There's no better way to describe the Golden Rams 2016 opener in Waltham, MA as they overcame a ten-point fourth quarter deficit to win 31-24.
The game certainly had an ominous opening. A deep Connor Foley kickoff was squandered as Bentley returned it 45 yards and the Golden Rams committed a personal foul, giving the Falcons possession at the West Chester 38. But the defense held and forced a Bentley field goal attempt which went wide. West Chester's first possession of the season lasted five plays and culminated in a Pat Moriarty interception which was returned to the West Chester 26. On the play, the receiver never turned around, which was indicative of the miscommunication in the passing game that lasted most of the game regardless of who was under center.
Andrew Derr completed a 47-yard pass to Jim Hurley, who's rarely on the field unless he's a target, to get to the two-yard line. Unfortunately Hurley was injured on the play and did not return. Two plays later, the 215 lb Derr bullied his way into the end zone to give West Chester a 7-3 lead.
Bentley also rotated quarterbacks, as Rhode Island transfer Mack Lowrie led the Falcons on a 74-yard drive and the Falcons took the lead back 10-7. When West Chester's subsequent drive stalled, punter Brendan Paulison pinned the Falcons at their own 8-yard line. But Bentley ripped a 92-yard run on their first play from scrimmage and expand their lead to 17-7.
Another special teams miscue, a block in the back on the kick return, pinned West Chester deep in their own territory. A three-and-out gave Bentley the ball at midfield. They were driving when Lowrie scrambled and got hammered forcing a fumble which was recovered by Kevin Duggan at the West Chester 19. Lowrie would not return to the game. West Chester went on a 70-yard drive capped by a Moriarty to Tyler Karpinski 11-yard touchdown. It would be Moriarty's only completion of the day. West Chester entered the half trailing 17-14.
One of the most entertaining moments of the game came during the Falcon's first possession of the third quarter. On a second and ten, prior to the snap, the Bentley coaching staff yelled to their running back to get #45 (Duggan) on an obvious linebacker blitz. He fulfilled his duty, but no one accounted for Nydair Rouse who was also blitzing and sacked the quarterback for a 7-yard loss. Later in the period, another Moriarty interception not only ended a West Chester possession, it also ended his day.
Trailing 24-14 late in the third quarter, Derr and Shannon Mayer engineered the comeback. The drive went for 63 yards, with 54 coming on four passes between the two including the 8-yard touchdown completion. Mayer finished with 7 catches for 72 yards for the game. The West Chester defense made short work of the next Bentley possession and Derr went back to work. A 32-yard completion to Marcus Sydnor and a 24-yard run of his own set up a 29-yard Paulison field goal to knot the score at 24 with eight minutes remaining.
Although West Chester seemingly had momentum, another penalty on the kickoff return gave Bentley the ball at midfield. The two teams traded three-and-outs. With Bentley operating from their own 34, defensive end John Dubyk deflected a pass that Rouse plucked from the air and returned for the winning score.
With under a minute left in the game, Paulison had a chance to seal the game, but his 32-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. The Golden Ram defense made the final stand, preserving the West Chester victory.
The Golden Rams opened the season with a win over Bentley (Photo Joe Walsh) Notes - Kyle Keyser and Shaquille James each had seven total tackles to lead the West Chester defense, despite both of them battling injuries throughout the contest...Jarel Elder quietly piled up 102 yards rushing...defensive end George Shipp suffered an injury early in the game and did not return...Rouse had five tackles to go along with his sack and pick-six...among the players making their Golden Rams' debut were defensive end Joe DeSanto, defensive back Jarey Elder, tight end Simon Williams, true freshman tight end Cody Boozel, tight end Tyler Higgins, special teamer Brandon Kuntz, and defensive lineman and long snapper Shane Griffin.
West Chester Athletic Site - Rouse To The Rescue In West Chester Season Opener, 31-24
Bentley Athletic Site - West Chester Rallies in 4th to Overtake Bentley, 31-24; McDonald Intercepts 2 Passes for Falcons
D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Goes 10-2 in Out of Conference Action
D2football - NE10 Columnist - Week 1 Thoughts
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