Player News - Cooper Jordan Named PSAC East Offensive POW

For his efforts in West Chester's 41-23 win over Millersville, junior quarterback Cooper Jordan has been named PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week. It's the second time the Golden Ram signal caller has been honored this season.

In succession, Cooper threw touchdown passes of 21, 36 and 47 yards. He then capped West Chester's scoring by running for touchdowns of 47 and 60 yards in the fourth quarter. Overall he accounted for 349 yards (131 passing, 218 rushing) and five touchdowns (3 passing, 2 rushing).

Cooper Jordan left the Ville defense behind all day (Photo Chuck Greco)

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Athletes of the Week - Week 8

West Chester Athletic Site - Cooper Jordan Named Co-Offensive Athlete of the Week in PSAC East

Game Report - West Chester 41 - Millersville 23

The Golden Ram (3-5, 3-2) offense used four big second half plays to overcome a lackluster first half and defeat the visiting Millersville Marauders (0-8, 0-5) by a score of 41-23. Quarterback Cooper Jordan had a spectacular day, accounting for 349 yards and five touchdowns.

Cooper Jordan had 218 yards and 2 TD's rushing (Photo Chuck Greco)

As expected, the Millersville offense focused on running the ball and amassed 156 yards on the ground versus 63 yards passing through the first three quarters. The Marauders' first passing play ended in a ten-yard Charley Mininger sack, and their second ended in a harmless incompletion due to a Seamus McCain (6 tackles, 1 sack, 2 PBU, 2 QBH) quarterback hurry.

Debrick Johnson and Johnny Pergine on 1 of WCU's 6 sacks (Photo Chuck Greco)

Conversely, the Golden Rams celebrated the return of power running back Juke Peaker (18 carries, 110 yards, 1 TD) to compliment the speedy Jordan (15 carries, 218 yards, 2 TD's), leading to 357 yards and 15 first downs on the ground. While Jordan completed only five of his 12 pass attempts, three of them went for touchdowns. And unlike last week, it was West Chester that made the big plays on offense: 21-yard and 47-yard touchdown catches by D'Shaun Seals, a 36-yard touchdown catch by Rahiem Bowens on fourth-and-13, and touchdown runs of 47 and 60 yards by Jordan.

Juke Peaker had 118 yards and a TD (Photo Chuck Greco)

Defensively, linebacker Connor Noble made a game-high 14 tackles, including a sack and forced a fumble that was recovered by Debrick Johnson who had 1.5 sacks of his own. Defensive end R.J. MacNamara (3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 QBH) had the most productive day in his Golden Ram career. Safety Shane Mosley (10 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 2 PBU) continued his standout play in the secondary.

Connor Noble made a second quarter strip sack (Photo Chuck Greco)

Other observations:

• Although Millersville finished with 406 yards of offense, over 200 of those yards came in the fourth quarter that started with a 27-9 West Chester lead. The Golden Ram prevent defense allowed a lot of yards that also consumed a lot of clock.
• Against the run-heavy Millersville offense, the Golden Rams used a four-man front for most of the game.
• True freshman linebacker Ryan Shannon made four special teams tackles on the day.
• After missing last week's game at East Stroudsburg due to an injury incurred a week earlier against Shepherd, defensive end Nate Desmond returned to the lineup. Unfortunately, it appears he re-injured the foot and was later seen in a boot.
• Although the official box score says otherwise, redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Rama took the final snap of the game.
• Kicker Sean Henry, who has been so good all season, had the worst game of his career. His first PAT attempt was blocked, his 41-yard field goal attempt was a low line drive and 31-yard field goal attempt was a popup.
• Running back Dayshawn Jacobs was dressed but did not play.
• West Chester (Johnny Pergine, Bowens) was cited for two more unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the game.

