The best way to describe the first half was an embarassing disaster, and it was an all-around team effort. The WCU offense went three-and-out to open the game. Then the Golden Ram defense allowed Millersville to convert four third downs on its opening drive, including jumping offisde on a third-and-five. After the defense made a goal-line stand, Anthony Delle Donne was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct giving West Chester the ball at their own one. Rather than merely pushing the pile forward to buy some room or throwing over the top, the first play from scrimmage called for a handoff five yards deep in the end zone which resulted in a safety for the Marauders. The subsequent free kick gave Millersville a short field which they easily navigated 43 yards for a touchdown to stretch their lead to 9-0.
The Golden Ram offense got one first down, but soon were forced to punt. West Chester's defense did get a stop, but Millersville's punt glanced off a West Chester blocker at midfield and the Marauders recovered. This time Millersville finished the drive and took a 16-0 lead into the locker room. At the break, the Marauders held advantages in first downs (13-3), third down conversions (8 of 12 to 1 of 4), rushing (130-12), plays (46-16) and time of possession (24:54-5:06).
In the second half, the West Chester defense dominated while the offense slowly warmed up. Quarterback Colin O'Sullivan (19 of 29, 217 yards, 1 TD, 1 int) completed passes to Dylan McKenzie (4 catches, 77 yards), Future Robertson (5 catches, 32 yards) , and Ryan Johnston (2 catches, 10 yards) for first downs. The Golden Rams had first-and-goal from the six, but like last week, "goal to go" is a challenge for this team and West Chester settled for a Tommy Pajic 25-yard field goal. But at least the Golden Rams were on the board and seemed to have some momentum.
After the West Chester defense forced another quick three-and-out, the Golden Rams reached the Millersville 12 after a 38-yard pitch and catch from O'Sullivan to McKenzie. But O'Sullivan's next pass into the end zone was intercepted thwarting a trip into the red zone. Near the end of the third quarter, a Millersville running back got what appeared to be a favorable spot for a first down. The West Chester sideline reacted poorly and was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Fortunately, the Golden Ram defense stood tall and forced a Ville 41-yard feld goal attempt which failed. And that seemed to end the Marauders hopes.
O'Sullivan led the West Chester offense 76 yards in four minutes, completing passes to McKenzie, Reese Clark (2 catches, 24 yards), Blake Thomas (2 catches, 27 yards), and Will Silverman (2 catches, 24 yards) capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mic Johnson (2 catches, 23 yards, 1 TD). The wave of momentum grew. On the ensuing kickoff, Rondell Bradley made the tackle at the Millersville 12 and the defense only allowed one first down giving West Chester the ball at midfield with five minutes remaining.
Now the first downs were rolling for the Golden Ram offense - a 10-yard pass to McKenzie, an 11-yard run for Johnson, a 10-yard pass to Robertson, and a 13-yard pass to Johnson. This time with first-and-goal from the three, Johnson (9 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD) bowled his way into the end zone and Rylan Zuk's PAT gave West Chester a 17-16 lead. The Golden Ram defense then allowed a total of two yards over Millersville's final two possessions in the contest and the victory was secured.
Since Millersville ran 75 plays, there were a lot of tackles for the West Chester defense. Linebackers Ricardo Delgado (12 tackles, 1 PBU) and Luke Trunell (12 tackles) led the way with Jack Fry (10 tackles), Jamir Reyes (9 tackles) and Elijah Motley (9 tackles, 1 PBU) making significant contributions. Defensive lineman Debrick Johnson (4 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 QBH) continues to be a force up front while Eddie Bowen registered a 6-yard sack on Millersville's penultimate possession.
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