Box Score Box Score
CHEYNEY, Pa. – West Chester University converted two costly third-quarter turnovers into touchdowns to come away with a 23-7 victory over host Cheyney University on a very windy, but sunny, Saturday afternoon in front of a homecoming crowd of 3,689 at O’Shields-Stevenson Stadium.
West Chester (4-3, 3-1 PSAC East) got an interception from Bob Sabol and a fumble recovery on a kickoff from Matt Colyar that they turned into 14 points to overcome homestanding Cheyney (1-6, 0-4).
Cheyney’s Marcus Jones scored on a 5-yard run early in the second half, and the Wolves’ defense forced a three-and-out for West Chester’s offense on its ensuing drive, before the hosts began a 10-play drive that looked like they were going to take the lead. However, Sabol picked off Chris Anderson’s under-thrown pass at West Chester’s 22-yard line to breathe new life into the Golden Rams.
West Chester turned the tables on Cheyney by walking 84 yards on 11 plays, capped by senior tight end Alex Tosi’s first career touchdown reception with 12:55 left to play, giving the Rams a 16-7 advantage. Cheyney’s Kemuel Wright fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Colyar dove on the loose ball at Cheyney’s 17-yard line. Five plays later, Matt Carroll hit Tim Keyser from nine yards out with the junior wideout’s team-leading fourth TD reception of the year that made it a 23-7 game.
Following a scoreless first quarter, Rondell White (66 yards rushing) scored on a 1-yard run, and Shawn Leo nailed a 30-yard field goal, in the second quarter to stake West Chester to its 9-0 lead at halftime.
Cheyney looked as though it would take the early lead in the first 15 minutes of the game when Jones busted off a 74-yard run, the longest play from scrimmage all year by the Wolves, down to the West Chester 2-yard line. Ronell Williams tripped up Jones with a diving shoe-string tackle that saved a touchdown. That drive ended with Nahum Purdie fumbling at the goal line on third down. Shawn Krautzel forced the ball loose right on the near sideline by the end zone pylon. Mike Lonergan, scooped up the loose ball and returned it to the 45-yard line as the Golden Rams dodged another bullet.
West Chester returns home from its three-game road swing next Saturday to face No. 2 Bloomsburg in a battle for the division lead. Saturday is Homecoming at West Chester University and a big crowd is expected. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m. at John A. Farrell Stadium. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and expect delays.
NOTES: West Chester defeated cross-town rival Cheyney, 23-7, Saturday ... it marked the 20th straight win in the overall series, which now stands at 43-2-1 ... Cheyney has not beaten West Chester on the field since 1979 ... WCU forfeited the 1991 contest due to an ineligible player ... Sr. TE Alex Tosi caught his first career TD pass in the win ... WCU weaved three Cheyney turnovers into 20 points ... WCU has a combined 37 points off turnovers in its last two games - both wins ... QB Matt Carroll did not throw an interception in the game ... he has not thrown an INT in 89 attempts this fall ... West Chester's leading rusher against Cheyney (Rondell White) had 66 yards rushing ... however, WCU still rushed for 200 yards as a team ... Anthony McCloskey led the team in tackles with seven ... he was also credited with a QB hurry ... Ronell Williams had six stops.
