Golden Ram Football Club: Game Report - West Chester 31

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Game Report - West Chester 31 - Shippensburg 15

It was a tale of two halves as the Golden Rams completely dominated the first 30 minutes before reverting to the type of play that’s been exhibited for most of the season. In the end, they played well enough to hold on for a 31-15 victory.

In the first half, the West Chester defense held Shippensburg to just 73 yards, three first downs, 0 for 6 on third down, and no points. Meanwhile the Golden Ram offense rolled up 268 yards and 31 points. There were three factors that were critical entering the contest, and all three favored West Chester in the first half: turnovers (West Chester was +1); penalties (the Raiders were flagged 7 times for 60 yards to just 15 yards on two violations for West Chester); and special teams (Brendan Paulison converted a career long 42-yard field goal and West Chester recovered an onside kick in the final minute of play). Leading 31-0 at intermission, everyone felt rather comfortable.

Jarel Elder flips into the end zone (Photo Ron Hockman)

But it was the mistake riddled Golden Rams that returned from the locker room. On West Chester’s first possession, they drove to the Raider 17-yard line. But three penalties on five plays - a false start, a hold and a personal foul – forced a 41-yard field goal attempt which hit the left upright. Shippensburg took all of four plays and 72 seconds to go 76 yards for their first touchdown of the game.

John Dubyk and Kevin Duggan make a stop (Photo Ron Hockman)

Then in the fourth quarter with the score still 31-7 in favor of the Golden Rams, West Chester took over at their own 26. The offense consumed over six minutes of the clock, but it was all for naught as quarterback Pat Moriarty lost a fumble at the Shippensburg 2-yard line. The Raiders then drove 98 yards for a touchdown, converting two third downs along the way plus two fourth down conversions – the first a West Chester pass interference penalty in the end zone and the second a one-yard run for the score.

Ch'aim Smith stops a runner short of the goal line (Photo R&R Photography)

With quarterback Andrew Derr in street clothes, Moriarty played extremely well. He was 20 of 29 for 338 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. His only blemish was the goal line fumble and he took three sacks in the game. Jarel Elder had two touchdown runs and 173 all-purpose yards – 77 rushing, 22 on kick returns and 74 receiving including a 55-yard jaunt on a short swing pass. Wide receiver Tyler Karpinski had his usual seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

Tyler Karpinski with a leaping catch (Photo R&R Photography)

Defensively, linebacker Steven Denby had a game-high 11 tackles including an 8-yard sack. Defensive end Ch'aim Smith had eight tackles and shark Nydair Rouse had three pass breakups, including swatting one away in the end zone. Safety Kevin Malone had an interception that led to West Chester’s third touchdown of the game.

Nydair Rouse breaks up a pass in the end zone (Photo Ron Hockman)

Overall special teams had a good game. Paulison was 1 of 2 on field goals, perfect on four PAT’s, averaged 44 yards per punt, and kicked off deep and to the corner. Anthony Brown had 45 yards on four punt returns and the West Chester punt and kick coverage did a great job containing Shippensburg returns. Redshirt freshman quarterback Paul Dooley saw his first collegiate action running the wildcat and picking up 23 yards on three carries including a determined 17-yard first down run.

Simon Williams and Vince Lostracco open a hole for a score (Photo Ron Hockman)