On the national scene, three PSAC teams are ranked in the top 25 of both the AFCA and D2Football.com polls. 
 

Following is a preview of this weekend's action:

 

California at IUP - 2 p.m.
"APSCUF" Game of the Week - SPORTSfever Television Network

Series: IUP owns a 58-19-2 record in the series.  California’s 38-23 win in 2005 is its only victory in the past 22 seasons against the Crimson Hawks.  California's chance to earn the 2006 Western Division title outright was spoiled by IUP when the Crimson Hawks posted a 21-17 decision at California.

	California Overall: 5-0 Conference: 1-0 PSAC West Last Contest: California 56, Clarion 0 Next Week: California at Lock Haven, 2 p.m. Players to Watch: QB Joe Ruggiero - 69-of-155, 778 yds, 7 TDs DB Jermaine Moye - 18 punt returns for 225 yds, 12. 5 ypr (2nd PSAC) WR Nate Forse - 22-for-313, 4 TDs LB Josh Zunic - 10 TFL (1st PSAC) Current Trends: California has posted two straight shutouts while scoring 50+ points in each of those contests. 4 - Games in which the defense recorded an interception. 2 - The number of times the Vulcans pass defense has allowed more than 100 yards (134 vs Glenville St.; 139 vs Bloomsburg). 0 - The number of times the Vulcans rushing defense has allowed more than 100 yards rushing. (28.0 ypg - 1st DII; 132. 0 ypg total defense - 1st DII)
IUP Overall: 4-0 Conference: 1-0 PSAC West Last Contest: IUP 34, Slippery Rock 31 Next Week: Edinboro at IUP, 2 p.m. Players to Watch: RB Poohbear McNeal - 60-for-302 yards, 3 TDs QB Andrew Krewatch - 264.5 passing yards per game (1st PSAC); 70-for-120, 1058 yds, 9 TDs WR Anthony Cellitti - 16-for-159 yds, 5.33 rpg (5th - PSAC) KR Akwasi Owusu-Ansah - 6-for-227 yds, 37.8 ypr (1st - PSAC) Current Trends: IUP gave up a season-high 31 points against Slippery Rock.  It was just the second time this season that the Crimson Hawks gave up more than 23 points. 14 - Kick returns by Anthony Rodriguez and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah for 457 yards.  The duo's 32.6 yards per return are the best in Division II.      4 - The number of times the Crimson Hawks have gained more than 100 yards rushing and 200 yards receiving in a game. (49.2 ppg - 2nd DII; 267.2 ypg pass offense - 2nd PSAC) 2 - Number of sacks allowed by IUP. (0.5 per game, 1st DII)

Bloomsburg at Kutztown - 6:05 p.m.

Series:  Bloomsburg leads the series with a 39-20-1 record against Kutztown.  The last time the Huskies lost to the Golden Bears was in 1992, a span of 14 years, by a score of 17-10.  Kutztown’s longest recent winning streak started in 1974 when the Golden Bears won four straight against the Huskies.

	Bloomsburg Overall: 2-3 Conference: 0-1 PSAC East Last Contest: West Chester 44, Bloomsburg 28 Next Week: Bye Players to Watch: WR Brahin Bilal - Four games with more than 100 yards receiving; leads PSAC in all-purpose yards (188.8 - 5th DII). QB Dan Latorre - Has thrown for 3,845 career yards (7th) at Bloomsburg and needs 515 yards to become seventh Husky to record more than 4,000 passing yards. TB Jamar Brittingham - Needs just 268 yards to become Bloomsburg's all-time leading rusher. Current Trends: Bloomsburg has three losses in a season for the first time since the Huskies went 7-3 in 2004.  Prior to the West Chester game, Bloomsburg had 17 rushing touchdowns in comparison to just three scores through the air.  Against West Chester, the Huskies posted four passing touchdowns and zero rushing touchdowns.  Bloomsburg leads the league in red zone offense, converting on 22-of-24 tries (91.7 percent).
Kutztown Overall: 3-2 Conference: 0-0 PSAC East Last Contest: Kutztown 55, American Int'l 20 Next Week: Kutztown at West Chester, 6 p.m. Players to Watch: WR Elfren Quiles - Averaging 7.0 receptions and 128.6 receiving yards per game.  Those figures rank seventh and second in Division II. QB  Kyle Spotts - Ranked third in the conference in both passing average (252.0 ypg) and total offense (258.0 ypg). P Ryan Nye - Leads conference with 43.1 yard per punt. Current Trends: Through five games, three different running backs have led Kutztown in rushing while five different wide receivers have caught at least 10 passes.  The offense is 17-of-19 inside the red zone this season (3rd - PSAC) while the red zone defense has limited opponents to 15-of-21 (3rd - PSAC).

Shippensburg at Clarion - 1 p.m.

