In the first 30 minutes, the Griffins managed just 97 yards and four first downs while not converting on any of their five third downs. Conversely, Jordan threw for 144 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 79 yards and two more scores. Both of his touchdown passes came on scrambles, a 20-yard dump-and-run to Future Robertson and the other a 41-yard catch-and-run to Matthew Iuvara. Iuvara finished with four catches for 84 yards. West Chester took a comfortable 27-3 into the locker room.
The second half was quite a different ball game. After the WCU forced their third three-and-out of the game, the Golden Ram offense started at their own 12-yard line and got rather conservative. Five straight running plays moved the ball to the 21 and on third-and-14, Cooper was flushed out of the pocket and heaved a prayer to midfield that was miraculously caught by Ivan Thorpe (3 catches, 68 yards). West Chester would eventually end the series on downs. The situation turned darker when Seton Hill went 57 yards in less than three minutes to close the score to 27-9. The Golden Ram offense got into field position, but Rylan Zuk, who missed a PAT earlier in the game, slid his 40-yard field goal attempt wide right.
Cooper Jordan spins away from tacklers en route to the end zone Linebacker Ricardo Delgado broke Wes Chester out of the funk with an 18-yard strip sack that Nate Desmond attempted to scoop-and-score. Although Seton Hill retained possession, the Griffins were forced to punt for the sixth time in the game. From midfield, the Golden Ram offense went three-and-out on three straight running plays. After a first half that had four consecutive touchdown drives, the second half possessions were turnover on downs, missed field goal, punt after a three-and-out.
Future Robertson eludes Griffin tackles (Photo Chuck Greco)Once again Seton Hill was moving the ball well until redshirt freshman Miles Goodwin picked off a pass and returned it 20 yards. That eventually led to a Jordan to Robby Longo 20-yard touchdown pass to finalize West Chester's scoring.
Johnny Pergine wraps up a Griffin ball carrier (Photo Chuck Greco)For a team that struggled to finish games last season - three of the first four losses came in the final minute of play - the second half of this game was reminiscent of 2024 except today's first half lead was too large. In the final possession of the game, Seton Hill's touchdown went 64 yards in less than a minute, aided in part by 30 yards of WCU penalties, and that was with the defensive starters still on the field.
Linebacker Connor Noble led the defense with 12 tackles and a quarterback hurry that led to Goodwin's interception. Fellow linebacker Johnny Pergine made nine tackles and registered a six-yard sack. Running back Khalil Owens had 38 yards on 11 carries. Punter Dylan Shank averaged 40.5 yards on his only two punts, but dropped one at 10 and the other at the 6. Senior safety Jimmy Wright left the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury.
Nate Desmond and Connor Noble put a stop to this play (Photo Chuck Greco)
Ricardo Delgado sacks the QB for an 18-yard loss (Photo Chuck Greco)West Chester Athletic Site - Jordan Leads West Chester Past Seton Hill in Home Opener, 34-16
Seton Hill Athletic Site - SHU Drops PSAC Crossover With West Chester
Daily Local News - Dynamic Jordan accounts for 300-plus yards, 5 TDs in WCU’s win
Golden Rams Review - Photo Album - Seton Hill
No comments:
Post a Comment