The 2014 offense was the best in school history, but that squad had a lot of experience all around. With the 2015 offense being so young, it wasn't unreasonable to expect some growing pains. Despite the youth movement, the Golden Rams finished sixth in the PSAC in rushing, sixth in passing, and eighth in total offense. In the three losses in which West Chester was dominated - Lenoir-Rhyne, Shippensburg and Slippery Rock - the Golden Rams had 11 turnovers. In contrast, they only had 12 in the other eight games during the season. West Chester did manage to convert 43% of their third downs which was good for third in the PSAC.
Offensive Line
Junior left tackle Doug Gilbert was the most experienced linemen coming into the season and was awarded first team All-PSAC honors for the second year in a row. He was joined by sophomore right guard Tyler Drob as a first team honoree in his first season as a starter. The two were also named first team All-ECAC and second team All-Super Region One by Dan Hansen Football Gazette. Sophomore center Devan LaBau did a fine job, and when he was hampered by injury, was spelled by redshirt freshman Connor Walsh. Sophomores Vince Lostracco and Michael Unger completed the starting front five. Sophomore Evyn Stadulis also saw action in every game this year, getting one start at tackle.
Sophomore Alex Host and redshirt freshmen Eric Morrison and Jake Duncan also saw the field in several games this season. Tight end Shawn Driggins made six starts and was mainly used as a blocker this season. Overall, the entire offensive line only allowed 17 sacks this season which was good for 44th in the country at 1.55 sacks per game.
Quarterback
With the graduation of Harlon Hill finalist Sean McCartney and the unexpected unavailability of Andrew Derr, the quarterback job fell to sophomore Pat Moriarty. As could be reasonably expected, the results were somewhat inconsistent. His first two plays of 2015 were indicative of that fact. His first pass was a five-yard completion to Adam Dempsey while the second was an interception that later led to a Lenoir-Rhyne touchdown. The following week at Mercyhurst, Moriarty was 8 of 13, 212 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half. Then in the second half, in a heavy rain, there was a lull: 1 of 8 for 7 yards and 1 interception. Until the final drive when he was 3 of 6 for 54 yards to get the team in position for a potential game winning field goal.
He sparkled against Kutztown - 30 of 40, 75.0%, 437 yards, 5 TD's - and was named ECAC Offensive Player of the Week. But struggled the following week at Shippensburg - 19 of 38, 50.0%, 244 yards, 1 TD, 3 int's. Another great performance against East Stroudsburg captured the division championship for the Golden Rams. Moriarty's season totals - 197 of 355, 55.5%, 2,655 yards, 28 TD, 13 int's - placed him in the upper half of the PSAC among quarterbacks.
Junior signal caller Alec Werner didn't see too much action and finished the season 20 of 38, 52.6%, 241 yards, 1 TD, 1 int. His most significant performance came at Shippensburg when he was inserted to give the scuffling offense a spark, which he appeared to do when he went 5 of 9 for 43 yards. But none of his three series of downs ended with points and Moriarty finished the game.
Wide Receiver
Unlike 2014 when just three players accounted for two-thirds of the receiving yards, this year's team had nine players with at least nine receptions and 100 yards. It was a tough season for senior tight end Tim Brown who missed the first two games as his eligibility was getting sorted out by the NCAA and the last two games due to an injury. But despite playing just seven games, he led the Golden Rams with 33 catches for 44 yards and 5 TD's and was named first team All-PSAC East and second team All-Super Region One by Dan Hansen Football Gazette.
Seniors Eddie Elliott (30 catches, 429 yards, 2 TD's)
and Adam Dempsey (28 catches, 345 yards, 1 TD) had at least one catch in every game they played. Elliott also had 243 yards and two touchdowns rushing and was named second team All-PSAC East.
Juniors Jim Hurley (24 catches, 442 yards, 5 TD's) and Shannon Mayer (17 catches, 319 yards, 5 TD's) had an increased role this season. A.J. DePietro (9 catches, 172 yards, 4 TD's) looked to be a favorite target after he made two touchdown catches in the opener against Lenoir-Rhyne.
Sophomore transfer Tyler Karpinski (25 catches, 310 yards, 3 TD's) made a significant contribution in his first season in purple and gold.
Running Back
For the first time since 2011, the Golden Rams did not have a 1,000 yard rusher, but with the sixth-best rushing team in the PSAC averaging 171 yards per game, they were certainly getting it done. Speedy sophomore Jarel Elder (119 carries, 561 yards, 5 TD's) and senior Brandon Monk (115 carries, 546 yards, 5 TD's) had nearly identical numbers on the season. Both played a part in the passing game with Elder making 20 catches for 163 yards and 1 TD and Monk snaring 10 balls for 100 yards. Each was awarded PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week, Elder after Seton Hill and Monk after East Stroudsburg. Monk also received first team All-PSAC East and honorable mention All-ECAC honors.
Sophomore transfer Eerin Young (29 carries, 243 yards, 2 TD's) and redshirt freshman Mike Class (33 carries, 149 yards) certainly showed what they can do when given the opportunity. Sophomore Anthony Brown (9 carries, 37 yards, 1 TD) also provided reliable hands in the punt return game.
Tim Brown with a touchdown against Bloomsburg (Photo Bert Garbutt)
Eddie Elliott brings down a TD against East Stroudsburg (Photo Ron Hockman)
Adam Dempsey makes a catch along the sideline (Photo Bert Garbutt)
Jim Hurley turns up field after a catch (Photo Ron Hockman)
Shannon Mayer had 5 TD's this season (Photo Bert Garbutt)
A.J. DePietro scores against Slippery Rock (Photo Ron Hockman)
Tyler Karpinski had 25 catches this season (Photo Ron Hockman)
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