The defense had seven tackles for loss, including three sacks, forced six three-and-outs and held the Golden Eagles to just one of 14 on third down conversions. But they also got gashed for six plays of at least 20 yards, allowed 468 total yards to a team that had averaged 288 yards per game and gave up 27 points to a team that hadn't scored over the past two weeks.
The balanced West Chester offense rolled up 252 yards rushing and 237 yards passing and scored 30 points. But three first-and-goal situations ended in zero touchdowns, eleven plays resulted in negative yards, and with the game in the balance, their three fourth quarter possessions failed to produce a first down.
WCU special teams converted all six scoring kicks, and they blocked a Clarion field goal on the last play of the game, but a pooch kickoff to the 25 was returned 34 yards and a successful Clarion onsides kick was thwarted only by an illegal touching penalty on the Golden Eagles.
Quarterback Cooper Jordan (13 of 19, 237 yards, 2 TD's) had a good game, often avoiding pressure and connecting with seven different receivers. Rahiem Bowens hauled in a 43-yard touchdown pass on West Chester's first offensive play. And Thatcher Miller and D'Shaun Seals each had 30+ yard receptions. But the workhorse of the offense was senior running back Phil Poquie. Poquie had 14 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown, two catches for 60 yards, and two kickoff returns for 34 yards. Jordan had 69 yards on the ground, although the Clarion defense started to snuff him out late in the game, and Ja'Den McKenzie had 59 yards rushing.
Linebacker Jackson Taylor paced the defense with ten total tackles. Cornerback Sterlen Barr had six tackles and blocked Clarion's potential game-tying field goal to end the game. West Chester got sacks from Taylor, Zach Liggitt, and Michael Alexander. Kicker Sean Henry had another good game. He converted his three PAT's and three field goal attempts from 21, 25 and 29 yards. He also dropped three of his seven punts inside the Clarion 20-yard line.
Cornerback Obi Anyatonwu didn't play the first quarter, as he was replaced in the starting lineup by Matt Marshall. Izaiah McPherson played the first half in place of Elijah Beard who presumably was benched for being ejected during last week's game at Kutztown. Safety Kaleb Brown and linebacker Khalib Slaughter were not in attendance, and were replaced by Shamar Edwards and Oscar Uduma respectively.
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Concludes Season With 36-27 Victory Over Clarion
Clarion Athletic Site - Football Season Ends With Slugfest Against WCU
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