Homecoming 2005 was certainly one to remember for the West Chester University football team. Quarterback Bill Zwaan, Jr. threw for five touchdown passes en route to a dominating 63-20 Golden Rams victory over Mansfield Saturday afternoon.Zwaan’s 6 of 8 passing for 178 yards all came in the first half as he engineered scoring drives with ease, and helped the Golden Rams put the game out of reach by the end of the opening quarter. Saturday’s victory gives the Golden Rams a 6-2 overall record, but more important, a 4-0 standing in the PSAC East division.
The Golden Rams offense was in a groove from the moment it stepped on the field.
Zwaan launched a 62-yard pass to Michael Washington on the first play from scrimmage to open the scoring. On the Golden Rams second possession, Zwaan connected with Brandon Simmons for a 14-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0. The Golden Rams scored 49 first-half points, including another touchdown reception by Washington, who finished the day with three receptions for 113 yards and three touchdowns.
Runningback Brian Steinmetz rushed for 105 yards on just five carries in limited action, an average of 21 yards per carry. Steinmetz’s longest run was for 58 yards to help set up the Golden Rams second score of the game. Steinmetz also found the endzone on a 27-yard run in the first quarter.
Steinmetz handed over the rushing duties to Brandon Hargose in the second half, who contributed to the Golden Rams running game that posted 377 yards on 50 carries. Hargose scored three times and finished with 73 yards on the ground. The Golden Rams garnered 563 total net yards compared to Mansfield’s 228.
Mansfield’s quarterback John Hengehold threw three touchdown passes to Tyrone Robinson, Rodney Davis and Ozzie Mathis after the Golden Rams already had established a 35-point lead. Poohbear McNeal ran for 76 yards to lead Mansfield’s running game.
On the defensive side, Randy Reinhart had seven tackles to lead all players. Dave Montgomery and Clyde Hawthorne each had an interception.
Zwaan’s five touchdowns is a personal career best. In only two games starting under center, the sophomore has passed for eight touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Perhaps more impressive isthe performance of Washington, who eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark for the sixth time this season. The freshman leads all Golden Rams receivers with 12 touchdowns.
The 43-point victory over Mansfield (1-6), remarkably, is not the most lopsided win for the Golden Rams this season. Cheyney holds that honor after being shut out by WCU, 64-0, on Sept. 24.
The Golden Rams are now 34-0 all-time versus Mansfield.
In all 34 meetings, the Mounties have lost by seven points or less only twice. In 2001 and 2002, the Golden Rams won 9-7 and 14-7 in overtime, respectively.
The Golden Rams will conclude their home season schedule next Saturday when they host division rival East Stroudsburg at 6 p.m.