This win truly was six weeks in the making, including an intense month of elite-caliber opponents. Defensively, the Marauders stopped the run (109 total yards against), held an opponent to under 300 yards for the second consecutive week (263 total yards), and scored a season-high 30 points.
In fact, this offensive explosion almost doubled the amount of touchdowns this team had previously scored. Five touchdowns became nine, as Ian Sadon stole the show early with two goal line vaults, Mike Reichenbach hauled in his second career TD catch, and David Coates pulled off a spin cycle off of a defender to go in for the score.
Connor Casey looked much more comfortable in this game than in previous contests. He completed eleven passes for 84 total yards. Nothing truly spectacular, but as this offense has shown, it needs to be methodical. Casey's longest pass of 20 yards was to Reichenbach.
Also, this defense forced more turnovers. Doug Henninger and Rasheed Johnson picked off passes, and Millersville also forced two official fumbles. However, Reggie Slaton perfectly created and picked up another fumble that did not happen due to a penalty after the fact.
Those interceptions now mark three straight weeks forcing at least one pick.
Those interceptions now mark three straight weeks forcing at least one pick.
Problem was, Millersville also fumbled the ball three times in this game as well, and gave two away to Cheyney. That will be costly against more talented teams in the future. The new coaching staff is preaching a new way to carry the ball, and perfecting said technique will take time. This ball security effort has gotten strides better after some shaky control in the first two weeks.
Coming into this game, Cheyney's passing attack had suffered for far too long. Adler Thony (14-27-2) threw two great passes to Khalif Dandy and Marquis Garcia-Palmer for scores. Those were the first two passing touchdowns for the Wolves all season. They both came in the fourth quarter when the game was pretty much out of reach.
Cheyney failed to accomplish anything after said touchdowns. Dean May, after a blocked kick, returned the ball 98 yards for a two point conversion. Admittedly, I did not know this rule, and I called it a touchdown. Forgive me! Always happy to have my listeners correct me, and especially tactfully. That helps.
Cheyney's head coach Ken Lockard decided to go for two with the game way out of reach on the second touchdown, and Thony's pass failed to keep Cheyney at 12 points. Lockard also called for two consecutive fourth down offensive plays, and both succeeded.
His first fourth down came towards the conclusion of the first half. On the two yard line, Millersville's defense stuffed a run by RB Marcus Jones, and turned it back over. That play signified how far this defense has come from week one until today. Playing nationally ranked opponents forces teams to play a great brand of football, according to Breitbach, so that's exactly what is continuing to happen on the gridiron.
All in all, great step forward for the Ville. First win done, and a chance to get it done against Lock Haven (2-5, 1-3 PSAC) on Homecoming. Lock Haven's offense sputtered early, but it came to life against Shippensburg, putting a scare into those Red Raiders. Lock Haven will ride a four-game losing streak into this upcoming game.
My only, honest request...get loud and stay loud!
Let's take a look around.
#6 Bloomsburg, #15 West Chester and Shippensburg all held serve atop the East standings after Saturday's games. All of them hold undefeated records. One of them will not be come Saturday, as Ship plays West Chester on Saturday.
Bloomsburg should pick up a win this weekend against Cheyney, but they will have a significant test on Halloween against Shippensburg. That game will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Pretty awesome.
In the West, it's a three-horse race for the playoff spots, unless IUP gets something going soon. After defeating Millersville, the Crimson Hawks have dropped two straight. Edinboro handed them their latest defeat.
Slippery Rock, Gannon and Cal all hold 3-1 conference records. That Western division proves to be extremely tough year in and year out. Should be a fun finish.
Four more games remain on the docket, including three home games. Come on out and see the Millersville Marauders continue the journey back to the top. If you can't make it to Homecoming, you'll feel right at home on MSBN. Broadcast starts at 12:30 on Saturday. www.millersvilleathletics.com/msbn
Additionally, congratulations to the entire men's golf team, including head coach Scott Vandegrift and individual champion Connor Gilbert for capturing the 2013 PSAC Championship! The first of many to come at Millersville. Should be a fun year.
His first fourth down came towards the conclusion of the first half. On the two yard line, Millersville's defense stuffed a run by RB Marcus Jones, and turned it back over. That play signified how far this defense has come from week one until today. Playing nationally ranked opponents forces teams to play a great brand of football, according to Breitbach, so that's exactly what is continuing to happen on the gridiron.
All in all, great step forward for the Ville. First win done, and a chance to get it done against Lock Haven (2-5, 1-3 PSAC) on Homecoming. Lock Haven's offense sputtered early, but it came to life against Shippensburg, putting a scare into those Red Raiders. Lock Haven will ride a four-game losing streak into this upcoming game.
My only, honest request...get loud and stay loud!
Let's take a look around.
#6 Bloomsburg, #15 West Chester and Shippensburg all held serve atop the East standings after Saturday's games. All of them hold undefeated records. One of them will not be come Saturday, as Ship plays West Chester on Saturday.
Bloomsburg should pick up a win this weekend against Cheyney, but they will have a significant test on Halloween against Shippensburg. That game will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Pretty awesome.
In the West, it's a three-horse race for the playoff spots, unless IUP gets something going soon. After defeating Millersville, the Crimson Hawks have dropped two straight. Edinboro handed them their latest defeat.
Slippery Rock, Gannon and Cal all hold 3-1 conference records. That Western division proves to be extremely tough year in and year out. Should be a fun finish.
Four more games remain on the docket, including three home games. Come on out and see the Millersville Marauders continue the journey back to the top. If you can't make it to Homecoming, you'll feel right at home on MSBN. Broadcast starts at 12:30 on Saturday. www.millersvilleathletics.com/msbn
Additionally, congratulations to the entire men's golf team, including head coach Scott Vandegrift and individual champion Connor Gilbert for capturing the 2013 PSAC Championship! The first of many to come at Millersville. Should be a fun year.
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