Millersville entered the contest averaging 417 total yards and 288 passing yards per game, and West Chester limited them to just 217 yards and 94 yards respectively. The Golden Rams also picked off four Marauder passes and held Millersville to just four of 12 on third down conversions. Couple that WCU defensive effort with a rejuvinated rushing attack, and the Golden Rams owned a 17 minute advantage in time of possession.
Nate Desmond and Connor Noble converge on a tackle for lossWest Chester opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Cooper Jordan took advantage of a Marauder busted coverage and found a wide open Robby Longo for a 46-yard touchdown. Earlier in the possession, Longo made a spectacular one-handed diving catch for 24 yards to convert a third down.
Seamus McCain is facemasked and A.J. Sanders is held (Photo Chuck Greco)In the second quarter, the Golden Rams went on a 14-play, 81-yard scoring drive that consumed eight minutes off the clock. On the possession, Juke Peaker rushed for 45 yards while Khalil Owens picked up seven yards - including the fourth-down, one-yard touchdown plunge.
Robby Longo had 3 catches for 81 yards and a TD (Photo Chuck Greco)Meanwhile, the Golden Ram defense forced punts on Millersville's first four possessions, allowing a total of 47 yards along the way. And when the Marauders later approached the end zone, their pass was intercepted at the one by Jamir Reyes. Unfortunately, it only delayed a Millersville touchdown, but it would be their only one of the day as West Chester took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
Khalil Owens emerges from the line for a big gain (Photo Chuck Greco)The Golden Ram defense was even better after intermission. They forced a three-and-out, a turnover on downs, and interceptions by Ronnell McCorn, Reyes again, and Shamilyn Joppy. Defensive end Seamus McCain had 6 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and a QB hurry. And the linebackers shined: Connor Noble (9 tackles, 1 TFL), Johnny Pergine (8 tackles, 1 pass breakup), Maurice Beverly (5 tackles, 1 pass breakup).
Jamir Reyes had two of WCU's four interceptions (Photo Chuck Greco)The West Chester offense did its part. Two possessions that ended with touchdown passes from Jordan to tight end Thatcher Miller, a 47-yard Rylan Zuk field goal and a one-yard Future Robertson touchdown run. West Chester's three running backs - Owens (13 carries, 87 yards), Peaker (8 carries, 45 yards) and Robertson (12 carries, 41 yards) - combined for 173 yards on the ground. In the passing game, while Jordan's completion rate wasn't great (15 of 30), he did throw for a season-high 285 yards and three touchdowns. Matthew Iuvara (4 catches, 85 yards) and Ivan Thorpe (5 catches, 60 yards) both made highlight reel catches in the game.
Maurice Beverly pressures the Ville QB into a mistake (Photo Chuck Greco)The most troubling part of this contest was the Golden Ram penalties - 11 for 128 yards. Of Millersville's 15 first downs, five came via West Chester penalties. Gifting an opponent that many yards is not going to be as easy to overcome against the higher quality opponents remaining on the Golden Rams' schedule.
Matt Iuvara makes a leaping grab (Photo Chuck Greco)
Zack Gillen had 27 yards on two punt returns.West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Walks Away From Millersville in Second Half, 38-7
Millersville Athletic Site - West Chester pulls away from Millersville with second half surge
Golden Rams Review - Photo Album - Millersville
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