Kutztown took their first possession and drove 71 yards in 12 plays to take an early 7-0 lead. Running back Curtis Wortham accounted for 57 of those yards including the 11-yard scoring run.
West Chester responded with a 75-yard scoring drive keyed by two Mattei to Jim Kelly passes. On a third and 10, they connected for a 24-yard gain and then after a WCU holding penalty, Mattei scrambled and found a wide open Kelly for the 29-yard touchdown.
Both defenses tightened - West Chester forced a Kutztown punt and Kutztown forced West Chester into Shawn Leo 48-yard field goal. The Rams stopped the next Kutztown drive when linebacker Ronell Williams picked off a pass and returned it 29 yards to midfield. Coach Bill Zwaan picked up a 15-yard penalty, which seemed to ignite the Rams' offense. Mattei completed passes to Rondell White, Kelly, LaRonn Lee and Erick Brundidge to move the ball to the one where White plunged into the end zone to extend West Chester's lead to ten. Kutztown moved the ball 50 yards, but their 43-yard field goal attempt went wide left and the score remained 17-7 at the half.
For the second consecutive week, West Chester's opponent took the opening kickoff of the second half and returned it up the right sideline for a touchdown, closing the game to 17-14. After a West Chester punt, momentum really seemed to flow Kutztown's way when they converted a gutsy fake punt call from their own 29-yard line. But the Ram defense stiffened again and West Chester got the ball on their own 21.
Much like last week, Mattei connected with Brundidge a long pass, this one 47 yards to the Kutztown 32. A few plays later, Mattei found Adam Dempsey who bounced off three Kutztown defenders and picked up a huge block from Kelly as he scampered 38 yards into the end zone.
Adam Dempsey bounces off tacklers for his first collegiate touchdown (Photo Geoff Ruth)On Kutztown's next possession, deep in their own territory, defensive end Eric Edwers batted down a Kutztown pass, but landed on his head. After several minutes of laying on his back motionless, he was removed on a gurney by medical personnel. Two plays later, Matt Carroll sacked the Kutztown quarterback and forced a fumble which freshman defensive tackle Andrew Cohen picked up and strolled into the endzone.
Andrew Cohen celebrates his fumble return for touchdown (Photo Geoff Ruth)Down 31-14 late in the third quarter, Kutztown abandoned their run game and marched down the field with several short passes. The drive ended with a 41-yard Golden Bear field goal. Mattei went back to work, hooking up with Lee for 20 and 23 yards and Sean Beahan for 7 yards before White got his second rushing touchdown of the game. The Golden Ram defense forced a three-and-out and Brandon Monk showed once again how electric he can be with a 47-yard punt return during which he made several Kutztown would be tacklers miss. White's third touchdown run extended the lead to 45-17. Al-Haj Shabazz intercepted a Kutztown pass in the end zone, ending any chance of a comeback by the Bears.
Notes - Statistically this was a very even game with three notable exceptions 1. Kutztown turned the ball over three times and West Chester didn't turn it over at all. 2. West Chester was 9 of 14 on third down while West Chester's defense held Kutztown to 4 of 17 in that category. 3. West Chester was 4 of 4 in the red zone, with all four conversions being touchdowns while Kutztown was 1 of 3...former quarterback now rover Matt Carroll saw action in the wildcat...late in the fourth quarter, punter Rich Bruno had his kick partially blocked although it rolled forward for a 15-yard punt...in addition to his 29-yard interception return, Williams also has 12 total tackles...Kelly had a total of five catches for his first 100-yard receiving game... Anthony McCloskey had five total tackles including 2.5 for loss and a QB hurry... Mike Labor had 10 total tackles...Leo remains perfect on his 20 PAT attempts this season.
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Topples Kutztown On The Road, 45-24
Kutztown Athletic Site - Golden Rams Oust Kutztown, 45-24
Daily Local News - Despite anxious moment, West Chester rolls
Reading Eagle - West Chester adds insult to injury for struggling Golden Bears
Bert Garbutt - Photo Collage
9/24 Update Mike Kern sites QB Mike Mattei as Local Player of the Weekend
Mike Kern: Daily News Sports Writer - College Football Wrapup
