MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville's 17-14 come-from-behind victory over Shippensburg Saturday wasn't about the last 22 years, the previous 17 games against the Raiders (all losses) or a win in front of a boisterous Homecoming crowd. It wasn't about Coach J.C. Morgan and the members of his staff that had spent years of their careers working at Shippensburg. The Marauders' win, according to Morgan, was another step in the right direction for a team that has now won three of its last four games. That team won Saturday by overcoming a 14-7 third quarter deficit, finishing with a scoring drive on its final possession, getting a stop and running out the clock. 

Millersville's last win over Shippensburg was in 2000, four years before Marauder freshman quarterback Robert Footman Jr., was born. Footman, now 3-1 as the team's primary quarterback, rushed for 127 yards including 75-yard touchdown scamper and threw for 192 yards, completing 11-of-19 passes. On the drive that set-up Christian Makanoeich's go-ahead field goal, Footman went 5-for-6 for 66 yards, converting three third downs while also rushing for 15 yards on three carries. It was a 14-play, 73-yard drive that chewed up more than six minutes of game clock. 

Then, the defense got the stop it needed. Aided by a KeShaun Jones sack that knocked Shippensburg from the Millersville 33 to the 45, and an all-out-effort pass breakup from safety Steve Sweeney on a deep shot to the end zone, the Marauders held when Jackson Montross' 53-yard field goal try fell short. 

"We know that Shippensburg is a solid program in this conference," said Morgan, who served as an assistant at Shippensburg for 13 years. "It's not about us beating Shippensburg. It's about us getting a win against a quality opponent. It's about us putting ourselves at the table of this very tough division. As I tell the guys, this program is not built on one person or one situation. We've still got work to do. We aren't done yet."

The Marauders' three recent victories include two wins by a total of nine points. Morgan sees it has as a team learning to finish wins after seeing three close games in the first four weeks result in losses. The Marauders' resolve was evident as they battled back from a red zone turnover in the first quarter and two 15-yard penalties that extended Shippensburg's two scoring drives. 

"It's a matter of us finding a way to win close games and close games out," said Morgan. "We had opportunities to do that earlier in the season, and did not find a way. Against a team that plays hard like Shippensburg, I'm really proud of our guys for doing that. At halftime, it felt like we had control for a good amount of the half but did some things to ourselves from pulling away. We were getting in our own way. What we ask of our young men is to keep fighting and keep playing, and they did that. That's how we know the tide is turning in our favor. Those were crippling moments for us in the past, and now, we are finding ways to get it done. I'm hard on the guys, but they are starting to see that it pays off when you stay the course."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• On Millersville's second drive of the game, Footman found a seam in the middle of the field and out-ran defenders for a 75-yard touchdown run--Millersville's longest rush since 2012. Footman connected with Mekhi Alexander for 55 yards on the first drive of the second quarter, but from the 9-yard line, an exchange between Footman and the running back went awry, and Shippensburg fell on the fumble. 
• Shippensburg evened the score in the closing minute of the first half as Khalid Dorsey scored on a two-yard run, capping a seven-play, 83-yard drive. On the third play of the drive, Gus Ross picked off an Evan Falco pass attempt, but it was overturned on a roughing the passer flag. Shippensburg received the opening kickoff of the third quarter, and helped by a pair of 15-yard penalties on Millersville, drove 64 yards in five minutes for a 14-7 lead. 
• The Marauders answered on the very next possession. Footman scrambled for 13 yards on a third-and-11 conversion, and Millersville got some help with a roughing the passer call on a third-and-three from the Shippensburg 9. With a new set of downs, Millersville went to the ground on four-straight snaps. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Marcus Pierce Jr., slashed in for the game-tying score. 
• Both teams saw just two possessions in the fourth quarter. Shippensburg's first drive reached the Millersville 39, but Conner Snyder and Rafael Lozada dumped Falco for a loss of nine on third down forcing a punt. Millersville took over on their own 14 with 12:15 to play, and Footman piloted the team into field goal range, using three catches from Alexander, including a leaping grab on the sideline for 27 yards. On the snap before, Christan Drayton III also made a sliding grab on a third-and-12 from the Millersville 34. The drive stalled on the Shippensburg 13, but Makanoeich improved to 4-for-5 on field goal tries with a 29-yard to take the lead. 
• Shippensburg's final drive started at their own 43 following a 28-yard kick return and needed just one play to reach Millersville territory. Jones' sack on first-and-10 put the Raiders off-schedule, and they picked up just nine more yards before the missed field goal try. Millersville needed a first down to run out the clock. After a pair of Jaheim Morris runs, Footman took a play-action bootleg outside for a gain of four--just enough to move the chains, allowing Millersville to drain the clock. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Both teams finished with 15 first downs, but Millersville out-gained the Raiders 361-239. 
• Morris rushed 16 times for 54 yards while Footman ran for a career-high 127, giving Millersville its second 100-yard rusher of the season. 
• Alexander caught six passes for a career-high 124 yards. It was his second 100-yard game of the season. He has now caught three passes over 50 yards this season. 
• Lozada led Millersville with nine tackles, one tackle for loss and a half-sack. Snyder recorded two TFL to go with seven tackles. Jones made 2 1/2 TFL. Tyler Tate, Garrett Cox and Hez Faison also recorded sacks, giving Millersville a season-high five. 
• Millersville now has three PSAC East wins for the second time since 2006. 

MORE FROM COACH J.C. MORGAN
•  On continuing to progress as a team: "I know the guys itching for a day off, but the formula can't change. We will watch the film tomorrow, analyze how we will get better, get out of the field and move around. We've got a very good opponent coming in next week and we have to get ready for that game. For us to get to where we want to go we have to put in 11 solid weeks. We've had some recent quality performances but where we are trying to go we have to keep focus on the next opponent."
•  On Footman's play: "He's naturally athletic and was finding ways to make plays. He's just scratching the surface. I'm sure he will tell you he has a lot to learn and a lot of developing to do. You can see that he is finding ways to get it done. He's a winner. We saw that in him over the last couple of years. He's doing the same stuff on our field."
•  On confidence in Makanoeich: "He's been delivering all year. Rob made a couple throws. Mekhi made a catch on the sideline. Play after play we found a way to step up and give Christian a chance to deliver. His confidence is up. He's extended his range. We had no reservation going to him."

UP NEXT
• Millersville plays its final home game of 2022 on Saturday, Oct. 29 against Kutztown. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.