Johnny Pergine put a stop to this play (Photo Chuck Greco)

Dylan Nichols centered an offense that accounted for 488 yards
(Photo Chuck Greco)

Sortable Box Score   

West Chester Athletic Site - Jordan's Historic Day Leads West Chester to 41-23 Homecoming Victory over Millersville

Millersville Athletic Site - Ground game powers West Chester past Millersville

Daily Local News - Jordan runs wild, powers WCU past Millersville

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Millersville

Golden Rams Review - Photo Album - Millersville

Game Replay

Game Preview - Millersville

The Golden Rams (2-5, 2-2) host the Millersville Marauders (0-7, 0-4) for West Chester University's Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 2:00pm.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 72-18. J.C. Morgan (Bucknell '04) is currently in his sixth season as head coach of the Marauders with a 14-48 career record.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2013	Away	Win	48-3	2018	Home	Win	42-16
2014	Home	Win	62-7	2019	Away	Win	48-7
2015	Away	Win	48-3	2021	Away	Win	42-14
2016	Home	Win	52-0	2022	Home	Win	26-14
2017	Away	Win	27-24	2023	Away	Loss	23-14

Last Meeting:

09/23/2023 Millersville 23 - West Chester 14

In one of the most disappointing performances in recent memory, the Golden Rams trailed 16-0 at halftime and went on to lose 23-14 to Millersville for the first time since 2002. The Marauders ran the ball 58 times for 279 yards to drive a commanding 36 minute time of possession in the game. Conversely, the West Chester offense turned the ball over twice, was sacked six times, was only 2 of 13 on third down and could only muster ten first downs.

Rahiem Bowens had a team-high two catches for 72 yards, including a 62-yard, fourth quarter touchdown. Linebacker Connor Noble had a game-high 17 tackles and two pass breakups. Sean Henry launched a season-high nine punts in the game.

Scouting the Opponent:

Millersville's two best defenders from last season, AFCA All-America First Team linebacker Garrett Cox and defensive lineman Randy Okungu, have both moved on to IUP Cox is currently third in the PSAC in tackles.

Offensively the Marauders use three running backs: Jaiden Abrams (76 carries, 461 yards, 1 TD), Jaheim Morris (64 carries, 210 yards, 2 TD's) who was All-PSAC East last season, and Jose Lopez (42 carries, 189 yards, 2 TD's). Quarterback Rob Footman Jr. (43 carries, 85 yards) is also a running threat. In the passing game, incumbant Footman (30 of 72, 335 yards, 2 TD's, 4 int) has turned over most of the snaps to sophomore Ryan Zeltt (81 of 124, 864 yards, 6 TD's, 6 int). Among Millersville's five recievers with ten or more receptions, Isaac Sines (23 catches, 291 yards, 3 TD's) and Hakim Melvin (16 catches, 240 yards, 3 TD's) lead the way.

On the defensive side of the ball, safety Nick Romano (38 tackles, 2 int, 3 PBU) and freshman Amir Muhammad (14 tackles, 5 PBU) patrol the secondary. Defensive ends Conner Snyder (18 tackles, 1 sack, 5 QBH) and Max Hostetter (24 tackles) aooky pressure. In the middle are linebackers Hez Faison (32 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 4 QBH) and redshirt freshman Bryce Beutler (40 tackles).

Trent McDowell handles all the kicking duties, averaging 40 yards/punt and has dropped seven of his 40 punts inside the 20. He's 6 of 0 on field goals with a long of 44 and is perfect on 13 PAT's.

Analysis:

Millersville has lost their first seven games of this season and their last seven games of last season. In fact, you have to go all the way back to September 23, 2003 to find the Marauders' last win which happened to be against West Chester. So despite the fact that Millersville has struggled mightily this year on both sides of the ball, they see a golden opportunity in their opponent this week.

Expect to see a lot of their three running backs and Footman try to take advantage of West Chester's conference worst rushing defense. If the Golden Rams can force Millersville into the passing game, that could bode well for WCU in the interception area. The West Chester offense has been effective moving the ball and scoring points, and as long as WCU can avoid costly turnovers, that should continue against a Millersville defense that ranks last in the PSAC in points allowed with 36 points per game.

Massey Ratings is expecting a 35-17 West Chester win while Versus Sports simulates a wider 42-18 margin for the Golden Rams.

