Golden Ram Football Club: Game Report - West Chester 41

Sunday, October 27, 2024

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 attmept 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.