Series: Clarion leads the series against Shippensburg with a 33-17-1 record.  Clarion hasn’t won against Shippensburg since the 2000 season when the Golden Eagles won by a 56-49 decision.  During that stretch, the Golden Eagles were shut out three consecutive times (2003-05) by the Red Raiders.

	Shippensburg Overall: 0-5 Conference: 0-1 PSAC West Last Contest: Edinboro 33, Shippensburg 18 Next Week: Shippensburg at Millersville, 1:30 p.m. Players to Watch: WR Mike Harris & Howard Chavous - Each have at least four catches per game in all contests except one. FB Chris Lynch & Aaron Dykes - Each has collected over 200 yards rushing, with Lynch scoring two touchdowns and Dykes contributing four scores. Current Trends: Shippensburg has not allowed more than 35 points this season and is fifth in the league in total defense (330.4 ypg).  The Red Raiders have come close to victories in the past two games against Edinboro and West Chester but could not dig themselves out of a big first-half deficit, a trend that has plagued Shippensburg this season.  The Red Raiders have been outscored 93-40 in the first half but closes the gap in the second half, only outscored by a 56-51 count.
Clarion Overall: 0-5 Conference: 0-1 PSAC West Last Contest: California 56, Clarion 0 Next Week:  Clarion at Slippery Rock, 2 p.m. Players to Watch: Wide Receivers - Three have combined to score all five of Clarion's passing touchdowns, with Pierre Odom and Alfonso Hoggard each recording two scores. Red Zone Offense - The Golden Eagles are last in the league, converting 8-of-18 trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Current Trends: Clarion's 56-0 loss to California marked the first time the Golden Eagles had been shut out since Oct. 21, 2006 when Edinboro posted a 13-0 win.  Clarion is still looking for its first points of the season in the fourth quarter.

West Chester at Millersville - 6 p.m.

Series: West Chester is 57-17 against Millersville all-time.  The Golden Rams defeated the Marauders last season, 54-27. 
 

	West Chester Overall: 4-1 Conference: 1-0 PSAC East Last Contest: West Chester 44, Bloomsburg 28 Next Week: E. Stroudsburg at West Chester, 6 p.m. Players to Watch: LB Lateef Ferguson - Second in PSAC in tackles per game (10.4). DB Mike Mignogno - Tied for first in conference with seven passes defended. Wide Receivers - Six different Golden Rams have at least five catches, led by Mike Washington (16-for-372, 5 TDs). RB Osagie Osunde - Has rushed for over 100 yards in all but two games while he has scored a touchdown in all but one game. Current Trends: West Chester is 4-1 on the season for the first time since 1996.  The Golden Rams are at home for the next four weeks, with its only road game a trip to Cheyney in the regular season finale. West Chester quarterback Bill Zwaan tossed a touchdown strike for the 16th consecutive game, setting a new school record.
Millersville Overall: 2-3 Conference: 1-0 PSAC East Last Contest: Millersville 36, E. Stroudsburg 24 Next Week: Shippensburg at Millersville, 1:30 p.m. Players to Watch: QB Jamal Smith - Had a breakout game against E. Stroudsburg where he ran for 136 yards and threw for another 157 yards and two touchdowns. P Derek Leslie - 33-for-1321 yds, 40.0 ypp RB Brad Lantz - Leads the team with 327 yards rushing. K John Banzhof - Remains perfect in field goals at 4-for-4, with all coming from lengths of 30 yards or longer. Current Trends: Millersville's offense exploded for 36 points against E. Stroudsburg, including a 40-yard kickoff return by Brad Lantz, after failing to score an offensive touchdown in the first four games.  The Marauders continued their impressive defensive and special teams play as the offense converted two fumble recoveries and an interception into 21 points.  For the year, Millersville has capitalized on defense to score 31 points off turnovers and have returned a punt and kick return for paydirt.

Lock Haven at Edinboro - 2 p.m.

Series: Edinboro has won the last seven meetings against Lock Haven, holding a 34-14-1 series advantage.  Edinboro took last year's contest at Lock Haven, 51-25.  Lock Haven's last win came in 2000, 20-16.
 