Notes:
At halftime of Saturday's game, the 2004 Golden Ram team that advanced to the NCAA Division II semi-finals will be honored. Also, former Golden Ram player and head coach Danny Hale will be recognized for his induction into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video   Game Program

West Chester Athletic Site - Homecoming Weekend Ahead For Gridiron Gang Saturday as Millersville Pays a Visit

West Chester Athletic Site - On-Campus Salute to Danny Hale Slated For Saturday's Football Game

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Welcomes Millersville on Homecoming Weekend

PSAC Site - 2024 PSAC Football Week 8 Notes

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Eight Preview

Game Report - East Stroudsburg 45 - West Chester 31

The Golden Ram offense had their best performance of the season. Unfortunately, the West Chester defense had their worst performance of the season. And both sides of the ball had yet another fourth quarter collapse in leading to an East Stroudsburg (6-1, 4-1) 45-31 victory over the visiting Golden Rams (2-5, 2-2).

The Warriors scored on seven of their ten possessions in the game. Of the three drives that resulted in no points, one was the end of the game, and Abdul Stewart was instrumental in the other two. On the game's opening possession, East Stroudsburg swiftly moved down the field, but Stewart intercepted a Warrior pass in the end zone and returned it 42 yards, which led to a Sean Henry 32-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Stewart made a tackle for a six-yard loss which led to an ESU three-and-out, and an eventual Golden Ram touchdown that tied the game at 31.

Abdul Stewart's touchdown saving interception (Photo Chuck Greco)

Other than that, the porous WCU defense allowed 478 yards, of which 273 yards were on the ground. East Stroudsburg's two running backs averaged an eye-popping 9.5 yards/carry. However, West Chester's red zone defense didn't suffer too badly, as four of the Warriors' touchdowns came on runs of 48, 37, and 32 yards plus a 21-yard pass.

Everyone was in on this defensive stop (Photo Chuck Greco)

What was most devastating was the timing of the lax defensive play. The first came when West Chester scored late in the first half to close their deficit to 21-17. With the Golden Rams due to receive the second half kickoff, it appeared to be a perfect two-for-one scenario. But the Warriors had 30 seconds to work with and took only three plays (plus a clock-stopping spike) to navigate the 68 yards and score a deflating touchdown to expand their lead to 28-17. Alas the Golden Rams eventually knotted the score at 31 on a fourth-down Cooper Jordan to Dayshawn Jacobs 11-yard touchdown pass. This time, the Warriors answered with a four-minute, 69-yard touchdown drive to reclaim the lead 38-31. The Golden Ram offense was no longer up to the challenge, as Jordan threw an interception which resulted in another four-minute, 68-yards touchdown drive for East Stroudsburg. The ball was with the Warriors for 12 minutes of the fourth quarter.

Dayshawn Jacobs with a game-tying touchdown catch (Photo Chuck Greco)

Offensively, the Golden Rams did very well against a defense that was rated among the PSAC leaders in points and yardage allowed. The running back tandem of Jacobs (11 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD; 5 catches, 22 yards, 1 TD) and freshman Anthony Leonardi (5 carries, 26 yards) had a respectable 5 yards/carry average. Jordan had 82 yards rushing and 204 yards passing, including a 50-yards TD pass to Rahiem Bowens (4 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD). And West Chester opened up the play book with wide receiver D'Shaun Seals (5 catches, 65 yards) completing a 22-yard pass to Jordan.

Rahiem Bowens had catches of 50 and 41 yards (Photo Chuck Greco)

Other notes:

• Linebacker Connor Noble led the defense with ten tackles while safety Shane Mosley made nine stops.
• Sophomore receiver Troy Corson still does not have a catch, but he scored his first collegiate touchdown on a two-yard run early in the third quarter.
• Kicker Sean Henry contines to be steady, converting all four PAT attempts, a 32-yard field goal, and knocking two of his six kickoff into the end zone for touchbacks.
• Of East Stroudsburg's eight kickoffs, only one went for a touchback. Only one of the other seven was returned beyond the 25-yard line which would be the starting field postion if the remaining six were merely fair caught. Early in the second quarter, Darrell Brown had the ball ripped out of his arms at the 23 and it was ruled a fumble on the field, but was fortunately overturned on replay review. The potential reward doesn't seem to be equal to the risk involved in returning kickoffs.

