West Chester couldn’t ask for a better start. The Golden Ram defense forced a three-and-out, and the offense, despite a couple of penalties, went 59 yards in over five minutes for a touchdown. On Bloomsburg’s second possession, the Huskies were aided by a couple of major WCU penalties, but failed to come away with points even after having six snaps within the West Chester ten-yard line. The Golden Ram offense then marched 94 yards, with all four quarterbacks playing on the possession, and finished with a one-yard touchdown plunge by Ja'Den McKenzie. So early into the second quarter, the WCU offense had two long touchdown drives while the defense forced a three-and-out and exhibited a goal line stand.
But Bloomsburg responded with a long drive of their own, navigating 67 yards in six minutes to pull within 7. Then things took a turn. Instead of a fair catch, Phil Poquie returned the ensuing kickoff but only got to the ten-yard line. Two plays later, Shane Dooley threw an interception. And on the very next play, Bloomsburg converted a 30-yard touchdown pass on some shoddy Golden Ram tackling. The only saving grace was that the PAT failed, but the score went from 14-0 to 14-13 in less than 90 seconds.
The Golden Ram defensive goal line stand (Photo Gina Chapman)West Chester responded with another long drive. Twelve plays, 76 yards, and almost six minutes was all for naught as McKenzie lost a fumble at the one-yard line. So the Golden Rams entered the locker room with a 14-13 lead.
D'Shaun Seals tried to spark the team with a 40-yard kickoff return to start the second half, but this possession would also end without points as Dooley lost a fumble on a sack. Fortunately, Bloomsburg had their own frustration. The Golden Rams forged another goal-line stand and that ended with a missed 21-yard field goal by the Huskies.
Phil Poquie springs Maurice Mazzccua (Photo Gina Chapman)Desman Johnson took over at quarterback for West Chester and led the team deep into Bloomsburg territory, but the drive stalled at the 25. And this time Bloomsburg responded wisely. After a heavy dose of running plays, they finally completed a 26-yard touchdown pass. They oddly didn’t attempt a two-point conversion, and after the traditional PAT, led 20-14.
Maurice Mazzccua had a good kickoff return to give West Chester good field position. Dooley returned to the quarterback spot, and managed a first down, but when the drive stalled, John George stepped on the field for the first time on the day. The usually reliable punter simply dropped the snap and Bloomsburg recovered the fumble on the West Chester 42. But then it was a story that had been seen already in this game: the Huskies got into the red zone, the West Chester defense stiffened and Bloomsburg missed another field goal. With four minutes left, the Golden Rams had a chance.
Joe Desanto and Omar Peterkin meet at the quarterback (Photo Gina Chapman)Traditionally 80 yards in four minutes is no problem for a West Chester offense, but this year the passing game hasn’t been clicking, so the distance seemed much longer. But the offensive line opened holes for McKenzie, Poquie and Johnson with Poquie finishing the drive with an 18-yard touchdown run. And more importantly, Sean Henry converted the PAT to give West Chester the 21-20 lead.
But this is West Chester in 2021, so even though there was only a minute left, the game was far from over. Starting from their own 25, Bloomsburg completed one pass for 26 yards and a second for 21 yards. But their attempt at a third chunk play ended with a Kendall Singleton interception at the one, securing the victory for the purple and gold.
Phil Poquie scores the game-winning TD (Photo Gina Chapman)Linebacker Jackson Taylor missed most of the first half after being called for targeting, but after the play was reviewed after halftime, he was permitted to return to the game… Stone Huffman started at tight end in place of Dan Neuhaus and Luke Stengel played in place of Dom Carey at right guard… Seals turned a screen into a 24-yard gain for his first collegiate reception...one nice thing about 95 rushing plays and only 36 pass attempts is that the game was played in a speedy 2:41...This was Bill Zwaan's 148th win at West Chester, eclipsing the all-time wins mark set by W. Glenn Killinger...Cole Zapf led the defense with 12 total tackles.
Kendall Singleton celebrates the game-winning pick (Photo Gina Chapman)West Chester Athletic Site - Poquie’s Late TD Run Lifts West Chester to 21-20 Win
Bloomsburg Athletic Site - Football Nearly Upsets West Chester on Their Homecoming
Daily Local News - West Chester needs another late drive to survive against Bloomsburg
WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Bloomsburg
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