Delaware converted two first quarter turnovers into 14 points and the subsequent kickoff was bobbled forcing the Rams to start at their own two-yard-line. Most people in the stands had felt they had seen this show last season. However, West Chester went on a 98-yard, six minute drive that ended with a Sean McCartney dive from four yards to close the score to 14-7. In that drive, White rushed for 41 yards and McCartney completed passes to four different receivers.
QB Sean McCartney fires a touchdown pass to LaRonn Lee (Photo Geoff Ruth)
On the Blue Hens next possession, Matt Carroll picked off a Trent Hurley pass giving the Golden Rams the ball at the Delaware 40 and the feel of this game definitely changed. Unfortunately, West Chester was unable to convert that opportunity into points. After a Blue Hen field goal and a West Chester punt, Delaware had the ball on their own 20 with 1:51 to play in the first half. Blue Hen QB Trent Hurley executed the two-minute drill to perfection and Delaware extended their lead to 24-7 at the half.
West Chester took the second half kickoff and marched 80 yards in just over four minutes to close the score to 24-14. Rondell White accounted for 70 yards on that drive which was capped off by a 10-yard Sean McCartney to LaRonn Lee pass. West Chester thwarted Delaware's apparent next touchdown when Ronell Williams picked off a Trent Hurley pass at the goal line. However, West Chester turned the ball back over almost immediately at midfield. The Golden Ram defense stiffened and held Delaware to a field goal, brining the score to 27-14 early in the fourth quarter. With the way that West Chester was moving the ball, the game was still within reach.
But another West Chester interception led to a one-play touchdown catch and run for the Blue Hens which stretched the lead to 34-14 essentially ending the contest. The two teams traded touchdowns leading to the final score of 41-21.
So as usual, the turnovers hurt the Rams. Three of four of them led to Delaware touchdowns. West Chester was fortunate to pick off three Blue Hen passes, stopping one apparent touchdown and leading to one for West Chester. The special teams gaffs were not catastrophic, but they were noticeable - a kickoff out of bounds and a fumbled kickoff return. But the Delaware kicker was able to launch his kicks high and to the two-yard-line, which allowed his team to get down field and cover the kicks very well. Between the kickoffs and the turnovers, Delaware's average starting field position was their own 42 while West Chester's was their own 20. Thus the Rams always seemed to be facing a long field in front of them.
Rondell White was certainly the player of the game for West Chester. The junior rolled up 209 yards rushing and 60 yards receiving, making Delaware's FCS All-American candidate Andrew Pierce's 86 yards look rather pedestrian. In fact, fans at Delaware stadium have never seen an opposing running back have a better game!!! As projected in the season preview, the coaches got White the ball in all sorts of ways - straight handoff, running the wildcat, lined up in the slot, and screen passes.
Rondell White had the best game ever by a visiting running back in Delaware Stadium (Photo Geoff Ruth)
The fourth concern entering the game which was not mentioned in the game preview (for obvious reasons) are injuries. And unfortunately, this one became a reality. First wide receiver Tom Shrader went down. Next it was starting right guard Blair Gower. Then it was starting quarterback Sean McCartney, starting linebacker Ronell Williams and starting right tackle Adam Citko. None of these five returned to the game. After head coach Bill Zwaan made the decision this past spring to name McCartney the starting quarterback, that decision might now be mute. Fortunately, Mike Mattei has plenty of experience and stepped right in.
Notes - Matt Carroll and Ronell Williams each tallied his first career interception...CB Bob Sabol had a pick and a pass breakup to go along with his seven total tackles...eight different Golden Rams caught passes including true freshman Eddie Elliott ...Justin Curry returned to tight end this season and picked up two catches...both teams ran 71 offensive plays...West Chester rushed 39 times for 224 yards to Delaware's 36 times for 177 yards...the Golden Rams won the time of possession battle by over six minutes...for the second year in a row, West Chester protected the quarterbacks and did not yield a sack to the Blue Hens...So QB Drew Loughery completed a pass in his first collegiate action.
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Drops Season Opener To Delaware
Delaware Athletic Site - Hurley Leads Aerial Attack as No. 15 Blue Hens Post Season-Opening 41-21 Victory Over West Chester
Daily Local News - WCU loses finale to Blue Hens, quarterback to ankle injury
Newark Post Online - Delaware wins series finale over West Chester
Delaware Online - Myers: Few clues in first victory
Delaware Online - End of UD-West Chester rivalry welcome for some
Delaware Online - Hens hang on, defeat West Chester
