West Chester, Pennsylvania - West Chester picked off four passes and used three rushing touchdowns from Jarel Elder to top Millersville 52-0 Saturday afternoon in the PSAC East finale for both teams.

West Chester (7-3, 6-1 PSAC East) out-gained Millersville (2-8, 1-6 PSAC East) by 310 yards (577-267) on offense. The West Chester defense not only kept Millersville out of the end zone for its first shut out of the season. The Golden Rams' defense has allowed no more than 20 points in each of its last six games.

Millersville had opportunities to score, driving into West Chester territory four times in the first half, and pushing inside the West Chester 5-yard line two times in the second half. But four interceptions and and 0-for-3 day on fourth down conversions was too much to overcome.

The second drive of the game was aided by a 23-yard Sheldon Snell rush, but on third down from the West Chester 14 and trailing just 7-0, J.J. Paige was intercepted by Blaise Schieler, who promptly flipped field position with a 39-yard return. WCU quickly cashed in on the turnover, scoring just six plays later on a 34-yard pass from Andrew Derr to Jordan Banks.

That became a theme, and everything unraveled for the Marauders in the final three minutes of the first half. Kendall Marks ended a West Chester drive at the Millersville 48 by recovering an Elder fumble. One play later, however, Blake Cahill--one of three Marauders to throw a pass in the game--was intercepted by Kevin Malone. While the Marauders' held West Chester to a field goal and quickly drove to the West Chester 37 in the closing seconds of the half, Paige was intercepted for the second time in the half as time expired. This time, Nydair Rouse raced 79 yards to pay dirt with no time left on the clock, giving West Chester a 24-0 lead heading into the break.

Millersville's first offensive possession of the second half reached the West Chester 2, but Tony Staffieri rushed for no gain on third down and Snell was stuffed on a fourth down attempt. In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, Millersville drove to the West Chester 2 once again, but Staffieri was sacked on second down. On fourth-and-four from the 5, Staffieri was pressured into an incomplete pass.

Staffieri finished 8-for-16 for 109 yards and an interception. He also led the team in rushing with 54 yards. Paige went 6-for-14 with two picks. Kevin Wiggins caught five passes for 84 yards, moving him into sole possession of sixth place in career catch at Millersville with 130.

For West Chester, Derr went 12-for-22 for 276 yards and two scores. Elder totaled 89 yards rushing on just 11 carries.

Millersville closes its 2016 season Saturday, Nov. 12 at Gannon.