What We Learned From CW Post

SEAN GALLAGHER, WSYC SPORTS DIRECTOR 

There were a lot of things to take away from the CW Post loss this past Saturday, in which the Red Raiders (2-2, 0-1) can build on going into this Saturday's homecoming game against #12Kutztown.

Here are a few things that I took away from it:

Zulli is still learning: Shippensburg Quarterback Zach Zulli struggled in the second half during his first start against Shepherd, throwing two interceptions that resulted in 14 quick points on the board. Zulli has learned to throw the ball away when being pressured and not forcing the pass to make something happen. Zulli looked impressive through the air against Gannon and then ran like crazy all over Clarion. Against CW Post, he saw a defense that was able to break through the line and cause chaos in the backfield. Zulli fumbled the ball twice and lost both on Saturday and threw an interception to defensive end Andrew Jackson. Zulli has at least one pick in each of the first four games of the year. Turnovers and short, stalled drives put more pressure on the defense to step up, and had to frustrate the offense, who had been on fire in the prior two weeks. CW Post was the second best defense that Shippensburg has seen this year other than Shepherd. They will see a tougher one against Kutztown.


Red Raider Defense vs. the Multiple Offense: Against Clarion, the Shippensburg defense was able to keep the Golden Eagle offense at bay. During the CW Post game, they found an offense that could run the multiple just as well as Zulli, Frenette and the rest of the Red Raider offense could. Laurino, Mack and Brunetti made it a long day for Ship on defense. Being able to stop the run at the first level is the key. The front four for Shippensburg have been impressive many times in the first four weeks of the season. Screen, and short passes have been one place that shows room for improvement. Linebackers Fleming, Ranauto and Hunt have done their part to stop the run, but the pass defense has seen a few holes, especially against the Pioneers, especially on key third down plays. Kutztown likes to run the multiple offense as well, and it will be run much better than CW Post ran it.  


Special Teams made it Difficult for everyone Saturday: The Pioneers at many times during the game had a shorter field to work with than Shippensburg did. Drew Newcomer had to handle all the duties against CW Post. His first kick being a "squib" that set the Pioneers at their own 45 to start the game didn't help the defense. Short kicks as well as a 73 yard punt return for a touchdown by Sean Persch made it a rough day for the Red Raiders.

The road gets tougher for the Red Raiders this point forward. Kutztown comes in looking to ruin Homecoming weekend, West Chester is a game Ship will look to win on October 8th, and their biggest test next to Shepherd will be a road game against #4Bloomsburg on October 15th, the first of three straight road games.