No one on defense racked up huge tackle numbers because Cheyney only ran 36 offensive plays in less than 20 minutes of game time. Safety Kyle Keyser led the way with six stops and defensive tackle Josh Ganzelli contributed five. Defensive end Ch'aim Smith spent the game in the Cheyney backfield with two sacks and a quarterback hurry. Redshirt freshman Jarey Elder picked off a Cheyney pass just prior to the ball hitting the turf and cornerback Ted Patton intercepted a Cheyney two-point conversion attempt and returned it 98 yards for the defensive two-point score.
Ted Patton returns an interception for a two-point conversionHowever, the Golden Ram defense did allow a couple of big plays. A 58-yard run by Cheyney put the Wolves in position to score, but Smith blocked their field goal attempt. Then early in the second quarter, Cheyney completed consecutive passes for 24 and 62 yards which led to the Wolves first touchdown. Those three big plays accounted for 144 of Cheyney’s 151 total yards of offense. But those mistakes were all contained to the first half. In Cheyney’s four possessions after intermission, they were held to 13 plays, -35 net yards, three punts and a turnover on downs. That’s dominating defense.
Kevin Duggan drags down the runner (Photo R&R Photography)The Golden Ram offense got off to an ominous start. They opened with a trick play that resulted in a nine-yard loss. But a short field and a spectacular Tyler Karpinski catch led to an opening score. West Chester had to overcome three penalties – two holds and a face mask – on their second possession, but it also ended well with a 25-yard scoring pass from Pat Moriarty to tight end Simon Williams. It was Williams’ first score in purple and gold. For the game, Moriarty was 10 of 19 for 130 yards and three touchdowns. The top receiver was Jordan Banks with four catches for 44 yards and a score. The running game was led by Mike Class who had 90 yards on 11 carries and Jarel Elder who racked up 76 yards on 16 tries. Mark Dukes and Eerin Young each had rushing touchdowns.
Mark Dukes had 34 yards on the ground (Photo R&R Photography)The feel good moment of the game came in the third quarter. Up 34-6 with Moriarty’s day done, Alec Werner took over at quarterback. The offense started at the Cheyney 38-yard line and ran the ball down to the nine. On a second-and-goal play, Werner lofted the ball into the back corner of the end zone where it was pulled in by 6’6” tight end Matt Sharp. It was the first collegiate catch for the native of Great Britain who has spent some time on the team as a defensive end.
Matt Sharp makes his first catch memorable (Photo R&R Photography)Notes – This was the first game this season that West Chester scored a touchdown on its opening possession. The only other opening score this season was a field goal against Lock Haven…Kicker Blaise Toroni scored his first collegiate points with a PAT in the third quarter and a 25-yard field goal in the fourth…West Chester ran 76 offensive plays, but Cheyney caused negative yardage on ten of those plays…it was a tough day for usually sure-handed Anthony Brown who mishandled a punt return and later fumbled on offense which Cheyney scooped up and returned 66 yards for a touchdown…redshirt freshman Paul Dooley attempted and completed his first collegiate pass, an 11-yarder to Young.
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Tops Cheyney On Homecoming, 46-12
Cheyney Athletic Site - Defensive Score Not Enough as Football Falls at WCU
Daily Local News - A Sharp
Ch'aim Smith registers a 10-yard sack (Photo R&R Photography)
Jarel Elder dives in for the score (Photo R&R Photography)
Paul Dooley trots into the end zone (Photo R&R Photography)