating back to last year. He has totaled at least four catches in his last five games and has caught five passes three times this season. He has 25 catches in his last five games dating back to the 2008 season finale at Edinboro. He has also recorded at least one reception in seven straight games dating back to last year.
TURNING IT OVER
• The Millersville defense has shown the ability to create turnovers this season. It has six interceptions and four fumble recoveries, helping the team rank first in the PSAC in turnover margin at plus five.
• The Marauders have picked off at least one pass in each of their three games this season and intercepted two against Slippery Rock and West Chester. Dating back to 2008, the Marauders have at least one interception in seven straight games. The defense has totaled 11 picks in those seven games. During that stretch, Millersville picked off East Stroudsburg three times, which marked the most interceptions in a 10 game stretch.
• Against West Chester, Brian Knell recorded the first interception of his career and Dan McClellan tallied his second of the season and second in as many games. McClellan, a junior, now has four career interceptions, but this is the first time he has had two interceptions a season.
• Along with McClellan, the only player with more than one interception during the current streak is defensive lineman Chad Miller who picked off one pass against East Stroudsburg in 2008 and one against Assumption in the 2009 season opener.
• Senior Julius Carter has shown a knack for making plays. He has one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He is also the only player that managed to pick up yards after his interception (25).
MOVING ON UP
• Senior running back Brad Lantz is back from injury and has an opportunity to leave his mark on the Millersville record books. The running back entered the 2009 season ranked 12th all-time in rushing yards with 1,951 yards. After 194 yards in the first four weeks, he has moved past John Flamish and Juan Jones for ninth. He now has 2,145 and is within striking distance of Troy Smith (1982-85) for eighth. Smith totaled 2,154 yards during his career.
• In his two healthy seasons at running back, Lantz averaged nearly 880 yards rushing per season. If he can match that total in 2009, he will have 2,831 yards and rank fourth all-time behind Marc DeBellis (1991-94).
• Also, Lantz already ranks third all-time in career carries with 529. He averaged 213 carries during his first two seasons, and totaled 45 carries in the first three weeks of this season. Another season with 213 carries would put him at 685 carries and in first place all-time ahead of the legendary Ricke Stonewall, who totaled 648 while racking up 4,169 yards from 1981-84.
DOUBLE THE PRODUCTION
• With Brad Lantz injured last season, Cardoza Jacks emerged as the team's workhorse running back. Jacks totaled a team-best 765 yards in just five starts and rattled off four 100-yard performances in the final five games. With Jacks and Lantz both healthy in 2009, the Marauders have two backs with over 1,000 career yards. While Lantz boasts 2,145 yards, Jacks, a junior, has 1,110 yards and a career average of 4.7 yards per carry.
• The two running backs combined for 151 yards rushing in the season opener. Jacks totaled 88 yards on just three rushes, and Lantz added 63 on 17 carries.
• Lantz has seven 100-yard rushing performances to his credit, and his career best is 152 (Nov. 10, 2007 vs. Kutztown). All four of Jacks' 100-yard rushing games came in 2008, and his high is 274 yards. He also set a school record for carries with 44 against Cheyney on Oct. 11.
• Jacks has averaged just over 500 yards per season in his first two years. Staying on that pace would put him over 2,000 yards and into the top 10 on Millersville's career rushing list. Of the top 10 rushers in school history, there are three sets of teammates. Ricke Stonewall (1st), Bob Coyne (5th) and Troy Smith (8th) all played together from 1982-83. Scott Highley (2nd) and Ron Porter (6th) were teammates from 1988-89, and Marc DeBellis (3rd) and Gerald Mack (7th) played on the same team in 1993-94.
CAPTAIN SHIRK
• Bill Shirk has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the PSAC since he took over in the fourth game of the 2008 season. He has started the 2009 season quickly, completing 73 of 137 passes for 739 yards and three touchdowns. He has also had two passes go for more than 37 yards.
• Shirk currently ranks xith in the PSAC in passing yards and 10th in total offense.
• In just 11 starts, Shirk has seven 200-yard passing efforts. He recorded his first of the 2009 season against Slippery Rock when he totaled 214 yards and followed it with 204 yards against Indiana (Pa.). Shirk finished 2008 with five 200-yard games. On Oct. 18 against C.W. Post, he became the first Millersville quarterback to throw for 300 yards in a game since Dan Csencsitz threw for 301 against Bloomsburg in 2004. Millersville played 40 games without a 300-yard passer.
• Prior to Shirk taking over at quarterback, no Millersville quarterback had attempted 40 passes in a game since 2004, but Shirk has accomplished the feat twice in his 12 starts.
• Before Shirk stepped into the lineup, no Millersville quarterback had completed 20 passes in a game since 2004. Shirk, however, has eclipsed that number three times in 12 starts. Only twice has he completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes in a game.
MR. SMITH GOES TO WR
• Jamal Smith has become the team's top wide receiver this season as he has made 17 catches for a team-best 230 yards and scored three touchdowns. Both of his touchdown receptions have been for more than 20 yards. All four of the receiving touchdowns in his career have gone for more than 20 yards. He also scored a rushing touchdown against Assumption. In addition to four receiving scores, he has six rushing and six passing touchdowns for 16 overall.
• Smith's seven catches in week two set a new career high. He has caught at least one pass in each of his 10 starts at the position.
