Anyone who has followed the Golden Rams this season has witnessed the cracks – the inconsistent ability to run the ball, allowing opponents to cash in on big plays, the overreliance on the quarterback’s legs, the inability to score in the fourth quarter. It was easy for them to get brushed off, after all the team was 10-0, playing the likes of Bentley and Seton Hill and Lock Haven. Well Saturday New Haven exposed every one of those faults and, as a result, West Chester wasn’t able to escape with a win.
Sterlen Barr made the tackle on the opening kickoff (Photo Ron Hockman)At halftime, the Golden Rams offense had just one net yard rushing. New Haven executed eleven plays of 15 or more yards with many of them occurring at inopportune times for West Chester. And yet, the Golden Rams miraculously entered the fourth quarter with a 28-21 lead. Tight end Dan Neuhaus and receiver Lex Rosario both hauled in first quarter touchdown passes from A.J. Long. And Long and Mike Class each ran one in during the third quarter. But the inability to move the ball on the ground – New Haven had eight tackles for loss - forced the Golden Rams to open the final frame with a punt.
Dan Neuhaus hauls in a first quarter touchdown (Photo Ron Hockman)The backbreaker occurred when the Chargers parlayed a short, fourth-down hitch pass into a 48-yard touchdown. Even though it only tied the score at 28 and there were eleven minutes left, there was clearly some doubt on the home sideline. On West Chester’s next possession, Long scrambled to convert a third-and-seven, but was seriously injured on the play. He was helped off the field with an apparent hip injury. With backup quarterback Paul Dooley not dressed for the game, in stepped redshirt freshman Mike Piperno. Now Piperno started and played fairly well at East Stroudsburg, but this was not an East Stroudsburg defense that he was facing. And other than Class’s 27-yard touchdown run and anything A.J. Long, this was a Golden Ram running game that managed just 28 yards through three quarters.
Eli Hall's over the shoulder catch set up WCU's second score (Photo Ron Hockman)After Brendan Paulison’s fifth punt of the game, New Haven executed a couple of more big plays – a 23-yard quarterback scramble and a 33-yard pass – which setup the go ahead score. While the Golden Rams managed one first down on the ensuing possession, the drive stalled at the New Haven 46-yard line to end the season.
A.J. Long battles his way to the end zone (Photo Ron Hockman)Ironically, the Golden Ram defense forced five New Haven punts, and four of those came on three-and-out possessions. Defensive end Diquan Gilbert had two clean sacks and was credited for third when New Haven was flagged for intentional grounding. Ch'aim Smith also was awarded a sack on an intentional grounding call. Four sacks in one game, when New Haven had surrendered just three all season. But on the flip side, the Chargers rolled up 141 yards on the ground split fairly evenly between their two running backs. Coming into the game, West Chester allowed an average of just 60 rushing yards per game.
Diquon Gilbert envelopes the New Haven QB (Photo Ron Hockman)This 2018 Golden Rams team finished the regular season a perfect 10-0, captured a share of the PSAC East title for the second year in a row, won the overall PSAC championship for the first time in almost 50 years, and earned a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the second consecutive year. Disappointment hardly seems like an appropriate word. But with a home playoff game and with at least one more on the horizon, the expectations for the season were much greater than realized.
Mike Class breaks a tackle on his way to the end zone (Photo Ron Hockman)Notes - Also not available for the game was wide receiver Gabe Schappell. Schappell had seen limited playing time this season, but had four catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns over two recent games…Of 421 points scored this season by the Golden Rams, only 34 came in the fourth quarter...Tyler Morrissey made 13 tackles in his final collegiate game.
West Chester Athletic Site - No. 8 West Chester Stunned By New Haven, 35-28
New Haven Athletic Site - New Haven Takes Down No. 8 West Chester, Will Host Slippery Rock Next Weekend
Daily Local News - Conn. Job: West Chester Univ. upset at home in NCAA first round
New Haven Register - Patterson, New Haven rally past West Chester in D-II tournament opener
The Charger Bulletin - Chargers Win NCAA Playoff Thriller
Ron Hockman - Photo Album - NCAA Rd 1 First Quarter
Ron Hockman - Photo Album - NCAA Rd 1 Second Quarter
Ron Hockman - Photo Album - NCAA Rd 1 Third Quarter
Ron Hockman - Photo Album - NCAA Rd 1 Fourth Quarter
D2football - NE10 Columnist - Week 12 Thoughts
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