Football - Week 10
Week 10 Football Notes (pdf)
Unlike last year when there was a game in each division between two teams still in contention in the last week of divisional play that decided who would play in the PSAC championship game, this year is almost anti-climatic heading into the final week of divisional play as one team has already been decided and the other only needs a win over a winless team to solidify its spot in the championship game. California clinched its spot in the championship game for the second straight year last week while Shippensburg only needs to defeat Cheyney to wrap up the PSAC East title and the right to host next week's game, which incidentally, was the originally scheduled game next week. The only scenario in which Shippensburg will not play in the championship game is if the Red Raiders lose to Cheyney and Bloomsburg defeats West Chester. That scenario would send Bloomsburg to the title game.
California can clinch the outright PSAC West title with a win over Mercyhurst at 3:30 p.m. on FSN-Pittsburgh. If Cal is victorious, then the Clarion-Edinboro game on the PA SportsFever Network at 1:00 p.m. will be for second place in the division. If Cal were to lose, then the Clarion-Edinboro winner would gain a share of the division title, but the Vulcans hold the tiebreaker over both teams to advance to the championship game. It will be a regional telecast by the PA SportsFever Network this week, as it will also head to the eastern PA border to televise the Millersville-East Stroudsburg game, also at 1:00 p.m.
PSAC Football - Week 10 Notes - 10/28/09
Quick Hits
- Three PSAC games are scheduled for live television broadcasts this week. Millersville at East Stroudsburg and Clarion at Edinboro are both live on the PA SportsFever Network at 1:00 p.m. while Mercyhurst at California is live on FSN-Pittsburgh at 3:30 p.m.
- Shippensburg can clinch a spot in the PSAC championship game with a win on the road at Cheyney this week. California has already clinched a spot in the championship game. The only other team still in contention for the championship game in the PSAC East is Bloomsburg, which would need to beat West Chester and have Shippensburg lose to Cheyney to claim the East berth.
- With a win over Mercyhurst, California can finish the season undefeated in PSAC West play for the third straight year. The Vulcans would also clinch their third straight outright PSAC West championship. Cal has already clinched at least a tie of their fifth straight West title.
- With a Cal loss to Mercyhurst, the Vulcans would still go to the PSAC championship game but the winner of the Clarion-Edinboro game would be the co-PSAC West champions with the Vulcans.
- Edinboro’s last West championship came in 2005, when the Fighting Scots shared the title with Cal in what was the first of Cal’s current five-year streak of PSAC West championships, either shared or outright.
- Clarion’s last PSAC West title came in 2000, when the Golden Eagles were involved in a three-way tie for the division title with IUP and Slippery Rock.
- With a win over Cheyney, Shippensburg can clinch at least a share of its first-ever PSAC East title, as the Red Raiders moved to the East from the West last year. Ship’s last divisional title was a share of the PSAC West championship in 2004. The Red Raiders would win the divisional title outright with a win and a Bloomsburg loss to West Chester.
- Shippensburg’s last outright divisional title came in 1981 when it was the PSAC West champions.
- The last team other than Bloomsburg or West Chester to win at least a share of the PSAC East title was East Stroudsburg in 2003.
- The last team to win an outright PSAC East championship other than West Chester or Bloomsburg was Millersville in 1998.
- Gannon and Slippery Rock combined for 99 points in Gannon’s 51-48 win in Week 8. That game marked the most combined points in a game involving a PSAC team or teams since a pair of games that were played on September 10, 2005. On that day, 100 points were scored in California’s 88-12 win over Mansfield and 115 points were scored in East Stroudsburg’s 66-49 win over C.W. Post, which was then not a member of the PSAC in football.
- Cheyney QB Angel Rodriguez ran for a PSAC season-high 207 yards on October 10. Although the last QB in the PSAC to run for over 200 yards in a game is currently unavailable, Rodriguez is believed to be the first PSAC QB in this decade to run for over 200 yards in a game.
- IUP held Lock Haven to just one yard of total offenseon October 17. This is the top performance in the country by a defense this year in total defense.
- Kutztown kicker Matt Dineen kicked five field goals in the Golden Bears’ win over Cheyney in Week 6. He is the first kicker since East Stroudsburg’s Greg Knauss in 2007 to make five FGs in a game.
- Bloomsburg K Jon Koenig is one of just nine kickers in the country that have made a field goal from 50 yards or beyond this year.
- Four different PSAC players have recorded three sacks in a game so far this year through seven games: Josh Simmons and Andy Horn of Shippensburg, Justin Presley of Bloomsburg and Fred Hale of Mercyhurst. Only two players recorded at least three sacks in a game all of last year: Jon Ochs of Bloomsburg and Mike Perillo of Edinboro.
- Three PSAC teams - West Chester, California and C.W. Post - scored 50 or more points in Week 4 wins on September 19. That did not happen last year and it marked the first time since Week 2 of the 2007 season (Sept. 7-8) that three different PSAC teams scored 50 or more in the same week. In that week in 2007, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro and IUP each scored 50 or more.
