Game Report - West Chester 17 - Bentley 16

The end result is the ultimate arbiter, and in that measure, the Golden Rams came away with a 17-16 win over Bentley. But this game was certainly a tale of four very different quarters.

In the first quarter, both offenses were showing that it was their first game of the season with a lot of youth. By the end of the first 15 minutes, West Chester seemed to be getting the better of it. Ja'Den McKenzie and Phil Poquie both ran the ball effectively. Shane Dooley spread the ball around to Rahiem Bowens, Julian Kelly and D'Shaun Seals, but there was still no score.

Zach Liggitt pressures the Bentley quarterback (Photo Chuck Bitner)

But the long drive was capped off in the second quarter with a play action pass from Dooley to McKenzie for a two-yard touchdown to give the Golden Rams a 7-0 lead. Bentley's possession didn't last long, thanks to a couple of quarterback hurries by defenseive end Zach Liggitt. But the Falcon punt pinned the Golden Rams deep in their own territory. West Chester sustained another nice, long drive, however it stalled at the Bentley 17. And when Sean Henry's 34-yard field goal attempt sailed wide, West Chester had no points to show for the effort. Fortunately, the Golden Ram defense forced a quick three-and-out to give the offense another chance. West Chester immediately extended the lead when Dooley found a wide open Maurice Mazzccua who bobbled the ball, but managed to hang on and make his way into the end zone to stretch the lead to 14-0 for the purple and gold at halftime.

Maurice Mazzccua actually caught this ball and scored (Photo Chuck Bitner)

In the third quarter, things took a turn for the worse for West Chester. Bentley took the opening kickoff for a touchback, but then drove the length of the field thanks in large part to a 47-yard pass play down the middle of the field. True freshman Maurice Beverly blocked the PAT which turned out to be a pivotal play in the game. The Golden Ram slide continued as Dooley threw a point-blank interception giving the Bentley offense great field position. Two plays later, the Falcons closed the score to 14-13. In a bit of deja vu, Dooley threw another pick giving Bentley the ball at the West Chester 18. The Golden Rams dodged a bullet when a Bentley touchdown pass was nullified by an ineligible receiver penalty. A penalty then turned in Bentley's favor when the Golden Rams jumped offside giving the Falcons three more shots at the end zone. With their backs to the goal line, linebacker Jackson Taylor made a couple of stops and held Bentley to a field goal. Nevertheless, West Chester found themselves trailing 16-14. The disastrous quater ended with another Golden Ram punt.

Julian Kelly prevents a third quarter pick six (Photo Chuck Bitner)

In the final period, the Golden Ram defense turned up the pressure as Taylor and Oscar Uduma each registered quarterback hurries and forcing a punt. The Golden Ram offense then played what will be a familiar script this season - the McKenzie and Poquie show. Although the five minute drive stalled at the Bentley 17, this time Henry connected on a 34-yard field goal to give West Chester a 17-16 lead with just 4:26 left. However, Golden Ram hearts could not rest until Bentley's Hail Mary pass to the end zone was knocked down by Kaleb Brown with 0:00 showing on the scoreboard.

Several miscellanous observations:

The question about Cooper Jordan's use this season was answered tonight. When Dooley's helmet popped off forcing him to sit out a play, it was Jordan that came into the game. He later ran another play on offense.

The big guys up front on defense did a nice job: Nate Desmond had four tackles, Ayyub Dail was credited with four stops, and Roderic Carson made three tackles including a key tackle for loss on third-and-short in the fourth quarter.

Quinton Derr did a pretty good job containing Bentley's preseason All-American defensive end, holding him to just five tackles, although he did register two sacks and a forced fumble.

Beverly got the start as shark linebacker and made nine tackles and had the blocked PAT which was the difference in the score. Uduma, who is listed on the roster as a linebacker, has moved to safety to take Shamar Edwards position. It looked like it was first game in that position, but he still made five tackles.

At the tight end spot, Stone Huffman was not dressed and Mason Griffiths got a lot of time in blocking situations. Dooley connected with Thatcher Miller on one pass for 23 yards.

The four team captains looked the part: Poquie had 92 yards rushing; McKenzie had 56 yards on the ground and two catches for 13 yards and a score; Taylor had seven tackles and QB hurry; and Liggit had a solo tackle for loss to go with his two QB hurries.

Bowens had a team-high three catches for 34 yards.

Sortable Box Score   

West Chester Athletic Site - Henry’s Field Goal the Difference In West Chester’s Season Opening Win over Bentley, 17-16

Bentley Athletic Site - 4th-Quarter Field Goal Lifts West Chester Past Bentley, 17-16

Daily Local News - Golden Rams stage late comeback to edge Bentley in opener

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC West Chester Wins With Late Field Goal

D2football - NE10 Columnist - NE10 Week 1 Thoughts

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Bentley

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