The Quad

Issue date: 10/30/06 Section: Sports

For the third straight contest against the Warriors, the Golden Rams came out victorious with a score of 49-28. Five of the Golden Rams seven touchdowns were scored in the first half of the contest to add their 501 win since becoming a four year institution in 1927. Their 500 win came last week when the Golden Rams thumped the Kutztown Golden Bears.

The win improved the Golden Rams to 6-3 on the season and 4-1 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division. Coming into the contest, the Golden Rams were ranked 11 in the NCAA Divison II Northeast Region Poll, while the Warriors were ranked ninth. This key victory for the Golden Rams should propel them farther up the rankings list.

The Golden Rams came into Saturday's contest in the Poconos off of a shaky 49-47 win over Kutztown the week before. The Golden Ram were on the ball offensively this past Saturday. The Golden Rams suffocated the Warriors with their offensive attack, starting the first half with a 35-0 lead, dominating time of possession and forced turnovers. WCU ran 74 plays throughout the contest, compared to the 50 plays the Warriors ran. WCU finished the day with 482 offensive yards, throwing for 219 yards and running for 263 yards.

Sophomore Michael Washington, senior Brent Steinmetz and junior Bill Zwaan all had amazing appearances on Saturday. Zwaan completed 17 of 23 pass attempts for 213 yards, and four touchdowns. Steimetz ran for a season high of 161 yards, while Washington became the first WCU sophomore receiver to reach the 2000 career yards. He ranks 10 all-time in WCU history with 2058 yards. Washington finished the game with three touchdowns and six catches for 137 yards.

The Golden Rams had the opening drive of the game Saturday, but they were forced to punt. Luckily, ESU bungled the punt and the Golden Rams were able to recover the ball the ESU 22-yard line.

Just five plays later, Zwann connected with Washington for a six-yard touchdown to give the Golden Rams the first score of the day.

The Golden Rams defense halted the ESU offense on the following drive to go for 77 yards on eight plays to tally yet another touchdown. Again, it was Zwaan connecting with Washington to give the Golden Rams a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Golden Rams halted ESU again, this time on downs. The Golden Rams returned with a 67-yard drive, which ended with junior Brandan Hargrose's 15-yard touchdown run.

Continued...

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