September 21, 2002

East Stroudsburg, Pa. - John Jeffries tip toed down the sidelines for the go ahead score and cut across the middle on third and 27 to ice the game in the last six minutes for the Warriors victory over 21st-ranked Shepherd College, 35-23. East Stroudsburg University welcomed the return of starting quarterback Jeremy Palm to the lineup to the tune of 368 yards through the air with three touchdown strikes to guide the victory.

Trailing 23-21, Palm hit Jeffries on a two-yard hitch and the receiver tiptoed the left sideline for a 32-yard touchdown to give the Warriors (2-1) the lead, 28-23, they would not relinquish.

After the ESU drive stalled on their next possession from the touchdown, Phil DeCecco belted Rams' punt returner Jamal Gardner in his causing him to fumble to give the Warriors the ball at the Shepherd (2-1) 29-yard line. Three plays later, Jeffries came up with his second outstanding run after the catch. He slanted across the middle hauled in the pass from Palm and scampered 46 yards on a third and 27 play to seal the Warrior win 35-23.

Shepherd started the game strongly marching 72 yards on eight plays as QB Joel Gordon hit Gardner from 14 yards for the touchdown. A Kevin Burkey 32-yard field goal was the result of the next Ram possession to forge a 10-0 advantage at 8:08 in the first. ESU saw fullback Anthony Carfagno run in from two yards out and Justin Kondikoff pull in a four-yard pass for Palm's first scoring pass to make it 14-10 at the half.

Cornerback Nick Beisker paced the ESU defense with two key interceptions. His first pick with two minutes left in the first quarter set up the Warriors second touchdown and second came on the Rams final possession. Beisker also forced a fumble to go with seven tackles. DeCecco wrapped up 12 stops including the important forced fumble in the fourth, which led to the final ESU touchdown.

Jeffries and Carfagno teamed to both for over a 100 yards apiece. Jeffries caught eight passes for 140 yards with two scores while Carfagno had seven balls for 114 yards. Greg Vaughn had a two-yard TD plunge with 32 yards. Palm in his first action since week one fired for 368 yards on 23 of 43 passing and three touchdowns.

Shepherd's potent ground game saw redshirt freshman Michael Walker run 24 times for 144 yards while Alex Herbert ran in two touchdowns while covering 79 yards on 13 carries. Gordon recorded 188 yards through the air on 15 of 34 attempts with Gardner having four for 60 yards and a score. Daniel Winning and Chad McClintic both had 10 tackles on the day for the Rams.

ESU will host undefeated Edinboro University (3-0) who defeat Tiffin University, 35-21, today next Saturday at 1:05 p.m. Shepherd will be off until October 5th at West Virginia Tech.