October 24th, 2026 4:00pm
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — The ESU football team went back to its roots with an imposing rushing attack and suffocating defense to defeat Shepherd, 31-7, on Saturday afternoon at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
Junior QB Matt Machalik made his first career start for the Warriors, going 11-for-19 with a touchdown and an interception. When he looked down the field, his favorite target was fifth-year WR Elijah Ford. The veteran receiver finished with three catches for 54 yards, while fifth-year FB Matt Frame was a reliable checkdown as well, recording 30 yards on four receptions.
Frame and junior FB Luke Stevenosky made an impact today, paving paths for the Warriors' running backs as they gained 244 yards on the ground. Leading the way for ESU was fifth-year RB Deante Crawford, who came in as the team's closer and picked up 65 yards on 11 carries. Junior RB Cade Sawyer had two big plays that accounted for 51 of his 68 total yards, as he found the end zone for his eighth touchdown of the year.
The Rams never got going on offense, and it started with ESU winning the battle up front. Senior LB Mason Smith returned for the Warriors, leading the team with eight tackles and a solo TFL. Ball security was an issue all day for the Rams, as ESU forced three fumbles and recovered one. Junior DB Harold Hill IV forced the one that went the Warriors' way, while Smith and sophomore DB Cam Jefferson also knocked the ball loose once each. Through the air, junior DB Armonie Torres picked off his second pass of the season and made five tackles, and both starting cornerbacks, Hill IV and sophomore Leyden Hertz, had a pass breakup.
ESU forced three-and-outs on the Rams' first two drives, jumping out to a quick 10-0 lead. Senior WR Cade Christopher recorded his longest punt return of the season to start the game, running one back 43 yards to set the offense up on the 25-yard line. Though they got inside the 10-yard line, the Warriors took the points, as senior K Ty Quintois put a kick through the uprights from 21 yards out for the game's first points.
Shepherd struggled to start its second drive, losing 10 yards on second down after Jefferson stripped Ian Mauldin of the ball on a run up the middle that stayed with the Rams. Machalik and the Warriors worked their way down the field, picking up chunks of yards on passes to Ford and Frame. After Machalik was stopped short of the goal line on a bootleg, Sawyer broke through the line to put ESU in double digits.
The Rams started to drive as the clock carried over to the second quarter, getting into ESU territory. On a 4th and 4 from the ESU 33-yard line, Michael Hardyway completed a pass to Daryl Harper at the first down marker, but Hill IV punched it loose at the end of the play. Senior DL Ryan Epps recovered the ball at the 25-yard line, keeping Shepherd out of the red zone and off the scoreboard.
ESU's drive started with Machalik and Ford connecting on a rollout to the right sideline, with Ford just getting a foot in bounds to move the chains. Once the Warriors crossed midfield, Sawyer followed Stevenosky and the rest of his blockers all the way down to the two-yard line, setting up senior RB Ajani Walker for the score.