GLENVILLE, W.Va. – Glenville State Football used a late touchdown from
Amir Simmons and a
Khaliq Johnson pass breakup on fourth down in the final minute of regulation to open Ike & Sue Morris Stadium with a 24-21 victory over Millersville Thursday (Sept. 3) night. The Pioneers improved to (1-1) on the young season as
Jake Casteel earned his first win as head coach.
1st Quarter
The GSU defense forced a three-and-out on the Marauders opening drive before the blue and white's offense marched down the field and settled for an early field goal from senior
Brody Layman. Both teams traded quick drives, ending the opening quarter with the Pioneers ahead, 3-0.
2nd Quarter
21 total points would be scored in the second quarter, with Southeast Missouri State transfer
JD Sherrod connecting with freshman
Kyree Bunny for an 84-yard on the Pioneers first play of the second stanza, making it 10-0. Millersville answered with two unanswered scores, first taking over seven minutes off the clock to trim the deficit to 10-7 and then grabbing a 14-10 lead with 44 seconds left in the half on a 52-yard rushing TD from quarterback Tommy Hunsicker.
3rd Quarter
Glenville State scored quickly out of the locker room, piecing together a five-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off with Sherrod finding Shippensburg transfer
Joziah Gonzalez for a 50-yard yard touchdown connection to give GSU the lead back, 17-14. MU came right back, as Hunsicker scored his second touchdown of the game on the ground from 11 yards out to allow Millersville to regain the advantage, 21-17. The Pioneers were knocking on the door of the goal line near the end of the quarter, but a costly interception in the endzone shifted momentum back to the Marauders.
4th Quarter
Following another big stop by the defense,
Nate Mullen's offense pushed the ball 57 yards down the field in seven plays to once again take the lead, 24-21, as Sherrod found
Amir Simmons wide open leaking out of the backfield. Late in the game, Millersville drove inside the Pioneer 25, setting up a vital 4
th & 1 at the GSU 24-yard line. MU opted to throw the ball downfield, as Idaho State transfer
Khaliq Johnson sealed the deal with a pass breakup to secure the 24-21 win inside the new Ike & Sue Morris Stadium.
Box Score
Millersville
Tommy Hunsicker was held to just 10-of-21 passing for 78 yards with an interception, but the quarterback ran for 120 yards and two scores on the ground. Mekhi Ashby averaged nearly four yards per carry and totaled 82 yards on 21 carries. Mason Musitano and Caileb Howse both had four receptions as well. All-conference linebacker Bryce Beutler led the team with 11 tackles and two TFLs while Kai Stiansen and Damonte Foreman also logged two TFLs in the defeat.
Glenville State
JD Sherrod threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-28 passing for the Pioneers. He was sacked just one time.
Zavione Wood led the team in rushing with 55 yards on 13 carries with Sherrod (47 yards) and Valparaiso transfer
Amir Simmons (32 yards) adding to the run game.
Kyree Bunny totaled 101 yards and one TD on three receptions, marking his first 100-yard collegiate game at receiver.
Kashez Gedeon had three catches for 56 yards,
Joziah Gonzalez brought in one reception but it was a big one, totaling 50 yards for a TD. Simmons caught two passes out of the backfield, with one being the dagger later in the fourth quarter.
South Dakota transfer
Jacob Clark totaled 14 tackles and 1.5 TFL in the win from his linebacker spot as Navy import
Knowel Smith was all over the place at safety, logging 12 tackles and an interception. St. Francis transfer
Wesley Brown Jr. and Emory & Henry transfer
Bryson Oliver had seven tackles each while William & Mary transfer
Tyson Garrett and Anthony Bachinksi both finished the night with five tackles and one TFL.
Up Next For The Pioneers
Glenville State will enjoy a bye week before traveling to Division 1 Mercyhurst on Saturday, September 19. The Pioneers and Lakers will kickoff at 1 p.m.
