Spending most his time in the Rock backfield was defensive end Andrew Cohen who had a game high nine tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. Right behind him were three other members of the front seven - Ronell Williams with eight tackles, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble, Mike Labor with seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss and Shaquil Ryder with seven tackles and half of a sack. And Slippery Rock’s Harlon Hill candidate Shamar Greene was held to net 23 yards on 13 carries with a long run of 11 yards.
Actually Slippery Rock’s only touchdown prior to the outcome being decided came after a series of unfortunate events for West Chester. First rather than allowing a windswept punt to enter the end zone for a touchback, Brandon Monk elected to field the ball at the West Chester 6. To make the field position even worse, the Golden Rams committed a block in the back penalty, so the starting position was pushed back to the 5. After the offense gained just three yards, Rich Bruno managed only a 23-yard punt into the wind giving the Rock the ball at the West Chester 31. And the Rock had to convert a fourth down before they completed a 21-yard touchdown pass. In the first half, the Golden Ram defense forced the Rock into seven three-and-outs while another drive ended after just two plays on a Blaise Schieler interception.
Meanwhile the Rock defense that allowed less than 300 yards passing per game this season, gave up 328 yards and five touchdowns by Sean McCartney in the first half alone!!! Tight end Tim Brown had seven catches for 164 yards and touchdown catches of 33, 34 and 23 yards while Mike Doty hauled in five balls for 108 yards and a touchdown. While it was expected that the West Chester offense would be able to move the ball and score, few thought it would be so easy.
About the only thing that kept Golden Ram fans on edge were Bruno’s kicks. His first three PAT’s were way wide left and he was charged with two kick offs out of bounds, again to the left. What makes this troubling was that he missed three PAT’s last week at Indiana, again all wide to the left. Against the Rock, West Chester failed on their first two-point conversion attempt, converted the second on a McCartney to Erick Brundidge pass, before Bruno kicked the final two through.
What might be overlooked by McCartney’s fireworks and the overall Golden Ram defensive effort was the running game. The Rock entered the playoffs with the PSAC’s third best rushing defense, allowing only 87 yards per contest but West Chester pounded out a clock consuming 148 yards on the ground. Even if only Monk’s and Eddie Elliott’s number are considered, that is, prior to the reserves entering the game, they amount to 95 yards.
While penalties continued to be a problem – ten flags for 99 yards - McCartney was not sacked and West Chester did not turn the ball over. While the Rock finished the game with 158 total yards, well off their season average of 488, 99 of those came on their final two possessions which resulted in touchdowns against the Golden Ram reserves. Overall it was a dominating first-round effort with a lot of guys getting playing time.
West Chester Athletic Site - McCartney Throws For 405 Yards And Five TDs; Golden Rams Advance
Slippery Rock Athletic Site - Injuries prove costly for SRU in playoff loss at #15 WCU
Daily Local News - West Chester delivers statement win over Slippery Rock
D2football - PSAC Columnist - West Chester Advances to Second Round
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