Bloomsburg Edges West Chester to Remain Undefeated

BLOOMSBURG— Bloomsburg University tailback Jamar Brittingham (Neshaminy/ Levittown) scored on a 14-yard touchdown run with 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Huskies a 42-35 victory over PSAC East rival West Chester. With the win, the Huskies remain undefeated on the season and claim sole possession of first place in the PSAC East.

Overall Brittingham rushed 26 times for 212 yards and three touchdowns and caught six passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Brittingham now holds the PSAC record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 28. He passes former Bloomsburg tailback Irv Sigler, who ran for 25 touchdowns in 1996.

The Huskies got off to a fast start when quarterback Jack Lydic (Selinsgrove/ Selinsgrove) connected with Brittingham for a 59-yard touchdown pass on their first play from scrimmage. West Chester then answered back on the next drive when tailback Brent Steinmetz scored on a one yard touchdown run that capped off an 80-yard West Chester drive to tie the score.

On the following Husky possession, Brittingham busted off a 66 yard touchdown run to give Bloomsburg a 14-7 lead. West Chester then responded once again when quarter back Bill Zwaan Jr. connected with receiver Eric Ruffenach for a nine yard touchdown pass.

The teams exchanged scores again to make it 21-21. With 14 seconds left in the first half, West Chester botched a punt to give the Huskies excellent field position at the West Chester 24. Two plays later, Lydic tossed a 24 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Donny Patrick (Shenandoah /Hazelton) as time expired to give Bloomsburg a 28-21 lead going into the half.

The score remained the same until 1:36 remaining in the third quarter when Brittingham scored his third touchdown of the game on a two yard run to give the Huskies a 35-21 lead. But West Chester rallied to score two unanswered touchdowns to the tie the score at 35 with 3:14 remaining in the game.

After Brittingham scored his fourth touchdown, West Chester drove the majority of the field and was threatening to tie the game when Zac Barton (Berryville, VA/ Loudan Valley) forced a fumble that was recovered by the Huskies. The fumble was recovered by Rob Biernat (Briston/ Conwell Egan). Lydic then downed the ball to end the game and seal the victory for Bloomsburg.

Lydic finished the day 22-27 for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Donny Patrick had six catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Bill Zwaan Jr. threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns to lead the West Chester offense. West Chester wide receiver Mike Washington had nine catches for 186 yards.

On defense, safety Tyler Trettin (Hummelstown/ Hershey) had 11 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble to lead the Huskies. Rob Biernat also had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery.

The Huskies improve to 10-0, 5-0 in the PSAC East and clinch a tie for the PSAC East title. West Chester falls to 7-3, 5-1 in the PSAC East. Bloomsburg will have its final regular season game next Saturday at 1p.m. when they host Millersville.