West Chester defensive back Nydair Rouse had his third pick six of the year in the Golden Rams win over Millersville.

West Chester, PA – It was a picture perfect afternoon for college football at John A. Farrell Stadium on the campus of West Chester University. Temperatures were in the low 60’s and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and with the fall foliage at its peak, the scene should have been captured in a painting. The only problem was the Golden Rams at 6-3 overall and 6-1 in the PSAC East were eliminated form making a second-straight appearance in the league title game, a 20-14 loss on October 1 to Kutztown meant West Chester was playing for pride against one-win Millersville.

The Golden Rams jumped on the Marauders early in the first quarter, Jarel Elder scored on the first play of their second possession. The 38-yard run, was set up by a sack by George Shipp, who took down Millersville quarterback J.J. Paige at the two-yard line forcing a punt.

The defense set up the next touchdown, a 34-yard pass from Andrew Deer to Jordan Banks, as well. Paige was intercepted by Blaise Schieler, who took the ball back 38 yards to the West Chester 49 and Deer and Banks connected on a fourth-and-four play for the score.

At this point the Golden Rams offense stagnated, they turned the ball over on downs once and fumbled twice. However the defense didn’t let up, in the three possessions the Marauders had after the Golden Rams took the 14-0 lead, they gained just 24 yards and got only one first down. Late in the first half another interception, this time it was Kevin Malone picking off a Blake Cahill pass, led to three points on a 27-yard field goal by Brendan Paulison.

On the ensuing possession, the Golden Rams defense put to rest any chance that the Marauders had to get back in the game. Nydair Rouse intercepted Paige and raced 79 yards to score as the first half expired.

“I feel I’m the energy of the team,” said Rouse, who has three interceptions on the year – all returned for touchdowns. “So, I bring a lot of life to the team. They were all excited.”

It showed in the second half, Tyler Karpinski caught a 37-yard pass from Deer to cap a 97-yard drive. Elder scored twice on runs of 10 and 25 yards and Mike Class finished a drive of 95 yards with a one-yard run.

“The first half we didn’t finish drives,” said Elder. “We had turnovers, I had a fumble, and not making blocks and things that caused drives to be halted. In the third quarter, we just sharpened it up.”

It all added up to a 52-0 West Chester win.

“I was really happy for the defense that they hung in there and got that shutout,” said Golden Rams head coach Bill Zwaan whose team has won five in a row.

West Chester (7-3, 6-1 PSAC) finishes the season at Clarion.

Email Rock Hoffman at Rock@footballstories.com