Bloomsburg University Downs West Chester to Advance in NCAA Playoffs

BLOOMSBURG---Quarterback Dan Latorre (Elysburg/Southern Columbia) passed for 190 yards and three touchdowns and defensive back Jesse Cooper (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) partially blocked the game-winning field goal attempt with a minute to play as Bloomsburg University (11-1) defeated West Chester University (9-4), 21-20, on Saturday in an NCAA Division II football playoff second round game.

"This was a great spectator game," said Bloomsburg coach Danny Hale. "It was hard fought and a game in which you didn't want to give up the ball."

Cooper's blocked kick came following a long West Chester drive that started at its own 4-yard line and came after the Golden Rams defense stopped Bloomsburg, which had a first and goal at the five-yard line. West Chester moved the ball down field to the Huskies 24-yard line before three straight incomplete passes forced the Golden Rams to attempt a 41-yard field goal. On the play, Cooper came in from the left side and stretched out just enough to deflect the ball and keep it short.

West Chester opened the scoring on the game's first drive when Brent Steinmetz, on a fourth and short, burst threw an opening at the line and went 41-yards for a score just 3:39 gone in the game.

The Huskies tied up the game on the ensuing drive when Latorre connected with Ryan Schuck (Selinsgrove/Selinsgrove) on a 39-yard pass play to cap a 68-yard scoring drive.

West Chester regained the lead with no time left in the first quarter when Mike Washington caught a four-yard from Zwann to make it 14-7 heading into the second period.

Bloomsburg kept pace with West Chester by knotting the score at 14-14 when Latorre connected with Brahin Bilal (Philadelphia/Lincoln) on a 22-yard scoring pass with 8:41 to play in the half. However, the tie was short-lived as the Golden Rams needed just 1:35 to take the lead for the third time in the game with Zwann directing a three-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 21-yard pass to Cody Clark. However, in what proved to be the difference in the game, the extra point try was not successful, following a bobbled snap, giving the visitors a 20-14 advantage.

The Huskies then put together a 13-play, 80-yard drive with Latorre hitting Bilal with a five-pass for the score, and with the extra point by Jon Koenig (Pine Grove/Pine Grove), Bloomsburg went to the locker room with a 21-20 lead.

In the second half, neither team much a scoring threat till the Golden Rams had a first and goal at the Huskies eight-yard line midway through the fourth period. But, after two rushes gained just one yard and Zwann was sacked for a 14-yard loss, a 37-yard field goal try by Alex Walsh was wide left keeping the game at 21-20.

Bloomsburg then put together a drive went from its own 20 to the West Chester one-yard line. However, the Golden Rams defense pushed Jamar Brittingham (Levittown/Neshaminy) for a four-yard loss on third down setting up a key fourth down call. Bloomsburg chose to go for the touchdown, but Latorre lost a yard on his carry and the Huskies gave the ball over on downs to West Chester setting up the game's deciding drive.

"I have no regrets going for the touchdown late in the game," said Hale. "It was going to be either 7 points or make them drive the field. Fortunately, we held on for the win."

Latorre finished the day 12 of 18 for 190 yards and three scores, while Brittingham totaled 132 yards on the ground in his first significant action in six weeks.

Steinmetz rushed for 148 yards and a score, while Zwann finished 13 of 25 for 204 yards with an interception and a touchdown.

Bloomsburg, which won an NCAA playoff game for the first time since the 2000 season, advances to play Shepherd University next week at a site and time to be determined.