The Quad

Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: Sports

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

On Saturday, the #12 West Chester University Golden Rams (8-1), playing without Osagie Osunde and Brandon Hargrose, faced an unfamiliar opponent in the St. Joseph's College (Ind.) Pumas, however,when it seemed like things were not going their way, WCU was able to find a way out of trouble to defeat the Pumas 34-20.

From the opening kickoff it looked like West Chester was going to be able to manhandle St. Josephs. D'Andre Webb returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back because of a holding penalty. As if that wasn't enough, on that first possession, as West Chester was driving inside the red zone, Bill Zwaan Jr. was picked off by Pumas defensive back Deshon McClendon to end what seemed to be a nearly flawless opening drive.

"We were inside the twenty three times today, but we couldn't score. We had two fumbles and I threw an interception," Zwaan Jr. said of the turnovers in the red zone. "We can't turn the ball over especially versus a good team like Califonia [next week]. I think we have bad luck or something."

West Chester's defense continued their strong play. The Rams did not allow the Pumas to do anything on their opening possession and Mike Walter intercepted Anthony Lindsey's pass deep inside Pumas territory.

"The defense played great. The kickoff return and late touchdown were against the second group," Coach Bill Zwaan said of his team's defensive prowess throughout Saturday's game, "We really played great defense throughout the whole game and in particular in the third quarter when we needed it to get the score separated."

After the Walter interception, the Rams were in great position to put the first points on the board as they started at the Pumas 10-yard line. But on the first play, Pat McDermott ran up the middle, but fumbled and Lance Burns recovered to end what again could have been a scoring drive for the Golden Rams.

Midway through the second quarter, the fans witnessed history. Zwaan hit Mike Washington on a short 12-yard pass, which helped the junior pass Kevin Ingram's career receiving yardage mark of 3,159 yards. With over one year remaining in his West Chester career, Washington could set this record at a high mark that may never be passed.

"It's great. He has another year left so it's going to be his record forever probably," Zwaan Jr. said of his favorite target breaking the school's all-time career receiving yardage record. "It's great for him. He's setting all kinds of records. He is a great receiver."

Continued...

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