For the third straight contest against the Warriors, the Golden Rams came out victorious with a score of 49-28. Five of the Golden Rams seven touchdowns were scored in the first half of the contest to add their 501 win since becoming a four year institution in 1927. Their 500 win came last week when the Golden Rams thumped the Kutztown Golden Bears. The win improved the Golden Rams to 6-3 on the season and 4-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division. Coming into the contest, the Golden Rams were ranked 11 in the NCAA Divison II Northeast Region Poll, while the Warriors were ranked ninth. This key victory for the Golden Rams should propel them farther up the rankings list.
The Golden Rams came into Saturday’s contest in the Poconos off of a shaky 49-47 win over Kutztown the week before. The Golden Ram were on the ball offensively this past Saturday. The Golden Rams suffocated the Warriors with their offensive attack, starting the first half with a 35-0 lead, dominating time of possession and forced turnovers. WCU ran 74 plays throughout the contest, compared to the 50 plays the Warriors ran. WCU finished the day with 482 offensive yards, throwing for 219 yards and running for 263 yards.
Sophomore Michael Washington, senior Brent Steinmetz and junior Bill Zwaan all had amazing appearances on Saturday. Zwaan completed 17 of 23 pass attempts for 213 yards, and four touchdowns. Steimetz ran for a season high of 161 yards, while Washington became the first WCU sophomore receiver to reach the 2000 career yards. He ranks 10 all-time in WCU history with 2058 yards. Washington finished the game with three touchdowns and six catches for 137 yards.
The Golden Rams had the opening drive of the game Saturday, but they were forced to punt. Luckily, ESU bungled the punt and the Golden Rams were able to recover the ball the ESU 22-yard line.
Just five plays later, Zwann connected with Washington for a six-yard touchdown to give the Golden Rams the first score of the day.
The Golden Rams defense halted the ESU offense on the following drive to go for 77 yards on eight plays to tally yet another touchdown. Again, it was Zwaan connecting with Washington to give the Golden Rams a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Golden Rams halted ESU again, this time on downs. The Golden Rams returned with a 67-yard drive, which ended with junior Brandan Hargrose’s 15-yard touchdown run.
The Warriors tried to get on board, but were once again halted on downs by the Golden Rams at the WCU 30. It was almost a dj vu moment as the Golden Rams responded with another touchdown as junior Dean Millard rushed for 17 yards right into the endzone for the fourth touchdown of the game.
Again, ESU tried to set up a quick score with the two minutes left in the first half, but junior Joe Cefalo of WCU made a diving interception at the ESU 27 to set up the Golden Rams fifth and final touchdown of the first half with just 41 seconds left.
The five touchdown deficit must have infuriated the Warriors, as they used a good kick return and 48-yard scoring drive to finally reach the scoreboard, slicing the Golden Rams lead to 35-7 with only seven seconds left in the first half.
The second half of the contest wasn’t as exciting for the Golden Rams, as they only tallied two more touchdowns. The Warriors started the day second half with the ball, but senior Nicholai Jablokov tipped and intercepted a screen pass to set Steinmetz up with a touchdown only two plays later.
After the Warrior tallied another touchdown in the third quarter, the Golden Rams countered with their final touchdown of the day, as Zwaan connected with Washington for the third time of the day with a 29-yard touchdown throw with only 8:50 left in the contest.
ESU got the last word of the day with a touchdown with 2:35 left in the game, but their efforts were fruitless as WCU walked away with the win.
The Golden Rams will host Millersville for their final home game of the regular season next Saturday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.