Game Report - Indiana 31 - West Chester 24

The Golden Rams (6-5) snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in one of the most epic collapses in the past decade as West Chester fell to Indiana (7-3) by a score of 31-24.

Senior saefty Jordan Burney gives the pregame inspiration (Photo Gina Chapman)

West Chester took a 17-3 into the fourth quarter thanks in large part to a dominating first half performance by the Golden Rams. The WCU defense allowed just 35 passing yards in the first 30 minutes and limited the Crimson Hawks to only 7 first downs and 120 total yards. IUP certainly didn’t help themselves by committing ten first-half penalties for 103 yards. Indiana also attempted a fake punt from their own 27, but the ball was bobbled and the play ended when Trael Seegers tackled the IUP punter at their own 20.

Meanwhile, the West Chester offense was playing well enough. When quarterback Shane Dooley wasn’t being sacked or running for his life, he managed to complete seven passes for 162 yards. And despite IUP having one of the best rushing defenses in the PSAC, Ja'Den McKenzie ran for 81 yards and two scores, including a 47-yard run where he first used his power to break several tackles at the line of scrimmage, and then used his speed to blow by the Crimson Hawk secondary. So a 17-3 WCU lead, but 15 minutes of football left to play. Could it be that bad? Yes.

Quarterback Shane Dooley was sacked 8 times (Photo Gina Chapman)

It started with the nemesis of the Golden Ram defense – surrendering the big play. IUP opened the fourth quarter with a 74-yard catch and run pass play for a touchdown. But West Chester answered with a 75-yard drive spearheaded by McKenzie’s running and Dooley connecting with Rasheem James for 33 yards and tight end Dan Neuhaus for 22 yards. And when McKenzie bowled his way into the end zone to return West Chester’s lead to 14 points, there was 8:35 left to play. And that’s when the collapse began.

Thanks in large part to the 74-yard touchdown pass, IUP’s previous touchdown drive only consumed 1:34 off the clock. This time, though, the Crimson Hawks picked their way down the field, navigating 75 yards in just 1:47, aided in part by a pass interference and a facemask penalty on the Golden Rams. With the score now 24-17 in favor of West Chester, the Golden Ram offense took three minutes off the clock, but managed just five yards. John George’s punt pinned IUP at their own 12-yard line with just 3:04 left to play.

Zach Liggitt and Zach Demarchis converge on a tackle (Photo Gina Chapman)

But IUP’s offense cut through the Golden Ram defense more swiftly than before, taking only five plays and 1:23 to score the tying touchdown. It was gut wrenching to surrender the lead, and with only 1:39 left in the game, it appeared the game was headed to overtime. And then the situation got even worse. Dooley was sacked and sacked again, but on the second one, he fumbled and IUP recovered at the West Chester 14-yard line. The Crimson Hawks milked most of the game clock and punched in the game-winning touchdown with just 14 seconds left. An indescribable loss.

It was a mixed game for Dooley. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 302 yards and picked up 62 yards rushing. But due to the heavy pressure all day, he threw an interception when trying to make a play, lost a fumble in the waning moments of the game, and was sacked eight times for 59 yards. Although he didn’t get into the end zone, James had his best game of the season, making six catches for 115 yards. And McKenzie had one of his best games this year: 23 carries for 112 yards and 3 touchdowns and a 24-yard catch.

Jake Colby and Dom Carey clear a path for Ja'Den McKenzie to score his third TD
(Photo Gina Chapman)

It’s amazing that in the fourth quarter, IUP scored 28 offensive points despite having the ball for less than five minutes. The Golden Ram defense didn’t register a turnover or a sack in the game. Actually they hardly got pressure on the IUP quarterback. While they made six tackles for loss, they accounted for a total of just 15 yards. Probably the most hideous part of the game was the penalties. IUP was flagged 12 times (although only twice in the second half) for 133 yards while West Chester surrendered 121 yards on 14 penalties, including an unsportsmanlike call on coach Bill Zwaan.

Notes – Safety Shamar Edwards and cornerback Kendall Singleton were not dressed and were replaced by Zach Demarchis and Izaiah McPherson respectively. Demarchis was replaced in the second half by Seegers…Starting left tackle Brendan Ruskowski who left the Kutztown game due to an ankle injury was not dressed and was replaced by Trey Wells .

The 2021 Golden Ram Seniors (Photo Anthony Giacometti)

Prior to the game, head coach Bill Zwaan was recognized for becoming the all-time winningest football coach in West Chester history.

State Senator Robert "Tommy" Tomlinson, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Zebulun Davenport, President Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, Head Football Coach Bill Zwaan, Director of Athletics Terry Beattie (Photo Anthony Giacometti)

Sortable Box Score   

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Falls In Season Finale To IUP, 31-24

Indiana Athletic Site - Fourth quarter fireworks: Crimson Hawks end season with dramatic win at West Chester

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Indiana

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