The Quad

Issue date: 11/6/06 Section: Sports

Three days after Mansfield University football received the self imposed death penalty, the Mountaineers visited Farrell Stadium, home of the Golden Rams and the highest rated offense in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The final road game in the 115 year history of Mansfield Mountaineer football went just as can be expected against the juggernaut Golden Rams.

In these parts, senior day overshadowed the breaking news coming out of Central Pennsylvania. Head Coach Bill Zwaan planned on sending the most successful senior class in the history of this university out in memorable fashion. It was apparent midway through the first quarter that Senior Day 2006 would go down as one to be remembered for years to come.

"It's great to be a part of [this class], there's Osagie [Osunde], Steinmetz, Maynard," said wide receiver Eric Ruffenach. "I actually transferred from Widener with Coach Zwaan when he came over and it was the best decision I've ever made."

Mansfield attempted and recovered an onside kick to open the game, but it was all downhill from there for the Mounties. Two plays later Joe Cefalo forced a fumble which was recovered by Golden Rams freshman linebacker Greg Smith, who was in the lineup replacing the injured Jimmy Lewis. West Chester took possession of the ball, and the game might as well have ended right there. "I don't think that we started out on the right foot, we probably should have expected [the onside kick], but we knew we would be able to move the football in this one and that's what we did," said Zwaan.

On the first offensive play of the game Bill Zwaan Jr. spotted Mike Washington deep down the field for a 35 yard gain. Two plays later the PSAC's most efficient passer hit junior receiver Cody Clark in the back of the endzone for a three yard touchdown catch. Zwaan Jr. would play just over a quarter of football, amassing a perfect quarterback rating in the process, going 5-5 for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

When senior quarterback Matt Burdalski checked in early in the second quarter, the passing game took a back seat to a punishing rushing attack featuring heavy doses of senior captain Bret Steinmetz, Brandon Hargrose and Dean Millard, and seven other Golden Rams toted the rock Saturday afternoon. Even Andy Groce found paydirt in the third quarter. Steinmetz garnered 79 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries in his final regular season game at Farrell Stadium, a fitting sendoff for one of the most respected athletes to pass through the halls of this university in recent years.

More important then the 44-0 final score is the fact that in all phases of the game, this team dominated an inferior opponent, and appears to have the momentum necessary entering next week's crucial showdown at Slippery Rock. West Chester entered this week ranked seventh in the Northeast Region, with the top six assured berths in the Division II playoff tournament. Following Saturday's impressive shutout victory over the Mountaineers, a win next Saturday will all but guarantee this club its third consecutive playoff appearance.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools