Game Report - Kutztown 20 - West Chester 14

It’s actually rather remarkable. With how poorly the Golden Rams played in the continuous mist of Andre Reed Stadium, they were just 24 yards and 5 seconds away from tying the game. And since Kutztown had missed a PAT earlier in the game, a victory was oh so close. But when quarterback Andrew Derr was sacked for the fourth time in the contest, it was the Golden Bears that celebrated the 20-14 win.

West Chester’s first two offensive possessions started at midfield but resulted in no points. Despite converting on a fourth-and-three, the first drive stalled at the Kutztown one-yard line. The second possession ended much more quickly, with a Derr interception on the second play of the series. It was one of three picks that Derr threw on the evening. Although one clearly bounced but none of the officials could call it one way or another and succumbed to the convincing of the Kutztown defender, the other two were ill-advised passes into triple coverage.

In Derr’s defense, he was under constant pressure the entire game, often forced to scramble for whatever yards he could with no receivers open downfield. And he did toss two touchdown passes, the first a 40-yard bomb to Tyler Karpinski and the second a 10-yarder to Jim Hurley. The second was setup when Jarey Elder recovered a Kutztown muffed punt on their 11-yard line.

The West Chester defense gang tackles the Kutztown ball carrier
(Photo R&R Photography)

The Golden Ram defense kept Kutztown off the scoreboard except for the second quarter, but what a disastrous period it was. Kutztown scored on three consecutive possessions, the first two being quick-strike, long touchdown passes with the third being a 12-play, 75-yard drive that consumed almost five minutes. When Nydair Rouse blocked the PAT after the second touchdown, it kept that glimmer of hope for a late game winning Golden Ram win.

After West Chester narrowed the score to 20-14 early in the third quarter, the defense maintained the momentum by forcing a three-and-out. Anthony Brown’s 10-yard punt return was further aided by a facemask penalty, so the Golden Rams were starting at the Kutztown 48-yard line. But on the first play of that possession, Kutztown made the trap interception.

Later the offense showed new life with Eerin Young (3 carries, 18 yards) and Mike Class (4 carries, 27 yards). But a holding call and a sack setup fourth-and-long at the Kutztown 28. There were some questionable coaching moves in the game and this certainly was one of them. Kicker Brendan Paulison, whose career long field goal is from 37 yards, was sent out to attempt a 45-yarder into the wind. It fell short. Early in the fourth quarter, trailing by six, Paulison missed another 45-yard attempt. Another time when there was an opportunity to be aggressive, was with 24 seconds left in the first half, facing a fourth-and-two at the Kutztown 47, West Chester elected to punt rather than take a shot at scoring. And many were surprised that the Golden Rams also elected to punt on fourth down from their own 40-yard line with under two and a half minutes left in the contest.

Mike Class gains some tough yards(Photo R&R Photography)

Jarel Elder finished the game with 62 yards on the ground thanks in large part to a 23-yard run where he barreled his way over and through multiple defenders. One of the most enjoyable moments was when Elder laid a block on a Kutztown defensive lineman with a 100-pound advantage that allowed Derr to scramble for a first down. Jordan Banks had another big game with seven catches for 92 yards

Jarel Elder was the Golden Rams' leading rusher (Photo R&R Photography)

The Golden Ram defense failed to pressure the Kutztown freshman quarterback, registering no sacks or turnovers. Cornerback Shaquille James, who was one-on-one with Kutztown’s best receiver all night, had a team-high ten tackles. Linebacker Steven Denby, starting in place of injured Ralph Reeves, registered nine tackles while defensive end Ch'aim Smith and seven tackles and two pass breakups.

Notes - This is the earliest point in the season that West Chester has had three losses since 2010 when the team finished 4-7. Tight end Simon Williams had his first catch for West Chester. In addition to Reeves and Shannon Mayer not playing due to injury, West Chester lost left tackle Doug Gilbert and receiver Tyler Karpinski late in the game due to injuries.

Sortable Box Score    Coaches Box Score

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Falls to Kutztown, 20-14

Kutztown Athletic Site - Defense Makes Final Stand, Kutztown Takes Down Defensing PSAC East Champs Saturday Night

Daily Local News - Miscues hamper Golden Rams at Kutztown

Reading Eagle - Kutztown holds off West Chester

Allentown Morning Call - Williams, defense lead Kutztown past West Chester

KUTV - Game Replay

D2football - PSAC Columnist - News and Notes from Week 5 in the PSAC