Marauder Defense Forces Seven Turnovers, Shuts Out Cheyney 16-0

MARAUDER DEFENSE FORCES SEVEN TURNOVERS, SHUTS OUT CHEYNEY 16-0

October 27, 2007, Cheyney, Pa. – The Millersville University football team forced seven Cheyney turnovers and went on to pick-up their first shutout of the season, 16-0, Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action at Cheyney University.

Defensive Back Brandon Shelton (sr. New Oxford/Gettysburg Area) picked off Cheyney quarterback Derrick Murry twice in the first half, including one he returned 60 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage that put the Marauders on the board just 21 seconds into the game. The interceptions were his team-leading fourth and fifth ofhe season and marked the second week in a row he returned an interception for a touchdown. Shelton intercepted a pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter of last week’s 42-28 loss to Bloomsburg.

The Marauder secondary would not be done with Murray as they picked him off two more times including interceptions by linebacker Brandon Tyler (sr. Gettysburg/Gettysburg Area) and defensive back Julius Carter (so. Philadelphia/John Bartram).

Tyler ended a Cheyney scoring threat late in the third quarter when he intercepted the ball at Millersville’s 34-yard line and returned it 16 yards before being tackled. The play ended a seven-play, 28 yard drive by the Wolves.

Carter’s interception came on Cheyney’s second possession of the game and also ended a seven-play drive into Marauder territory. Carter returned the pick 21 yards before taken down.

Millersville would pick up their third turnover of the first quarter when Cheyney running back Chinoso Okoro coughed up the ball and defensive back Thomas Wilmer (fr. Philadelphia/George Washington) fell on it. After an unsuccessful attempt to punch the ball into the endzone, a John Banzhoff (so. Lancaster/McCaskey) missed field goal attempt from 47 yards nearly gave the Marauders a ten point lead.

The Marauder defense continued to put pressure on Murray throughout the Wolves next possession and finally caused him to fumble at midfield where it was picked up by defensive end Jarrod Linn (jr. Gettysburg/Gettysburg Area). The result saw Millersville extend their lead with a 13 play, 30 yard drive that set up Banzhoff for a 35-yard field goal and a 10-0 Marauder lead.

The score would remain that way until the halftime buzzer helped in part by Shelton’s second pick of the game and the Wolves fifth turnover of the half.

Millersville’s final score came late in the third quarter after return man Jimmie Cotton (fr. Sharon Hill/Malvern Prep) received a punt at the Cheyney 40-yard line and returned it 22 yards to the Cheyney 18. That set up running back Brad Lantz (so. Towanda/Towanda) for an 18-yard touchdown run and put Millersville out in front 16-0. Lantz finished the day with 133 yards rushing on 23 carries. This marked the third time the running back went over 100 yards this season and the first time since his 27-carry, 124-yard performance in a 45-0 loss to Indiana (Pa.).

The Marauder defense was not done, as they forced another Cheyney fumble with just 3:13 left in the game. Defensive End Kevin Kershner (jr. Coatesville/Downingtown West) stripped Murray, forcing his sixth turnover of the game. Defensive End Trevor Levitz (jr. Pen Argyl/Pen Argyl) jumped on it to complete the play.

Millersville did not allow Cheyney to cross their 29-yard line throughout the entire game and their seven forced turnovers was a season high. The Marauders last shutout came in the final game of 2006 when they beat Mansfield 41-0.

The win improves Millersville to 3-6 (2-2 PSAC East) on the season with two games remaining. The loss drops Cheyney to 1-8 (0-3 PSAC East) overall.

The Marauders will be back in action next Saturday, November 3rd, when they play host to Bentley University beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Beimesderfer Stadium.