Shippensburg University football team lost its season opener 28-3 against American International College at Abdow Field. Shippensburg’s record moved to 0-1 after the nonconference game.
Tanner Hess, a redshirt-junior from Lancaster, PA, led the Raiders with 129 all-purpose yards, including 100 return yards, 24 rushing yards, and five receiving yards. Sam Emge, also a redshirt-junior from Lancaster, PA, led the defense with nine tackles in his first start.
American International College scored first with a 26-yard touchdown run by Sidiki Kone, followed by a Shippensburg field goal of 47 yards by Tanner Luther from Chambersburg, PA. AIC extended their lead with two touchdown passes from quarterback Cephas Williams to Fatir Bell, one for 36 yards and another for 13 yards, ending the half at 21-3.
In the game, AIC quarterback Cephas Williams completed 15 of 23 passes for 172 yards with three touchdowns. Receiver Fatir Bell had 89 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and Sidiki Kone rushed for 86 yards on 22 carries.
Shippensburg’s Joey McCracken, a redshirt-sophomore, completed 14 of 25 passes for 92 yards. The game marked the collegiate debut for several Shippensburg players.
Shippensburg will host Clarion at Seth Grove Stadium in their next game.
