West Chester’s offense got into a “rhythm” early. After an incomplete pass and a two-yard gain, Sean McCartney hit Eddie Elliott with a 42-yard bomb. The next set of downs was a two-yard rush, an incomplete pass, followed by a 38-yard touchdown pass to Mike Doty. See the pattern?
The New Haven offensive game plan was brilliant. They looked at West Chester’s defensive statistics from last season and saw two 100 plus tackles at middle linebacker, so the offense consisted of quick out passes from the pistol formation where the wideouts could pick up nine yards on the cornerbacks who were playing off the line. And one broken tackle usually means a big gain in this situation. Regardless of the outcome – score, turnover or punt - West Chester’s possessions tended to be short (only one was over three minutes) while New Haven was more methodical. This led to a New Haven advantage of five minutes in time of possession and 30-16 in first downs. Okay, West Chester’s 11 penalties for 119 yards contributed six of those Charger first downs as well.
McCartney did not demonstrate the consistent high level of play that fans have come to expect. He often overthrew Doty and his other big target, tight end Tim Brown. Plus he lost a fumble and threw an interception (granted it was a great tip drill that the defender eventually caught while lying on his back). On the plus side, he did a great job of feeling the pressure, moving to buy extra time and completed some tough passes including four of at least 30 yards.
Special teams was clearly a difference. New Haven snapped the ball over the punter’s head with the 29 yard loss setting up the Golden Ram offense at the 8-yard line. And the Charger holder later bobbled a snap that cost them a PAT. After those two “routine” plays, West Chester fans gained further appreciation for long snapper Charley Kuklinski and Doty who provides the holding duties.
And then there were the big plays on special teams. Jeremy Irving blocked a New haven punt that Al-Hajj Shabazz recovered in the end zone. And in the fourth quarter, Shabazz got a blocked punt of his own. Meanwhile, Rich Bruno did all of the footwork for West Chester. Of his six kickoffs, three of them were touchbacks. None of his six punts were returned and four of them ended inside the Charger 20. And for good measure, he converted all five of his PATs sending the ball over the net and into the woods on four occasions.
As is so often in a trip to New Haven, it’s worth noting the officiating. West Chester fans were upset when it appeared New Haven was awarded a first down after only gaining five yards on a first and ten. It was actually second and three, so it was the correct call, but the chain gang was wrong (which is what led to West Chester’s dismay) and that’s ultimately the officials’ responsibility. Later in that same Charger offensive series, prior to the snap, they threw a flag to announce “no delay of game”. And a Charger fumble that was recovered by West Chester was negated by a “before the play” flag.
West Chester didn’t help themselves in the penalty department however. Tight end Shawn Driggins, who on two subsequent occasions had to be separated from the opponent, picked up a personal foul penalty. Doty got one for trying to protect his quarterback and clear the scrum after a fumble. Even head coach Bill Zwaan donated 15 yards to the New Haven offense. On New Haven’s go ahead touchdown late in the third quarter, over half of the 81 yards were due to West Chester penalties.
Trailing 30-28 late in the third quarter, West Chester found itself on a third and 15 after a sack. With the skies darkening, McCartney found Erick Brundidge for a 16-yard pickup. Brandon Monk then had his longest run of the day, an 11-yard pickup. Under a flash of lightning off in the distance, it was time for another big play, this time a 44-yard touchdown pass to Brundidge. Bruno’s PAT gave West Chester a 35-30 lead and the game then entered a second "intermission" as the stadium was cleared due to the weather.
The Golden Ram defense was the star of the fourth quarter. Shabazz made a great diving interception to end New Haven’s first drive of the frame. After a Mike Labor sack on New Haven’s second possession, Shabazz then blocked a punt, giving the Golden Rams possession at the Charger 21. This opportunity was squandered, however, as on second and goal from the five, there was some confusion by the Golden Ram offense and instead of calling timeout, the play was run and the ball was fumbled back to New Haven. The Chargers then consumed four and a half minutes of clock and dropped a fourth-down pass giving the ball back to the Golden Rams. West Chester failed to get a first down, but forced New Haven to burn their remaining time outs. Bruno’s ensuing punt pinned New Haven at their own 6 with 69 seconds left to play. After a couple of first downs, it was Drew Formica who forced and recovered a New Haven fumble to seal the West Chester victory.
Notes – Labor had a game-high 12 tackles including three tackles for loss…Formica logged 11 stops… DeOliver Davis and Byron Cooper started instead of Blaise Schieler and Kevin Malone…Davis played the first half, while Schieler played the second…Malone had an interception while Andrew Cohen notched a sack…Doty was West Chester’s leading receiver with five catches for 75 yards…Brown had three catches including a 31-yard touchdown…turnovers were even at three apiece.
West Chester Athletic Site - McCartney Throws 4 TDs; No. 10 West Chester Downs New Haven, 35-30
New Haven Athletic Site - No. 10/11 West Chester Holds off Chargers, 35-30, in Season Opener at DellaCamera Stadium
Daily Local News - Despite delay, WCU escapes with win
philly.com - McCartney leads West Chester to win over New Haven
New Haven Register - Opener a preview of things to come for UNH?
New Haven Register - New Haven drops opener to West Chester 35-30
The Courant - Sacred Heart Defeats Lafayette
The Charger Bulletin - No 10/11 West Chester Holds Off Chargers, 35-30, in Season Opener at DellaCamera Stadium
D2football - PSAC Columnist - Thoughts on Week 1 in the PSAC
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