WEST GOSHEN – A bitterly disappointing 2025 football campaign couldn’t end early enough on Saturday for West Chester in a 42-24 setback to visiting Assumption (Mass.) in non-league action. And some might argue that the sentiment could apply to some on the field wearing the purple and gold.
The setback at Farrell Stadium capped a second straight losing season for the Golden Rams (4-7 overall), which is the first time that’s happened in 13 years. West Chester ended the campaign with losses in six of its last seven for second-year head coach Duke Greco. It wound up being a step back from season No. 1 as the Rams finished strong and notched four PSAC East wins, which doubled the ’25 output.
“This season doesn’t sit well with any of us,” Greco said. “There were times when it looked like we could beat anybody, and moments where we couldn’t punch. That will be a theme in the offseason – consistency.”
With its future quarterback under center, the WCU offense shook off a shaky start and eventually made a number of forays into enemy territory. The defense, however, looked a bit disinterested throughout, surrendering 470 yards of total offense, and touchdown plays of 75-, 66- and 49-yards.
“We gave up some explosive plays – (Assumption) got behind us a couple times,” said senior linebacker Connor Noble, who finished with over 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons.
“As the season went along we got worn down a little bit on defense,” Greco added. “We need to do better – everybody knows that.”
During nine seasons at Division III Delaware Valley University, Greco’s teams went 91-15, and lost just five Middle Atlantic Conference games in 72 tries. He is 6-8 against PSAC East foes in his first two campaigns at WCU.
“You anticipate all coaching jobs to be difficult,” he said. “Here we have so many good people who support the program, and our administration want great things because they deserve great things. So when you feel like you’ve let people down, it definitely hurts.”
Four-year starting quarterback Cooper Jordan was injured and did not dress for the final game of his college career, giving way to redshirt sophomore Colin O’Sullivan, a Rutgers transfer. And things did not go well early as O’Sullivan threw interceptions on his first two pass attempts, and the Rams fell behind 14-0 quickly.
And even though West Chester put together a long first quarter TD drive – with sophomore Matt Iuvara catching a 26-yard strike from O’Sullivan – the WCU defense provided little resistance all day. The Greyhounds (8-2 overall) added a 69-yard scoring march and a single play drive on a 75-yard toss to make it 28-7 at the half.
“It’s definitely disappointing,” Noble said. “We’re dealt with some injuries, but I don’t want to blame it on that. At the end of day we did not finish.”
After the Rams’ offense failed to score after stalling deep inside the Assumption end of the field twice late in the second quarter, it happened again in the third and led to a 36-yard field goal by Rylan Zuk. But moments later, it was 42-10 when the defense surrendered a 66-yard scoring run and a 49-yard touchdown pass.
“We need to be more consistent,” Greco said. “It will probably be the hardest offseason any of our players have ever had. We will see who has the work ethic to get where we need to be.”
The Rams added two late TDs to make it appear more respectable, including another touchdown throw for O’Sullivan – to wideout Ivan Thorpe – and a 71-yard blocked field goal and score by junior Maurice Beverly. O’Sullivan hit nine different receivers for 212 aerial yards.
“I came in here never having played a college snap and Cooper (Jordan) and (also injured backup) Ethan (Kohler) have been great for me all season,” O’Sullivan said. “Now it feels like the job has been passed down to me. Today was a good start to get a feel for what it is like in a new system.
“It is super important to forget about something that’s happened. It’s done, it’s in the past. There are two thieves that can steal from you: the past and the future. You just have to stay in the moment, and move on to the next play.”
West Chester’s lone victory since Sept. 27th was a triple overtime home win against a Bloomsburg team that finished 3-8.
“We are all definitely disappointed with the season,” O’Sullivan said. “We know this group should be better given the talent we have. I think we are more talented than most teams in this league and we should have a winning record and consistently be at the top of the standings.
“It will all start this winter with lifting weights and conditioning and all of the little things you need to do to build up to the season.”
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment