It didn't take long for things to go awry. After the Golden Ram defense forced an early punt, Zack Gillen fumbled the punt and the Vulcans recovered at the WCU 6-yard line. It took all four downs, but California got into the end zone to take an early 7-0 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Jamir Robertson muffed the ball into the end zone. Rather than take the touchback, he decided to bring the ball out of the end zone and was downed at the WCU 2-yard line. A Golden Ram holding penalty on the play pushed the line of scrimmage back to the one. After West Chester picked up a couple of first downs, Robertson got in the path of the shotgun snap and California recovered the fumble. The Golden Ram defense held strong for three plays, but the short field enabled California to convert a 37-yard field goal. So eight minutes in, the West Chester defense allowed only 25 yards, but ten points.
It took three Cal defenders to stop Ali Barkley (Photo Chuck Greco)Fortunately, the West Chester offense found some rhythm. Quarterback Cooper Jordan led the purple and gold on a 17-play, 67-yard drive that consumed almost eight minutes off the clock. Along the way was an Ethan Kohler 13-yard scramble for a first down and a gutsy fourth down, 22-yard completion from Jordan to Matthew Iuvara. Even though the drive only resulted in a Rylan Zuk 25-yard field goal, the Golden Rams were on the board. Later in the second quarter, Jordan completed a 41-yard pass to Iuvara which eventually led to an Ali Barkley 3-yard touchdown run. Defensive back Kaleb Brown nabbed his second interception of the season which capped a rather dominating defensive first half for West Chester - just 102 total yards and 1 of 7 on third down conversions.
Nate Desmond and Ronnell McCorn team up on a tackle (Photo Chuck Greco)To open the second half, the two teams traded three-and-outs. On West Chester's second possession, Jordan scrambled 58 yards to convert a third-and-ten and later completed a 19-yard pass to Iuvara for a touchdown. The stunned Vulcans were now trailing 17-13 midway through the third quarter. Once again, bad field position and mistakes reared their ugly head for the Golden Rams. On a fourth-and-two from the WCU 21, Luke Vereb's snap sailed high. Although punter Dylan Shank, was able to corrale it, his punt was blocked out of the back of the end zone and West Chester's lead was trimmed to 17-15 entering the final period.
Nick Rogers drags down the Cal quarterback (Photo Chuck Greco)The Vulcans, aided by a WCU personal foul, scored a quick touchdown to go up 23-17. After the Golden Ram offense had the ball for less than a minute before punting, the WCU defense had its worst series of the day. Ultimately California only converted a 35-yard field goal, but it put the Vulcans up 26-17 and the possession consumed over eight minutes off the clock. With just over two minutes to play in the game, Jordan completed an 18-yard pass to Ivan Thorpe, rushed for 14 yards and completed a 33-yard strike to Iuvara to set up Khalil Owens' four-yard touchdown run. In the end, it wasn't enough as the Vulcans held on for the 26-24 win.
Cooper Jordan blows by a Cal defender (Photo Chuck Greco) Overall, the Golden Ram defense, especially the pass defense (82 net yards), had a great game. In addition to Brown's pick, cornerback Gus Ross had two pass breakups while defensive end Nate Desmond and safety Jimmy Wright each had one. There was good pressure up front as Seamus McCain and Ricardo Delgado each registered a solo sack. Desmond led the D with ten tackles while linebackers Johnny Pergine and Connor Noble each had eight.
Khalil Owens muscles his way into the end zone (Photo Chuck Greco)Offensively it was a big day for Iuvara who had four catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Jordan had 86 yards rushing, but struggled passing (9 of 23, 180 yards, 1 TD, 1 int, 2 sacks). Barkley picked up 56 yards and a score.
Ricardo Delgado registers an 8-yard sack (Photo Chuck Greco)
Matt Iuvara hauled in 4 passes for 115 yards (Photo Chuck Greco)West Chester Athletic Site - Late Comeback Bid By Golden Rams Falls Short at No. 10 Cal
California Athletic Site - Vulcans capture victory against West Chester
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