Game Report - West Chester 59 - Seton Hill 14

#18 West Chester scored touchdowns on all six possessions in the first half and added a pick six by Jaishan Thornton to race out to a 49-7 lead en route to a 59-14 victory at Seton Hill. The Griffins had no answer for A.J. Long who threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 118 yards and two more scores.

The offensive line provided all sorts of time for Long, especially on a 44-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Price in the second quarter. Oftentimes, the biggest challenge that Long faced was deciding to which wide open receiver he should deliver the ball. He also showed great touch on two little swing passes to Mark Dukes that went for 61 and 55 yards, although the first one was called back due to a holding penalty. Meanwhile, the Golden Ram defense allowed just 180 yards in the first half, with Tyler Morrissey and Omar Peterkin each registering two tackles for loss during that time. Morrissey finished with a game-high nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

After halftime, under the hot sun and with the outcome of the game already decided, it's understandable, but still disappointing, how the team lost focus. On West Chester's opening drive, a probable touchdown pass slipped right through Jalik Smith's arms. On a 23-yard scramble, Long just lost the ball for no reason, but fortunately, Elijah Hall was there to recover it. And when the drive stalled, Andrew Chegia, who was perfect on eight PAT attempts, hooked a 38-yard field goal attempt wide left. On Seton Hill's ensuing drive, they opened with pass plays of 11 and 25 yards to quickly breach into Golden Ram territory. So there was definitely a momentum shift, until Morrissey and Ch'aim Smith teamed up on a ten-yard sack.

Highlights from the remainder of the game included great downfield blocking (as usual) from Lex Rosario on a Long touchdown run, an interception return of 48 yards by Shaquille James, a George Lambritsios 42-yard field goal, Thorton recovering a fumble when Seton Hill was inside the Golden Ram 10-yard line, Brendan Paulison's only punt of the game with twelve minutes left that went 59 yards without a return, and the Golden Ram reserves running out the final nine minutes of the clock with Trael Seegers finishing with 85 yards rushing. Other than that, the second half was marred by a slew of 15-yard penalties against West Chester as many of the reserves weren't able to maintain their composure under the circumstances.

Notes - This is the first time that West Chester has opened the season 3-0 since 2014 when they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

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West Chester Athletic Site - No. 18/22 West Chester Follows A.J. Long To Victory, 59-14

Seton Hill Athletic Site - Griffins Fall in Home Opener to West Chester