Box Score Box Score
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Mike Mattei threw for 318 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Rondell White rushed for78 yards and three more scores as visiting West Chester University downed host Kutztown University, 45-24, in a PSAC East football showdown Saturday afternoon at University Field.
West Chester (3-1, 2-0 PSAC East) remains unbeaten in conference play and is 3-0 against Division II competition on the year. Kutztown (1-3, 0-2) has now dropped its last three contests, including both of its league tilts so far this year. The Golden Rams 3-1 start is its best since 2007 when they opened 8-1.
Mattei, fresh off a co-offensive player of the week citation for his 358 yards and six TDs against Millersville last week, completed 19 of his 26 passes on the day for 318 yards and a pair of scores. He did not throw an interception. Mattei has completed 65.9 percent of his passes this season for 953 yards and 11 TDs against just one interception. His quarterback rating has skyrocketed to 200.41.
Mattei hooked up with fellow senior Jim Kelly for a 29-yard score with three minutes left in the first quarter that knotted things at 7-7. His other TD strike was from 38 yards out to Adam Dempsey, who registered his first career TD catch, and put the Rams on top, 24-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter.
White plunged over the goal line from one yard out four minutes before halftime to open up a 17-7 advantage for the visitors. His two TD runs exactly two minutes apart in the fourth quarter put the game away for the Golden Rams. Those runs were from 4 yards and 8 yards out.
Freshman defensive end Andrew Cohen returned a fumble four yards for West Chester’s other touchdown, and junior place-kicker Shawn Leo equaled his career high with a 48-yard field goal in the second quarter.
The Golden Rams’ defense allowed just two touchdowns and forced three turnovers. Sophomore LB Ronell Williams registered a game-high 12 tackles, including one sack, and intercepted a pass. Al-Hajj Shabazz intercepted a pass and posted six tackles. Matt Carroll had seven tackles and forced the fumble that Cohen scooped up and scored on. Mike Labor notched 10 tackles in the game as well.
For the second week in a row, West Chester’s opponent returned the second half opening kickoff for a touchdown. Millersville brought back the second half kick 97 yards for a score last week at Farrell Stadium. This week, Kutztown returned the second half kickoff 98 yards for a score.
Kelly caught five passes for 100 yards, all in the first half, to lead West Chester receivers in reception yards. LaRonn Lee finished with a team-high six grabs for 70 yards.
Kutztown quarterback Josh Luckenbaugh, subbing for the injured Kevin Morton, finished 36-for-53 for 306 yards and one TD. He threw two interceptions.
NOTES: West Chester ended a personal two-year losing streak to Kutztown with the win Saturday … Sr., QB Mike Mattei threw for over 300 yards for the second week in a row and fourth time in his career … Mattei’s 11 TD passes is one shy of his single-season high of 12 that he threw in 2010 … Jr., PK Shawn Leo is now a perfect 20-for-20 on the season in PATs … he takes over fifth place all-time at WCU with 91 PATs … Leo’s 48-yard field goal ties his career best … it is the third time in his career that he has converted a 48-yard field goal … Sr., WR Jim Kelly notched his first 100-yard receiving game in his career … So., WR Erick Brundidge’s 13 receptions on the season equals his total from a year ago … Jr. RB Rondell White’s three TD rushes were the first rushing TDs for the Golden Rams since game one against Delaware … they also marked a new single-game high for the local product … So., LB Ronell Williams intercepted his second pass of the season … he leads the team in tackles with 40 … he has also been responsible for three forced turnovers (2 INTs; 1 FF).
