Golden Ram Football Club: Game Report - Kutztown 21

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Game Report - Kutztown 21 - West Chester 14

The #19 Kutztown Golden Bears shut down West Chester in the second half and scored the game-winning touchdown with eight seconds remaining to topple West Chester 21-14. It was the first home loss for the Golden Rams since Kutztown in 2019.

Much attention will be placed on Kutztown's final offensive play of the game when, on a third and goal from the 22, the Golden Bear receiver appeared to push off in the end zone before catching the game-winning touchdown catch. But there were three critical moments in the first half that could have made the final seconds of the game inconsequential.

Shane Dooley often faced a wall of defenders (Photo Gina Chapman)

The first came early in the second quarter. With the Golden Rams leading 14-0, Kutztown was stopped on a third and goal at the West Chester two-yard line. But Nyeem Jones was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty giving Kutztown a first and goal. Two plays later, the Golden Bears cut West Chester's lead in half.

Later in the quarter, a John George punt pinned Kutztown at their own six-yard line. On their first play, cornerback Obi Anyatonwu made a diving interception at the 14, setting up the Golden Ram offense with a first down in the red zone. But three plays later, Shane Dooley returned the favor and threw an interception. Scoring opportunity averted.

Jackson Taylor and Shamar Edwards converge on a tackle (Photo Gina Chapman)

But Kutztown was unable to move the ball. And back-to-back sacks by Jackson Taylor and Wyatt Smith set the Golden Bears at fourth and 21 from their own nine. The ensuing Kutztown punt went only 30 yards, so the Golden Rams were at the Kutztown 39 with two-and-a-half minutes left. But on the punt, Michael Alexander was called for running into the kicker. While the penalty was only five yards and did not result in a first down, it did give Kutztown another opportunity to punt. On the second chance, Kutztown boomed a 70-yard punt and West Chester was called for an illegal block. So instead of starting from the Kutztown 29, West Chester had first down at their own nine.

The Golden Rams first two offensive possessions were a wonderful sight. Dooley and Ja'Den McKenzie led a 75-yard march to the end zone capped by an 20-yard touchdown catch by Rasheem James. The second drive was quite similar - a mix of running and passing, 80 yards, finished off by a 16-yard touchdown pass to Mari Wright. That's two possessions, 20 plays, 147 yards and almost 11 minutes off the clock. But over the course of the remainder of the game, West Chester only mustered another 99 yards, and only 32 yards after half time.

Nika Wright provides passage for Ja'Den McKenzie (Photo Gina Chapman)

The Golden Ram defense looked much like they have this season. They allowed 319 total yards in the game, with almost half of those coming on just three big plays. On Kutztown's first possession, Shamar Edwards made a touchdown saving tackle on a 60-yard run, and since Kutztown missed their field goal attempt, he actually preserved the shutout for the time being. The Golden Bears used runs of 40- and 20-yards in route to their first touchdown. Their third big play of the day was a 51-yard pass on an out-and-up, but the threat was averted by a strip sack by Zach Liggitt. For the game, West Chester tallied a total of seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Offensively, tight end Dan Neuhaus made four catches for 80 yards and McKenzie fought his way for 67 yards on 17 carries. Dooley was sacked six times.

Nyeem Jones gets in on a goal-line stop (Photo Gina Chapman)