Golden Ram Football Club: Game Report - West Chester 28

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Game Report - West Chester 28 - Shippensburg 10

Quarterback Cooper Jordan ran for three touchdowns and threw for one, to account for all of West Chester's (1-4, 1-1) scoring in capturing a 28-10 victory over visiting Shippensburg (1-4, 0-2). And despite most of the statistics, it was the best day for the Golden Ram defense this season.

Jordan's first touchdown was an 84-yard run around the left side on the first play of the second quarter. The Golden Ram defense continued the momentum by forcing a quick three-and-out. West Chester then used solid runs by Jayden Williams and Dayshawn Jacobs to set up Jordan's 33-yard touchdown pass to Rahiem Bowens to extend the lead to 14-0.

Cooper Jordan on his 84-yard TD run (Photo Chuck Greco)

Later in the half, while Shippensburg went on a 15-play, 87-yard drive that consumed over five minutes, the WCU defense stiffened and held the Raiders to just a 24-yard field goal. Shippensburg opened the second half ready to play, using just four plays to move 75 yards and close the score to 14-10, making everyone on the home side nervous. But WCU linebacker Connor Noble made a one-handed snare of a Ship screen pass to give the Golden Rams the ball at the Raider 34-yard line. After an 18-yard pass to Zack Gillen, Jordan slipped into the end zone from five yards out to increase the lead to 21-10.

Charley Mininger had one of WCU's six sacks (Photo Chuck Greco)

On the ensuing kickoff, Sean Henry, who has been perfect on PAT's this season, popped up the kick forcing the Shippensburg up man to peer into the afternoon sun to catch the ball. When no one from Ship secured the ball, Dylan McKenzie leaped on the ball giving the WCU offense good field position once again. After just two plays, Jordan scooted into the end zone from nine yards out to set the score to 28-10.

Dylan McKenzie recovers a fumble to set up a WCU TD (Photo Chuck Greco)

The Golden Ram defense was definitely in "bend but don't break mode" on Shippensburg's last three possessions. The first one went 17 plays and consumed over five minutes, but ended in a missed 35-yard field goal. The next one took over six minutes and the Raiders turned it over on downs at the WCU 18. And after the Golden Rams fumbled on the Ship 17-yard line, the Raiders ran nine more plays for over three minutes. In the series, Shippensburg had a first and goal from the three, and the West Chester defense denied the Raiders any points.

The WCU defense makes a goal line stand (Photo Chuck Greco)

As was mentioned, the statistics didn't favor West Chester. Shippensburg held a 24-16 advantage in first downs and dominated time of possession 37 minutes to 23, but when it mattered most, the Golden Ram defense stood strong. Besides the interception, Noble made a game-high 17 tackles including one of West Chester's six sacks. Nate Desmond made 5 tackles and had three of the Golden Rams' eight QB hurries. Shane Mosley made two pass breakups and six tackles.

Shane Mosley finishes a tackle (Photo Chuck Greco)

Jordan finished with 123 yards passing and 119 yards rushing. Bowens had 73 yards on five catches and Jacobs finished with 61 yards on 11 carries. Punter Zack Liberatore had an up and down day. His first punt was downed on the Shippensburg one-yard line and his second one traveled 63 yards and was downed on the six, but his last two traveled only 34 and 32 yards respectively and failed to penetrate the Raider 20-yard line.

Kaleb Brown downs a punt at the one-yard line (Photo Chuck Greco)