West Chester Football Falls to Kutztown, 20-14

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Jr., QB Andrew Derr (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Dublin) was sacked with five seconds remaining with the ball at the Kutztown 24-yard line to seal the victory for Kutztown, 20-14, at University Field at Andre Reed Stadium Saturday night. This victory marks the first time that the Golden Bears (2-3, 2-0 PSAC) have defeated West Chester (2-3, 1-1 PSAC) since 2011. Derr finished the game 21-32 for 248 yards, 2 TDs, and three interceptions for the Golden Rams. However, the deciding factor in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference matchup was West Chester's inability to score in the red-zone, only capitalizing on one of three opportunities. The Golden Bears jumped on West Chester early as R-Fr., QB Collin DiGablo connected with Kellen Williams for a pair of touchdowns to take a 13-0 advantage in the second quarter. The Golden Rams would answer as Jr., WR Tyler Karpinski (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Twp.) reeled in a Derr pass from 40-yards out. Kutztown responded right before the half with a six-year Darrell Scott touchdown run to put them ahead 20-7. In the third quarter, Derr connected with senior Jim Hurley (Wayne, Pa. / St. Joseph's Prep) for a 10-yard touchdown to narrow the Golden Bear lead. Hurley finished with four catches for 46 yards and that touchdown. With the ball on their own ten-yard line with 48 seconds remaining, Derr managed to hit a streaking Jordan Banks (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp.) to put the Golden Rams in striking distance with that 50-yard connection. However, Kutztown's defense would prevail with a sack by Tajier Jefferson and Ronny Tomasetti to capture the conference victory. Jr., RB Jarel Elder (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) managed to put up 132 all-purpose yards with 108 yards on the ground, six receiving, and another 18 in kickoff returns. Banks lead the squad in receiving, reeling in seven receptions for 92 yards. Defensively, West Chester shutout the Golden Bears offense in the second half to give the offense a shot to win the game. Leading the Golden Rams in tackles with ten and a forced fumble was defensive back Shaquille James (Philadelphia, Pa. / West Catholic). Racking up nine tackles and 1.5 tackle for loss was linebacker Steven Denby (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter). For the game, the Golden Rams totaled 405 yards for the game, which snapped a three-game streak of at least 500 yards of offense in a game. West Chester returns to John A. Farrell Stadium next Saturday for a PSAC match against Shippensburg University with kickoff set for 12:05 p.m.