Freshman Ryan Shannon with a special teams tackle (Photo Chuck Greco)

Sortable Box Score   

West Chester Athletic Site - East Stroudsburg Wins Offensive Shootout, 45-31

East Stroudsburg Athletic Site - Warriors Rush Past West Chester in 45-31 Homecoming Triumph

Golden Rams Review - Photo Album - East Stroudsburg

Game Replay

Event News - Killinger Foundation Banquet

The 2024 Killinger Foundation Football Banquet will be held in the spring of 2025 at the West Chester University Alumni & Foundation Center. The 2024 Hall of Fame inductees are:

- Lou Berman '91
- Dennis Ianovale '75
- Doug Jacob '83
- Sean McCartney '14
- Sam Scott '10

Berman was a first team All-PSAC East defensive lineman in 1989 when the Golden Rams advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs for just the second time in program history. He led the Golden Rams in tackles for loss in 1991 for which he garnered second team All-PSAC East honors. Berman was fifth on the WCU career sack list when he finished his playing career.

Ianovale was a second team All-PSAC East defensive back for a team that went on to play Bethune-Cookman in the Central Florida Classic in 1973.

Defensive lineman Jacob earned second team All-PSAC East honors in 1982 and first team All-PSAC East honors for the 1983 squad that finished 7-3.

Quarterback McCartney was thrust into a starting role in the fifth game of his redshirt freshman season when the 1-4 Golden Rams hosted Shippensburg in a nationally televised game. It was the best game of his career as he went 27 of 49 for 444 yards and five touchdowns in leading WCU to a thrilling 44-43 win in three overtimes. After having his 2012 season thwarted by an injury, he was the full-time starter in both 2013 when the Golden Rams advanced to the NCAA Division II semi-finals and 2014 when West Chester also qualified for the playoffs. He finished his passing career with 9,595 yards and 92 touchdowns. After his senior season McCartney was named the PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year, Daktronics Division II All-Super Region 1, Associated Press All-American, ECAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and finished fifth for the Harlon Hill Trophy which is presented annually to the Division II Football Player of the Year.

Edge rusher Scott was a member of the 2007 and 2008 Golden Ram teams that particiapted in the NCAA Division II playoffs. He was named first team All-PSAC East after the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Scott finished his three year collegiate career with 222 tackles, including 37 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. He even had an interception in his final game against Mercyhurst. He then played in the Cactus Bowl, the Division II All-Star game and was named Defensive Player of the Game after tying a Cactus Bowl record with 14 tackles and forced two fumbles. After spending time in camps with the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL, he played in 27 games over six seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampede (2011), Hamilton TigerCats (2013-2015) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2016. He also spent several years as an assistant coach for the Golden Rams.

For a detailed agenda or to purchase tickets, please go to the online ticket sale center.

Game Preview - East Stroudsburg

In a battle for second place in the PSAC East, the Golden Rams (2-4, 2-1) travel to East Stroudsburg (4-2, 2-1) to take on the Warriors on their homecoming this Saturday at 6:00pm.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 64-23. In 2004, the Golden Rams blocked a PAT in overtime, then scored a touchdown and won the game on Dan Wilbourne’s converted PAT to hand then #7 East Stroudsburg their first loss of the season in front of a homecoming crowd of almost 6,000. The two schools met again that season on a frigid and blustery November afternoon in the NCAA regional finals. With a crowd of over 7,200 on hand, current West Chester running backs coach Osagie Osunde ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Rams handed East Stroudsburg their second and final loss of the season.

The following year, West Chester tipped the #6 ranked Warriors, 18-17, in muddy Farrell Stadium. 2005 was the last season that Farrell Stadium had natural grass. In 2009, East Stroudsburg ruined West Chester’s homecoming 21-20. The Golden Rams failed to convert a PAT early in the game and a 35-yard field goal late in the game.

