Box Score ERIE, Pa. - Mercyhurst QB Brendan Boylan scored on an 8-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-3 with 52 seconds left to lift host Mercyhurst to a 37-35 victory over visiting West Chester at rain-soaked Tullio Field Saturday afternoon.
West Chester (0-2) intercepted the ensuing point-after attempt pass, after Mercyhurst's (2-0) holder dropped the ball on the kick attempt, and returned it for what appeared to be a game-tying two-point defensive conversion score. However, a block in the back on the return by
Kevin Duggan (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks West) negated the two points.
The Golden Rams then drove 49 yards on seven plays in just 46 seconds on their final drive of the game. However, a field goal attempt from 35 yards out with 1.8 seconds to go was wide right, giving the Lakers the win.
Clinging to a 35-31 lead late in the fourth quarter, West Chester CB
Ted Patton (Wilmington, Del./McKean) intercepted a Boylan pass in the end zone with 3:46 to play in the game. However, on the team's ensuing possession, the Golden Rams were whistled for a personal foul on 2nd-and 15, and
Pat Moriarty (Gladwyne, Pa./Harriton) was sacked back at the Rams' 6-yard line on 3rd-and 30. West Chester was forced to punt. Unfortunately, the Rams' punt went off the side of the punter's foot in the wet and rainy conditions and traveled just nine yards where Mercyhurst took over at West Chester's 15-yard line.
West Chester held a 35-31 lead going into halftime. Mercyhurst's QB scramble in the final minute of the game was the only score of the second half as the last 30 minutes were played in a driving rain storm.
West Chester's best chance to score in the second half, outside of the field goal attempt to end the game, came with 7:51 left in the third quarter. However, Mercyhurst stopped the Golden Rams on three straight runs inside the 1-yard line, including a 4th-and-Goal attempt.
The Golden Rams' offense seemed to be unstoppable in the first half, reaching pay dirt on four straight drives. The problem was that the Lakers scored points, including four TDs, on five of their seven first-half possessions. The first 30 minutes were a veritable shootout between a red-shirt senior QB, riding a seven-game winning streak entering the contest (Boylan), and a red-shirt sophomore QB making just his second career start.
Moriarty went 12-for-27 for 272 yards and a pair of TDs.
Jarel Elder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) rushed for a team high 65 yards. Seven different receivers caught a pass from Moriarty. Both passes caught by
Jim Hurley (Wayne, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) resulted in touchdowns.
Duggan led all tacklers for West Chester with eight stops, including five solo.
Andrew Cohen (Holland, Pa./Council Rock South) made six stops, including two for a loss, and forced a pair of fumbles. He also was credited with a pair of QB hurries.
West Chester returns home next Saturday afternoon for a 1 p.m. kickoff against PSAC West foe Seton Hill. It is Family Day on campus as well as Hall of Fame Day. West Chester University's Athletics Hall of Fame will welcome four new individuals into the Hall of Fame, along with the 1979 Women's Lacrosse squad that won the USWILCA national championship.
