MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Another slow start and key mistakes doomed the Gannon football team Saturday afternoon. In the end, it was a late touchdown that pushed Millersville past Gannon 29-26 in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contest.

For the second consecutive game, Gannon came out of the gates lethargic and found itself trailing at the half. Last week, the Golden Knights trailed 19-0 before rallying for a 22-19 victory. This week, the squad fell behind 14-0 at the intermission.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Millersville found the endzone twice in the second frame. The Marauders drove 74 yards on six plays during their first possession of the quarter to assume a 7-0 lead. The PSAC Eastern Division club converted two third-down plays on the drive. The first one came on a Gannon pass interference and the second came on a 19-yard pass play. Bill Shirk's 37-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Smith with 12:31 left in the half capped the drive.

Later in the half, Millersville went back to the air. Shirk drove the Marauders 83 yards on five pass completions. The final connection was a nine-yarder to Greg Frantz that found paydirt with 4:33 showing on the clock.

Gannon's only offensive threat in the first half came during its final possession. The Golden Knights drove to the Millersville 15-yard line, but were stopped on fourth-and-one while trying to run an option play left with 2:10 left in the half.

In all, the first 30 minutes were dominated by the home team. Millersville produced sizable advantages in total yards (215-79), passing yards (214-60), first downs (11-5) and time of possession (15:51-14:09).

It was almost deja vu in the second half. One week after completely dominating Shippensburg in the second half, Gannon started to pour it on after the intermission against Millersville.

Gannon quickly cut the deficit in half, scoring on its first possession of the third quarter. Zach Boedicker (Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia) hooked up with Geoff Hicks (Buffalo, N.Y./Cleveland Hill) on a 46-yard reception on the first play of the half. Tyler Batts (Homestead, Pa./Penn-Trafford) accounted for the final 16 yards of the drive, scoring on a three-yard run 1:49 into the third quarter.

Millersville missed a 45-yard field goal on its next possession, before Gannon responded with another scoring drive. Batts gained 18 rushing yards on the drive's first four plays. In the end, it was a 26-yard touchdown pass from Boedicker to Evan Twombly (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) that pulled Gannon within 14-13 at the 4:13 mark of the third-quarter clock. Unfortunately, Gannon missed the extra point which would eventually prove to be a critical mistake.

The Gannon defense then forced a three-and-out, before the Golden Knights converted a third consecutive possession. Head coach Jim Kiernan's squad picked up three first downs. Boedicker then broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown run, giving the Golden Knights a 20-14 lead as time ran out in the third quarter.

The lead exchanged hands three times in the final stanza. After four unsuccessful second-half drives, Millersville needed only one play to regain the lead. Shirk found Smith streaking down the right sideline for a 75-yard touchdown pass with 9:19 left in regulation, putting the Marauders back in front 21-20.

Gannon answered with a 42-yard touchdown run by Boedicker with 3:43 remaining. The Golden Knights were forced to go for a two-point conversion because of the earlier missed extra point, but failed to convert in addition to an illegal shift penalty. The result was a 26-21 Gannon lead.

Millersville regained possession at its 18-yard line with 3:35 to play. Shirk completed five passes and ran twice as the Marauders drove 82 yards for the winning score. The back-breaker came when Shirk completed a 30-yard pass to running back Mike Jones on a fourth-and-18 play. Jones was tripled covered, but the two linebackers in front had their backs turned to the play and never saw the pass coming in. The completion took Millersville to the Gannon 17-yard line. Four plays later, Shirk scored on a one-yard keeper with 1:06 showing on the clock. The ensuing two-point conversion provided the final 29-26 score.

Gannon had one last chance from its 34-yard line, but three incomplete passes and a sack end the Golden Knights' hopes.

Gannon made the statistics page more interesting with a solid second half. Millersville finished with the edge in total yards (441-380) and passing yards (423-186). The Golden Knights led in rushing yards (194-18), first downs (19-17) and time of possession (30:46-29:14).

Batts led the ground attack with his second career 100-yard performance, producing a career-high 107 yards and one touchdown on a career-high 27 carries. The senior tailback had rushed for 120 yards in the first two games, before rolling off 107 yards Saturday afternoon.

Boedicker was 11-of-24 for 186 yards and one touchdown through the air. The senior quarterback added 85 yards and two scores on the ground. He threw two interceptions after throwing none in the first two contests.

Four receivers had two catches each. Smith was the story of the game for Millersville, hauling in eight receptions for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Shirk finished 25-of-39 for 423 yards and three scores.

Matthew Neal-Mink (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) and Parris Williams (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) headlined the Gannon defensive unit with eight tackles each. Both also recorded two tackles for a loss.

Gannon dropped to 2-1 with its first setback of the season. Saturday's loss also ended a six-game overall win streak and three-game road win streak dating back to last season. Millersville improved to 2-1. The Golden Knights conclude a three-game road swing Saturday, September 25 at 22nd-ranked Edinboro. Game time for the Fighting Scots' Homecoming Game is scheduled for 2 p.m.

For a complete box score from Saturday's Gannon-Millersville football game, please click here.