Game Report - West Chester 38 - Shippensburg 28

As has been customary all season, the Golden Rams got off to a sluggish start. At halftime, Shippensburg (1-5, 1-2) led the yardage battle 217-84, and on the scoreboard 14-7. But an explosive 24-point third quarter gave West Chester (4-2, 2-1) a 31-14 lead and they would go on to win 38-28 on a sunny, but blustery afternoon.

Ricardo Delgado lays a hit and forces a fumble (Photo Joan Gillen)

After Cooper Jordan (7 of 12, 149 yards, 1 TD, 1 int, 16 carries, 45 yards) and the offense registered -8 yards of offense in the first quarter, Ethan Kohler (6 of 10, 75 yards, 1 TD, 4 carries, 21 yards) was inserted in the second period. Although the drive stalled at midfield, Kohler showed his running skills as he picked up a pair of first downs. On his second drive, he connected with tight end Thatcher Miller for 28 yards, and later lofted a 26-yard touchdown pass to Brody McAndrew.

Brody McAndrew wins the jump ball in the end zone (Photo Joan Gillen)

In the waning minutes of the first half, the Golden Ram defense forced a punt to give the offense one last chance to score with 41 seconds left. A nine-yard Kohler to Julian Jordan (2 catches, 12 yards) pass coupled with a facemask penalty, moved the ball out to midfield for one final play. In a questionable coaching move, Cooper Jordan, who had yet to attempt a pass, was inserted and he promptly threw underneath and was picked off. It's hard to imagine that Kohler wouldn't have given WCU a better shot at a Hail Mary touchdown or potential defensive pass interference penalty.

D'Shaun Seals leaves a wake of Raider tacklers (Photo Joan Gillen)

The second half opened with a bang when Jordan blistered a 15-yard pass over the middle and D'Shaun Seals (3 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD) made a leaping catch and raced past six Shippensburg defenders for a 58-yard touchdown. That opened the flood gates. The WCU defense forced a three-and-out and five plays later Daquan Robinson (6 carries, 29 yards, 1 TD) scored from ten yards out. The Golden Ram defense forced another quick three-and-out but this time the Golden Rams managed just a 34-yard Sean Henry field goal.

Sean Henry nails a 34-yard field goal (Photo Joan Gillen)

Shippensburg looked to break the cycle and managed a first-and-goal at the West Chester four-yard line. But Debrick Johnson twice stopped the Raiders short of the goal line. On third down, Maurice Beverly forced a fumble, recovered and rumbled 99 yards for the touchdown to put West Chester up 31-14. While much attention will go to Beverly's scoop-and-score, it's important to note that three plays prior, it was Victor Pena that made the touchdown-saving tackle on a 57-yard run to force Shippensburg to run those additional plays from inside the five.

Maurice Beverly on his 99-yard scoop and score (Photo Joan Gillen)

Jekyll and Hyde donned the purple and gold on defense. To what was one of the worst offenses in the conference, West Chester surrendered 479 yards of offense and got gashed nine plays for 20 or more yards. However, they also forced four three-and-outs, registered five sacks, two interceptions and scored on the 99-yard fumble recovery. Besides the touchdown, Beverly made eight solo tackles. Obi Anyatonwu (6 solo TKL, 3 PBU), Connor Noble (9 TKL, 1.5 sacks), Ayyub Dail (5 TKL, 2 sacks) and Charley Mininger (4 TKL, 1 sack) also made an impact on defense.

Charley Mininger registers a tackle for loss (photo Joan Gillen)

• The Golden Rams were once again without running back Trey Blair and Jayden Williams left hand was heavily wrapped. After missing the past two games, Shane Mosley (1 TKL, 1 int, 1 PBU) was back in the West Chester secondary.
• The secondary continues to be a challenge from a personnel perspective. Without Kaleb Brown at the game, Sterlen Barr, Jr. moved to safety while Victor Pena and Izaiah McPherson rotated at Barr's usual corner spot. Barr sparkled in the new role, making hard hits on his three tackles and returning an interception 33 yards.
• With the whipping winds, Sean Henry didn't have a great day punting (38 yd avg), but he converted all five PAT's and knifed a 34-yard field goal through the wind and the uprights. He also boomed five of his seven kickoffs for touchbacks.
• Is there nothing McAndrew can't do? So far this season, the New Hampshire transfer has played safety (6 TKL, 1 TFL), wildcat quarterback (5 carries, 16 yards, 1 TD) and receiver (2 catches, 27 yards, 1 TD). And he's always out there on special teams.

Sortable Box Score    Coaches Box Score

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Second Half Effort Tops Shippensburg, 38-28

Shippensburg Athletic Site - Third-quarter swing sinks Football in loss to West Chester, 38-28

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Shippensburg

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