Former Warrior quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger (30-23) enters his fifth full season as head coach at his alma mater and guided his team to the NCAA Division II playoffs last season for the first time since 2009.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2013	Home	Win	34-20	2018	Away	Win	52-24
2014	Away	Win	35-24	2019	Home	Win	28-21
2015	Home	Win	41-27	2021	Home	Win	42-28
2016	Away	Win	41-14	2022	Away	Win	24-21
2017	Home	Win	31-26	2023	Home	Loss	28-14

Last Meeting:

10/14/2023 East Stroudsburg 28 - West Chester 14

Despite an anemic offensive effort, the Golden Rams had two possessions in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie the game. However it was the Warriors that scored in the fourth quarter to leave West Chester with a 28-14 win.

West Chester's two scores came on long drives with the first ending on a 15-yard Cooper Jordan to Rahiem Bowens touchdown pass and the second ending on a 1-yard Ethan Kohler run. But besides those two scoring drives, the Golden Rams totaled only 23 yards of offense. D'Shaun Seals had three catches for 37 yards and Bowens made two catches for 22 yards.

Defensively, Connor Noble had a game-high 11 tackles. Nate Desmond had a sack on the opening drive while Charley Mininger and Daniel Hicks split another sack. Sean Henry made both his PAT attempts, averaged 58 yards on three kickoffs, and boomed two of his six punts for over 50 yards.

Scouting the Opponent:

The Warriors lead the PSAC in rushing, primarily behind running backs Tyriq Lewis (71 carries, 465 yards, 5 TD's) and Tahir Mills (79 carries, 420 yards, 2 TD's) who are both among the top ten in the conference. Quarterback Sean McTaggart (37 carries, 165 yards, 3 TD's; 81 of 131, 1,136 yards, 12 TD's, 2 int) also adds to the running threat, while ranking second in the PSAC in passing efficiency, and has only been sacked five times through the first six games. They get protection up front from All-PSAC East center Raymond Christas and 6'8 410lb right tackle Guy Gilyard. Any player that dons the red and black is likely to make a catch for East Stroudsburg as 16 different players have at least one reception and six different players have at least 100 yards receiving so far this season. Top targets are wide receiver Justin Cook (14 catches, 190 yards, 2 TD's), All-PSAC East and 6'3 wide receiver John Siggins (12 catches, 186 yards, 2 TD's), Wagner transfer Randy Fizer (9 catches, 165 yards, 2 TD's) and receiver Evan Roche (8 catches, 159 yards, 2 TD's).

East Stroudsburg has the second best pass defense in the PSAC. Strong safety and reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week Everette Dingle (30 tackles, 3 int, 1 PBU) and cornerback Adewale Obayanju (11 tackles, 2 int, 3 PBU) are among the conference leaders in interceptions. Up front, redshirt freshman Terrell Reynolds (12 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and defensive tackle Lucas Skelley (20 tackles, 1.5 sacks) cause havoc. Linebackers Raymond Simmons IV (43 tackles, 3.0 TFL) and Matthew Davis (35 tackles) lead the team in tackles.

Place kicker Ty Quintois (8 of 10 FG, long 41, 24 of 25 PAT) also handles kickoffs (37 kickoffs, 10 TB, 1 OOB). Punter Adam Noll (37 yard avg) has punted a league low 14 times this season. In the return game, Cook was All-PSAC East last season and was named PSAC East Special Teams Athlete of the Week after scoring on a 99-yard kickoff return against Millersville.

Analysis:

The East Stroudsburg offense leads the PSAC in scoring (33.0 points/game) and is second in yardage (400.7 yards/game), while their defense is second in scoring (11.5 points/game) and third in yardage (254.7 yards/game). So the Warriors are very good and very balanced on both sides of the ball. Add the intangibles of the game being played in East Stroudsburg, in the evening, and on homecoming and it's going to be a very tall task for the Golden Rams to come home with a W.

Massey Ratings is expecting East Stroudsburg to win 31-20 and Versus Sports simulates a much more convincing 35-13 Warrior victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video  

West Chester Athletic Site - Golden Rams Gridiron Crew Hits the Road Saturday at ESU

PSAC Site - 2024 PSAC Football Week 7 Notes

East Stroudsburg Athletic Site - Preview: ESU vs. West Chester (Homecoming)

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Seven Preview