West Chester Falls To No. 13 Shippensburg, 42-24

The following is a press release from the West Chester University Athletic Department.

No. 13 Shippensburg scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and defeat host West Chester on a Homecoming Weekend at John A. Farrell Stadium Saturday.
 
Rondell White went over 100 yards rushing for the fifth time this year and now has 1,000 yards rushing on the season. However, Shippensburg QB Zach Zulli threw for 345 yards and five TDs to lead the Red Raiders (8-0, 5-0 PSAC East).
 
West Chester (5-3, 3-2) held the nation’s top-ranked offense to just 27 yards on three possessions during a scoreless third quarter. However, the Golden Rams were shut out in the second half as the Red Raiders completed their comeback in the final 15 minutes.
 
The Golden Rams scored a touchdown on each of their first three possessions Saturday to jump out in front 21-0. White raced to paydirt from 17 yards out, capping West Chester’s first drive. Tom Shrader then snared an aerial from Mike Mattei (18 of 28 for 275 yards) and galloped 77 yards for a score three minutes later. Jim Kelly then caught a 42-yard pass from Mattei in the first minute of the second quarter to put the Rams well in control.
 
After two punts and a missed field goal on its first three possessions, Shippensburg answered West Chester’s trifecta with three straight TDs in the second quarter to tie the game with 1:10 remaining before halftime. Trevor Harman (5 catches, 81 yards) grabbed two of his game-high four touchdown passes during that spurt.
 
West Chester place-kicker Shawn Leo booted a 40-yard field goal with :01 left in the half to give the Golden Rams the lead heading into the break.
 
Zulli, who entered the game ranked second in Division II in passing, finished 29-for-49 for 345 yards and five TDs. He did not throw an interception. Though, West Chester defensive players dropped three would-be picks on the day.
 
Ronell Williams finished with a career-high 18 tackles on the day. Fellow linebacker Mike Culbreath had a career-best 14 stops.

Jim Kelly caught seven passes for 113 yards and a score for West Chester in the loss.
 
West Chester concludes its home slate next Saturday at 12 p.m. against Cheyney on Senior Day at John A. Farrell Stadium. West Chester University will honor the senior members of its football team, cheerleading squad and incomparable marching band before its game with the cross-county rival Wolves.