QB Paul Dooley takes a forearm to the face (Photo Ron Hockman)While it took the Golden Ram offense a while to get started, they eventually were able to move the ball effectively both through the air and on the ground. When not picking up a blitzing pass rush, senior Jarel Elder rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Paul Dooley threw for 261 yards and three scores and picked up 40 yards on the ground, although he did lose a fumble. Receivers Rasheem James (7 catches for 95 yards and 2 TD’s) and Tyler Karpinski (5 catches for 107 yards and 1 TD) had stellar receiving days. But every time that the Golden Rams closed the gap, the Rock would quickly answer.
Tyler Karpinski makes a guy miss on his way to the end zone (Photo Ron Hockman)Slippery Rock got big games from their marque players. Wide receiver Marcus Johnson scored on a 96-yard kickoff return, a 47-yard punt return and a 37-yard reception. Fellow wideout Milly Raye (5 catches for 136 yards and 2 TD’s) scored on receptions of 90 and 23 yards and redshirt freshman Chacar Berry scored on a 43-yard run. Meanwhile their All-American defensive end Marcus Martin registered four quarterback hurries and 3.5 sacks among his seven tackles.
Shaq James wrestles the ball away for an interception (Photo Ron Hockman)Defensively, sometimes West Chester’s tackling was poor while other times they weren’t even able to get a hand on the Rock ball carrier. Slippery Rock was 10 of 14 on third down conversions. That being said, Jordan Burney recovered a fumble, while Shaquille James and Jarey Elder each had interceptions. All three turnovers resulted in Golden Ram touchdowns. Linebacker Tyler Morrissey had a team-high ten tackles while defensive end George Shipp notched West Chester’s only sack among his seven stops.
Jarey Elder had big return after this interception (Photo Ron Hockman)The Golden Rams were out of sync on both sides of the ball. The offense took a couple of delay of game penalties and burned a timeout to spare a third penalty. And once when the Rock faced a second and long, West Chester appropriately used the nickel defensive package. After an incomplete pass, many of the players felt their job was done and it was time to return a punt. But since it was only third down, the Golden Rams spent a time out to sort out the personnel confusion. Overall, it was a gutsy performance for the Golden Rams as they erased a 21-point, third quarter deficit to tie the game at 42 with less than seven minutes to play. But as they did all game long, the Rock used a third down conversion, a West Chester penalty and some poor Golden Rams tackling for yet another big play touchdown.
Jarel Elder breaks through the line for one of several big gainsWest Chester lost wide receiver Jordan Banks (left hand), receiver Elijah Hall (right hand) and defensive back Isaiah Cruz (right foot) to what appeared to be serious, game-ending injuries.
West Chester Athletic Site - Two Comebacks Not Enough For No. 24/25 West Chester
Slippery Rock Athletic Site - Rock edges #24 West Chester, 49-42
The Quad - Football at .500 after two games
the rocket - Rock knocks off no. 24 West Chester
ESPN3 - Game Replay
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