	Lock Haven Overall: 0-5 Conference: 0-0 PSAC West Last Contest: Cheyney 30, Lock Haven 19 Next Week: California at Lock Haven, 2 p.m. Players to Watch: RB Ibrahim Smith - Ran for 114 yards on 23 carries against Cheyney to mark the first time since 2005 that a Bald Eagle back went over 100 yards rushing. LB Cory Gildea & Adam Andrasko - The senior duo leads the squad and ranks eighth and ninth in the conference with 9.2 and 9.0 tackles per game, respectively. Current Trends: Lock Haven has scored one touchdown in the second half through five games this season and has been shut out in the third quarter. Three of the Bald Eagles remaining five games are at home, including back-to-back home games against California and IUP beginning Oct. 13.  The two road games are at Shippensburg and Clarion.  Both of those teams are currently winless in the PSAC West.
Edinboro Overall: 4-1 Conference: 1-0 PSAC West Last Contest: Edinboro 33, Shippensburg 18 Next Week: Lock Haven at IUP, 2 p.m. Players to Watch: SS Dan Skelton - Freshman leads the league in interceptions with three (0.75 per game).  He returned one pick for a touchdown against Shippensburg. QB Trevor Harris - Leads conference in total offense (273.6 ypg) and has thrown for three or more touchdowns in his last four games. NG Chris Amico - Leads team and is 10th in the PSAC in tackles for loss (7-29).  Ninth in sacks at 3.0 (0.60 per game). Current Trends: The Fighting Scots have posted four straight wins after dropping their first contest of the season to West Chester, 32-16.  Edinboro has scored three or more receiving touchdowns in each of its last four games.  The Fighting Scots kick return defense is the top-rated unit in Division II, allowing just 11.54 yards return. Edinboro's red zone offense (20-22) and defense (18-26) are both ranked second in the conference.

Slippery Rock at East Stroudsburg - 1 p.m.

Series: It’s been nearly 10 years since these two teams met in 1999 when Slippery Rock handed East Stroudsburg a 47-10 defeat at Slippery Rock.  The Rock owns a 10-1 all-time record against the Warriors, with ESU’s lone victory coming in 1975 when the Warriors posted a 7-0 victory en route to a perfect 10-0 season in which they were crowned PSAC champions.

	Slippery Rock Overall: 4-1 Conference: 0-1 PSAC West Last Contest: IUP 34, Slippery Rock 31 Next Week: Clarion at Slippery Rock, 2 p.m. Players to Watch: RB Corey Manfull - Missed entire second half last week due to an injury. WR Paul Favers - Took over 10th place on The Rock's all-time receiving yardage list (1,317 yds) HB Colin Golden - Took over fourth place in career receptions at SRU (115). Current Trends: The Rock defense has recorded 15 (T-2nd - PSAC) sacks this season, with at least one in each game.  SRU has finished in the league's top five in sacks every since 2003. Rock's offense is 27-of-58 on third down conversions and just 3-of-10 on fourth down conversions.
East Stroudsburg Overall: 1-3 Conference: 0-1 PSAC East Last Contest: Millersville 36, E. Stroudsburg 24 Next Week: E. Stroudsburg at Cheyney, 1 p.m. Players to Watch: PR Drew Stem - Leads conference in punt returns, averaging 13.2 ypr. QB Tim Roken - Ranks fourth in the PSAC with 244.0 yds total offense. LB Jayson Frank - The senior's 10.5 tackles per game is a conference best.  Current Trends: Eight different players have recorded one interception, with all four starting linebackers posting picks. E. Stroudsburg is just 10-of-60 on third down conversions and 7-of-11 on fourth down conversions. The Warriors are the second-most penalized team in the league, averaging almost 45.8 yards per game in penalties.

Cheyney at Howard - 1 p.m.

Series:  Cheyney and Howard have met 13 times on the grid iron with the Bison holding a 12-1 advantage.  The lone Cheyney victory came in 1963.  The
Wolves prevailed 12-6 in their only win of the season.  The last time
the two schools met was 15 years (1992) ago, with Howard winning a 75-6 decision.
 

	Cheyney Overall: 1-4 Conference: 0-0 PSAC East Last Contest: Cheyney 30, Lock Haven 19 Next Week: East Stroudsburg at Cheyney, 1 p.m. Players to Watch: LB Brandon Hawkins & Justin Allen - Ranked third and fourth in tackles per game with 10.2 and 9.8 tpg, respectively. WR Dominique Curry - Earned Cheyney's first conference player of the week honor this season after averaging more than 30 ypc against Lock Haven. K Andrew Eiffong - Missed first PAT of season (9-10) but is still perfect as a field goal kicker. Current Trends: Cheyney faces its final non-conference opponent this season before taking on five straight PSAC East divisional foes to close the season.  The Wolves posted its first victory of the year last week, defeating Lock Haven, 33-19, for the first time in 15 tries.
Howard Overall: 1-3 Conference: 0-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Last Contest: Howard 24, Winston-Salem State 21 (ot) Next Week: Howard at Morgan St., 1:30 p.m. Players to Watch: QB Brian Johnson - 73-for-120, 788 yds, 9 TDS; also is the team's leading rusher at 63.2 ypg. WR J. Williams - Team's leading receiver with six touchdowns and 23 catches for 234 yards. Current Trends: First-year head coach Carey Bailey earned his first win of the year at Howard and in his career with last week's 24-21 overtime victory against Winston-Salem State.  The Bison have been outscored 33-10 in the second quarter this season while Cheyney has also been outscored in the second quarter, 82-42.