The Griffin football team hit the road for the first time this season when they made the trip across the state to take on #18 West Chester on Saturday afternoon.
SHU trailed just 2-0 after the first quarter but the Rams scored 17 points in the second quarter in route to a 29-0 victory over the Griffins. SHU drops to 0-2 on the season while the Rams improve to 3-0.
The teams exchanged punts on the first four possessions of the first quarter. The last punt set up the first score of the game. The Rams were able to down the ball on the one yard line sitting up a scoring play. The Griffins were tackled in the end zone on their first play of the series for a safety, giving the Rams a 2-0 lead. West Chester took the 2-0 lead into the second quarter.
On the sixth play of the second quarter, the Rams scored from 14 yards out to take a 9-0 lead. After the Griffins were forced to punt, the Rams drove to the SHU four yard line before settling for a 22 yard field goal and a 12-0 lead. With 1:18 to play in the half, the Rams scored from 35 yards out to take a 19-0 lead into the halftime break.
Both teams punted on their first possessions of the second half. West Chester drove 56 yards on seven plays to extend their lead to 26-0 midway thru the third quarter. On their next possession the Griffins drove to the WCU 33 yard line but an interception ended the drive.
Jayden Emberton-Gaines forced a turnover with a sack on fourth down and
Justice Griffin recovered to give SHU the ball late in the quarter.
On their first possession of the fourth quarter the Griffins moved the ball inside the WCU 20 yard line. A 23 yard run from
Chris Jones moved the ball into the red zone but the drive stalled and SHU turned the ball over on downs. Emberton-Gaines intercepted a pass and returned it to the WCU 26 yard line. The Griffins could not move the ball and turned it over on downs. The Rams hit a 29 yard field goal late in the half for the final score of the game.
Michael Elardo caught two passes for 37 yards.
Narrio Walks finished with 12 tackles including two for loss. Emberton-Gaines had 10 tackles with a sack, forced fumble and interception.
SHU opens PSAC West play next weekend when they host Slippery Rock.
