Game Report - Slippery Rock 36 - West Chester 28

Generally when a team outgains its opponent by more than 150 yards, runs 50% more offensive plays, earns 50% more first downs, and owns nearly a 2-to-1 margin in time of possession but still manages to come out on the short end of the scoreboard, usually penalties or turnovers are to blame. But in West Chester’s 36-28 loss to Slippery Rock in steamy Farrell Stadium, both penalties and turnovers, especially at crucial points in the game and on critical areas of the field, proved costly. Except for two long drives and one big play, the Golden Ram defense played very well, forcing seven Rock three-and-outs and two turnovers.

The first major miscue was when Andrew Derr’s pass got jarred from Jordan Banks at the West Chester 34. The ball was snatched out of the air by a Rock defender and returned to the Golden Ram two, setting up an easy Slippery Rock touchdown.

Later in the period, Derr completed a 25-yard pass to Shannon Mayer down to the Rock 17-yard line, but the play was negated by an illegal formation penalty. The offense was able to overcome the mistake and took a brief 7-6 lead.

Shannon Mayer with WCU's first score (Photo Ron Hockman)

Then, early in the second quarter, trailing 12-7, Jarel Elder’s kick return made it only to the 18, but the offense started at its own nine after an Anthony Brown personal foul penalty during the return. Later in the period, Derr’s second interception came on the second play of the possession, forcing the Golden Ram defense to unexpectedly return to the field. A 46-yard run compounded by another WCU personal foul penalty gave the Rock a first and goal, but the West Chester defense held Slippery Rock to just a field goal.

On the ensuing kickoff, Brown returned the ball to just the eight-yard line, but a penalty during the return took the Golden Rams back half the distance to the goal. A short drive followed by a short punt gave the Rock possession at midfield. They needed only 78 seconds to extend the lead to 22-7.

With over four minutes left in the half, the Golden Ram offense had time to get downfield to narrow the gap. Derr moved drove the ball down to the Rock 15, but threw his third interception of the game at the Rock four-yard line with 20 seconds left, sending the teams to the locker room with West Chester down 15.

One of Slippery Rock's three interceptions (Photo Ron Hockman)

The West Chester offense opened the second half in midseason form. Derr had a 32-yard completion to Mayer followed by a 16-yard run of his own. But his 17-yard completion to Tyler Karpinski only got to the two, setting up the dreaded short yardage situation. A fourth-and-one earlier in the game proved unsuccessful, and this time it required all four downs until Derr was able to cross the goal line. It took nine plays and over four minutes, but West Chester narrowed the score to 22-14.

But that only lasted until the Rock’s next possession, which took one play and 21 seconds for them to navigate a 56-yard pass play and quickly extend the score to 29-14.

Later in the third, Derr completed a 32-yard strike to Karpinski to get to the Rock 18. But the play was negated by a holding call. That’s 42 yards that would have to be made up. But a false start penalty followed by a sack made the distance insurmountable and forced the Golden Rams to punt from their own 32.

Penalties played a huge role in the loss (Photo Ron Hockman)

Late in the third quarter, redshirt freshman Deionte Wilson, filling in for the injured Kevin Malone, made an immediate impact by picking off a Slippery Rock pass. West Chester’s ensuing drive went 62 yards in eight plays and culminated with a Derr to Mayer touchdown pass. However, Rock took less than three minutes to regain their 15-point margin, 36-21.

Needing two touchdowns, the West Chester offense stalled in the red zone. But the defense forced a quick three-and-out, giving the O another chance. With a shorter field, Derr used passes to Karpinski, Brown and capped the drive with a touchdown to Banks, his first career score. The Rock lead was eight with just over two minutes to play.

Jordan Banks with his first touchdown (Photo Ron Hockman)

The ensuing onsides kick failed, but three plays later, Kavon Johnson ripped the ball from the Rock runner and Kevin Duggan landed on it at the West Chester 23. One last shot. But it was not to be as the offense could only get to midfield to end the game.

Kevin Duggan recovers a Rock fumble (Photo Ron Hockman)

Lost in the frustration was another great game by Mayer. The senior had nine catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns despite fighting an apparent hamstring issue. Eerin Young had six receptions for 74 yards. And sophomore Brandon Kuntz had his first collegiate reception, a 15 yarder.

The defense was led by Ch'aim Smith who had 11 tackles including 2.5 for loss, a quarterback hurry and blocked a PAT. Besides the forced fumble, Johnson had six tackles. Defensive tackle Josh Ganzelli and linebacker Ralph Reeves each had five stops.

Ch'aim Smith and John Dubyk pressure the Rock quarterback
(Photo Ron Hockman)

So the difference between the teams in turnovers (-1) and penalty yards (+12) wasn’t significant, but the timing and location certainly influenced the outcome of the game.

Sortable Box Score    Coaches Box Score

West Chester Athletic Site - No. 12 Slippery Rock Too Much For West Chester, 36-28

Slippery Rock Athletic Site - Rock duo set records in 36-28 win at WCU

post-gazette.com - District football roundup

D2football - PSAC Columnist - West Division Dominates PSAC in Week 2

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