Game Report - Bloomsburg 21 - West Chester 16

The Golden Rams (3-2, 1-1) dominated every statistic in the box score, but only the scoreboard matters, and that's where Bloomsburg (2-3, 1-1) finished ahead 21-16. A week after West Chester had a pitiful offensive output against Millersville but got the win, the tables turned as the Golden Rams moved the ball with ease against Bloomsburg, but took the loss. The outcome really came down to four big plays.

• On Bloomsburg's first possession of the game, they completed a 58-yard catch-and-run touchdown. The WCU defense has given up a few big plays this season, so it wasn't a big surprise, but that one play accounted for over one-third of the Huskies yards in the contest. The Golden Ram defense really did shut Bloomsburg down for the remainder of the game. +7 for Bloomsburg
• West Chester responded by going on 78-yard, six-minute drive. But Ja'Den McKenzie fumbled into the end zone and it was recovered by the Huskies. At the very least this possession should have ended in a field goal, but the way the Golden Rams were moving the ball, everyone expected a touchdown. -7 for West Chester.
• Early in the second quarter, Bloomsburg blocked Chris Barbera's punt and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. The Huskies had been getting good pressure on previous WCU punts, and they finally cashed in on this one. +7 for Bloomsburg
• With less than two minutes left in the first half, freshman quarterback Ethan Kohler and the Golden Ram offense started at their own 32-yard line and swiftly moved down the field to the Bloomsburg 5-yard line. But Kohler was unable to handle a third-down snap and Bloomsburg did an 88-yard scoop and score. - 7 for West Chester, +7 for Blooomsburg.

David Blay makes his way to the quarterback (Photo Joan Gillen)

In the second half, Bloomsburg had net 18 yards, with 15 of those coming on a West Chester defensive pass interference call to account for the Huskies only first down after intermission. Meanwhile, the Golden Ram offense continued to evolve, although it produced no points in the third frame. A 30-yard Sean Henry field goal attempt slipped wide right and a deep Kohler pass was intercepted when intended target Julian Kelly got tangled with the defensder and fell down on the play.

Julian Kelly made six first down catches (Photo Joan Gillen)

In the fourth quarter, the offense finally hit the scoreboard. They navigated 65 yards in 10 plays in five minutes, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kohler to Thatcher Miller. And after the WCU defense produced their seventh three-and-out of the game, Phil Poquie had three carries for 40 yards including an 11-yard touchdown run to close the score to 21-16 with five minutes left.

After two straight scores and another defensive stop, the Golden Rams seemed to have momentum. Poquie built on it by having a 43-yard punt return to the Bloomsburg 32 with two and a half minutes left. McKenzie rushed to the 29, but Kohler's third-down pass to Rahiem Bowens was dropped and the fourth down attempt had the same fate.

Bill Martelon keeps the Huskies at bay for Phil Poquie (Photo Joan Gillen)

West Chester's 412 yards was the best offensive output of the season. Kohler, who was plagued by several drops by his receivers, went 15 of 33 for 185 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and he was only sacked once. Kelly was his favorite target, hauling in six catches for 66 yards. Poquie had a video game day: 106 yards and a touchdown rushing, 3 catches for 46 yards receiving, 55 yards in kickoff returns and 70 yards in punt returns for a total of 277 all purpose yards. Defensively, Ayyub Dail and Zach Liggitt each had a sack while Jackson Taylor and Daniel Hicks shared in one. Among Taylor's team high eight tackles were 4.5 tackles for loss and he recovered a fumble. Henry did nail a 41-yard field goal to initially get West Chester on the scoreboard.

Maurice Beverly went out with what appears to be a serious shoulder injury. He was replaced by Elijah Beard who had a forced fumble. After missing last week, Patrick Methlie was back at left tackle and the offensive line returned to normal.

Sortable Box Score    Coaches Box Score

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Nearly Pulls Off Comeback in Loss to Bloomsburg, 21-16

Bloomsburg Athletic Site - Strong Defense and Special Teams Leads Football to a 21-16 Win Over West Chester

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Bloomsburg

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