When the Golden Rams forced a three-and-out on East Stroudsburg's first possession, punctuated by a nine-yard sack by Nate Desmond, there seemed to be some hope for WCU fans. And even though the Warriors would score on their next possession, West Chester answered right back on a Cooper Jordan (6 of 11, 66 yards, 1 TD, 2 int) to Rahiem Bowens 15-yard touchdown pass to knot the score. But the second quarter was all ESU. The Warriors would score touchdowns on drives of 73 and 58 yards while the Golden Rams went three-and-out four times and managed a total of 14 yards of offense.
A discouraging finish to the first half spiraled downward when on the first offensive play of the second half, Jordan launched an indiscriminate pass that promptly got picked off. However, the Golden Ram defense prevented any damage. Starting at their own 19, quarterback Ethan Kohler (5 of 10, 55 yards) entered the game for WCU and marched the team the length of the field, including converting two fourth downs, to bring the score to 21-14. And when Izaiah McPherson intercepted a pass on East Stroudsburg's next possession, momentum seemed to shift to the purple and gold. But the West Chester offense could only muster one first down for the remainder of the game.
Pat Methlie limited the All-American to three tackles (Photo Joan Gillen)With two and a half minutes left, the Golden Ram defense had forced an apparent fourth-down field goal attempt. An East Stroudsburg miss in the steady rain would give WCU one last chance, but any hope was shredded when Tom Burns was whistled for an unsportsmanlike penalty which gave ESU a first down and an eventual touchdown. Although the Golden Rams were only called for six penalties, four of them gave the Warriors first downs.
WCU prepares for a tush push touchdown (Photo Joan Gillen)While the passing yards were fairly even in the game, East Stroudsburg dominiated the running game 234-56 and thus the time of possession 34-25. Linebacker Connor Noble had a game-high 11 tackles, while Sterlen Barr, Jr. had nine tackles and a pass breakup. D'Shaun Seals (3 catches, 37 yards) was West Chester's leading receiver, but his catches continue to dazzle: a one-handed catch and run for a first down, and a leaping catch for a fourth-down conversion.
Charley Mininger with one of his six tackles (Photo Joan Gillen)
Cooper Jordan finds some running room (Photo Joan Gillen)- Right guard Bill Martelon left the game with a lower leg injury. Trey Wells slid from right tackle to right guard and Cam McQueen finished the game at right tackle.
- In last week's game at Shippensburg, it was observed that Kaleb Brown (20 TKL, 1 int, 2 PBU in 5 games) was not at the game. Well he's no longer on the Golden Rams' roster.
- Running back Trey Blair (4 carries, 12 yards) left the game early in the third quarter with an injury. Two plays later, running back Daquan Robinson (3 carries, 12 yards) suffered the same fate.
- Zack Gillen got his first collegiate touches, returning three kickoffs for 53 yards in the game.
- After missing the past two games, Daniel Hicks (2 TKL, 0.5 sack) returned to action on the defensive line.
West Chester Athletic Site - East Stroudsburg Defeats West Chester, 28-14
East Stroudsburg Athletic Site - Defense, Rushing Attack Lifts Warriors to First Win over West Chester since 2012
Daily Local News - Offense sputters as WCU falls at home to division rival ESU
WCU Football Family - Photo Album - East Stroudsburg
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