The West Chester Golden Rams ended their playoff streak in the national semi-fi nals Saturday, Dec. 4 in a loss to the Valdosta State (Ga.) Blazers 45-21. The Blazers had a 31-7 lead at halftime, which turned into a 45-21 victory. The Blazers will travel to the NCAA Division II Finals to play for the title next Saturday. Senior quarterback Bob Findora completed 13 of 25 pass attempts for 249 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Junior wide receiver Brandon Simmons fi nished the game with fi ve catches for 106 yards and one touchdown. Senior wide receiver Corey DeForrest fi nished with four catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns. The Golden Rams fi nished the season setting a school record with 11 victories, breaking the previous record of 10 games set in 1947 and tied in 1967. The Golden Rams also set the mark with 15 games played, and 10 road games. Their 11th win was over East Stroudsburg University, 48-38, on Saturday, Nov. 27 in the national quarterfi nals, duringwhich ESU was defeated for the second time in one month in East Stroudsburg. During that game, Simmons caught two touchdown passes from Findora, and sophomore running back Osagie Osunde rushed into the end zone for three touchdowns. Simmons tied the four-touchdown reception in the win for the eighth time in school history. He fi nished the game with 180 yards, the second-highest total of his career, and his seventh 100-yard game in the 2004 campaign. Osunde had 29 carries for 144 yards, three touchdowns and accounted for 256 all-purpose yards. DeForrest fi nished withfi ve carries for 112 yards.
This marked the first time since Oct. 3, 1998 that the Golden Rams claimed a pair of 100-yard receivers in one game. Findora fi nished the game with an amazing 18 completions of 27 pass attempts for his career high of 358 yards, and four touchdown receptions.
This year was the first time WCU has captured the Northeast Region crown. This was also the first time in 10 years, since 1994, that the Golden Rams have made an appearance in the playoffs. This was also the fi rst year the Golden Rams posted a victory in the post-season.
They actually posted three; one over LIUC. W. 35-3, one over Shippensburg 33-28 and one over East Stroudsburg University 48- 38.