• His 112-yard performance against Slippery Rock was the third 100-yard receiving game of his career and the first of the 2009 season. He also went over 100 yards on Sept. 20, 2008 against West Chester (131) and on Oct. 18 at C.W. Post (139). All three of his 100-yard games have come on the road.
• Smith's 80-yard grab against West Chester in 2008 was the team's longest completion of the season and was the longest since Drew Folmar's 91-yard TD pass to Sean Scott in 1999.
• Only two receivers in school history have totaled 1,000 yards in a season. Sean Scott did it twice (1998 and 1999), and Mike McFetridge set the school record with 1,131 yards in 1998.
TOTALING TACKLES
• Millersville's returning safety duo of Matt Sutjak and Julius Carter have been racking up the tackle totals in 2009 and are on pace to finish as the team leaders in tackles for the second year in a row. Carter has led the team in tackles in each of the first four games and Sutjak has been first or second in three of the four games. Twice they have tied for the team high. The duo has combined for 68 stops this season. Carter has made at least eight tackles in all four games, and Sutjak has had eight tackles in three of four games. Both set career highs against Slippery Rock. Carter totaled 14 tackles and Sutjak tallied 10.
• Through four weeks, Carter is tied for fifth in the PSAC with 9.5 tackles per game. He is one of only nine players in the conference averaging 9.0 or more stops per game. Sutjak is tied for 18th with 7.5 tackles per game.
• The pair totaled 73 and 70 tackles respectively in 2008. Both players ranked in the PSAC's top 25 in tackles per game. Carter, a three-year letterwinner, has totaled 170 career tackles.
• Carter totaled eight or more tackles in a game 10 times in the last two years. Sutjak has tallied eight or more tackles eight times.
SPECIAL SPECIAL TEAMS
• Millersville's special teams have been a key asset to the team so far this season and several players rank among the tops in the PSAC.
• Millersville ranks fourth in kickoff returns, averaging 24.9 per return. Individually, Lou Brown ranks first with a 28.6 average. His eight returns have gone for 229 yards. He is also one of just three players with a kickoff return of more than 40 yards. His 42-yard return against Slippery Rock was the longest by a Marauder since Derrick Bass went for 45 yards on Sept. 13, 2008.
• Brown also ranks second in the PSAC in punt return average at 7.9 yards on seven returns but does not have enough returns to qualify for the PSAC leaders.
• John Banzhof has displayed one of the biggest legs in the conference this year. In the first three weeks, he has punted the ball a league-high 31 times and is sixth in the league with a 39.0 average. He has also drilled five 50-yard punts, including three in week two against Slippery Rock. His best of the season was a 56-yard against Slippery Rock. He has also landed six punts inside the 20 with only one touchdback.
• Banzhof has landed 28 punts inside the 20 while totaling just six touchdbacks in the last two seasons. He has drilled eight punts longer than 50 yards and has a career long of 67.
• Banzhof is also perfect on seven PAT's this season. He is one of only seven kickers in the league to be perfect on the season.
DISTANCE RUNNER
• Cardoza Jacks' 78-yard touchdown run against Assumption on Aug. 28 was the longest run by a Marauder since Brad Myers' 80-yard TD scamper against Shippensburg in 1996.
• Including the 78-yard run at Assumption, Jacks has recorded two runs of more than 50 yards in the last two seasons. He had a 54-yard run against Cheyney in 2008. He has three runs of more than 30 yards.
THE SACK IS BACK
• Millersville totaled four sacks against Assumption, one against Slippery Rock, two against IUP and one more against West Chester, giving the defense eight on the season, eclipsing the entire 2008 season total.
• At Assumption, the Marauders recorded their first four-sack game since Nov. 3, 2007 against Bentley. Millersville has totaled four or more sacks in a game just three times since the start of the 2006 season. All four sacks came from different players. Jeff Longley, Zack Riley and Chad Miller each recorded their first career sacks. Owen King tallied a half-sack last year, giving him 1.5 for his career. Against IUP, Shane Gross and Ryan Christian both registered their first career sack, and against West Chester, Antwain Brown-Barnes recorded the first of his career.
• Miller currently leads the team with two sacks. He entered the 2009 season without a sack in 22 career games but has had one in each of the first two games this year. So far this season, seven different players have recorded a sack. It is the first time the defense has had four straight games with a sack since the ending the 2005 season with a streak of seven games.
DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE
• Not only did Millersville's 2009 schedule start with three road games, it is dotted with outstanding teams. Three teams (West Chester, Bloomsburg and Edinboro) started the season ranked in the top 25 of the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, and IUP made an appearance in the rankings last week. Bloomsburg is currently ranked No. 5 in Division II.
• Of Millersville's 11 opponents, four started 3-0 and after week four, five teams are 3-1. Nine of the 11 teams on the schedule are .500 or better after four games.
WELCOME ABOARD
• Greg Colby added four new coaches to his 2009 staff. Roland Weeden takes over as running backs coach after two years at Cheyney and three at Fairleigh Dickinson. Terry Owens will assist with the defensive backs after an outstanding career at Kutztown, and former Marauders Adam Cobb and Eric Updegrove will also work as assistants.
Monday, January 19
Saturday, November 15
Saturday, October 04
Saturday, September 27