PSAC With Three Teams Ranked in Each Poll
Edinboro re-entered the D2football.com poll after dropping out last week, leaving the PSAC with three team ranked in both the AFCA and D2football.com polls. The three in the AFCA poll is tied for the second-most of any conference while the three in the D2football.com poll is tied for the third most of any conference. The PSAC started the year with four teams in the AFCA and five in the D2football.com poll.
Bloomsburg, which was ranked third in both polls last week, fell to 10th in both polls this week after its loss to Shippensburg. California moved up four spots in both polls to No. 20 in the AFCA poll and No. 14 in the D2football.com poll. Edinboro moved up two spots to No. 21 in the AFCA poll and is now No. 25 in the D2football.com poll. Shippensburg is now the top vote-getter in the other receiving votes category in the AFCA poll after its win over Bloomsburg, and the Red Raiders are receiving votes in the AFCA poll for the fourth time this year and for the third straight week.
This marks the eighth week this season that the PSAC has not had the most teams of any conference represented in both Top 25 polls. The PSAC had the most schools of any conference or tied for the most schools of any conference in both polls for all of last season and for the first two weeks of this season.
A Week for Highs
Week 8 was a week for some big offensive performances all around the PSAC. League single-game highs this season were set in rushing yards, passing yards, total offense, receiving yards and receptions as well as total kickoff return yards. The players listed below set those respective PSAC single-game highs.
Rushing Yards - Harvie Tuck, IUP (218)
Passing Yards - Matt Marshall, East Stroudsburg (430)
Receiving Yards - Steve Miller, West Chester (181)
Receptions - Ed Kiser, East Stroudsburg and Steve MIller, West Chester (11)
Total Offense - Matt Marshall, East Stroudsburg (471)
National Leaders
The PSAC has one individual that is leading the country in various categories as of the latest NCAA statistical report. He is listed below.
- West Chester punt returner Kevin Garland leads the country in average punt return for the third straight week at 22.75 yards per return.
PSAC in Non-Conference Action
The PSAC went 9-5 this year against Division II non-conference competition, and 9-6 overall. This is a large improvement over last year’s 6-9 overall non-conference record (6-8 vs. Division II opponents). Listed below is the conference and record breakdown of the PSAC’s non-conference opponents this year, followed by the PSAC’s record last year in non-conference action.
2009 - 9-6 overall (9-5 vs. Division II)
Northeast 10: 3-1 (Wins - IUP over Southern Connecticut State, Millersville over Assumption, Kutztown over St. Anselm; Losses - American International over C.W. Post)
WVIAC: 2-1 (Wins - Clarion over Fairmont State, Edinboro over West Liberty State; Losses - Shepherd over Shippensburg)
CIAA: 2-1 (Wins - East Stroudsburg over Virginia Union, Slippery Rock over Bowie State; Losses - Lincoln over Cheyney)
GLIAC: 1-2 (Wins - Bloomsburg over Ashland; Losses - Wayne State over Mercyhurst, Saginaw Valley State over California)
Independents: 1-0 (Gannon over Lake Erie)
Division I FCS (CAA): 0-1 (Losses - Delaware over West Chester)
2008 - 6-9 overall (6-8 vs. Division II)
WVIAC: 1-4 (Wins - Edinboro over West Liberty State; Losses - Fairmont State over Clarion, Glenville State over Lock Haven, Shepherd over Shippensburg, Seton Hill over Slippery Rock)
Northeast 10: 1-2 (Wins - Kutztown over St. Anselm; Losses - AIC over C.W. Post, Bentley over Millersville
GLIAC: 1-1 (Wins - Bloomsburg over Ashland; Losses - Wayne State over Mercyhurst)
CIAA: 1-1 (Wins - East Stroudsburg over Virginia Union; Losses - Bowie State over Cheyney)
Independent: 2-0 (Wins - Gannon over Lake Erie, California over Lake Erie)
Division I FCS (CAA): 0-1 (Losses - Delaware over West Chester)
Long Ones are Rare
Bloomsburg K Jon Koenig booted a career-long 50-yard field goal on September 19 in the Huskies’ win over Kutztown. It marked the third straight year that a PSAC kicker made a field goal from at least 50 yards but it also marked only the fifth FG made from 50+ yards in the PSAC in the last nine seasons dating back to 2000. Koenig and Millersville’s John Banzhof are the only active PSAC kickers that have made FGs from 50 yards or more. Listed below are the PSAC kickers that have made FGs from 50+ yards in this decade.
53 - Greg Knauss (East Stroudsburg) vs. IUP, 2007
53 - Sean McNicholas (Edinboro) vs. East Stroudsburg, 2000
52 - John Katsaouni (Slippery Rock) vs. Shippensburg, 2003
50 - John Banzhof (Millersville) vs. Bloomsburg, 2008
50 - Jon Koenig (Bloomsburg) vs. Kutztown, 2009
Ranked Scots Equals No Good
Edinboro was upset at home by Shippensburg in Week 2. The Red Raiders were unranked, while the Fighting Scots were ranked 15th and 16th in the two polls. The loss by Edinboro marked the first time since last year that a ranked PSAC team lost to an unranked PSAC team. That last time it happened was also the only time it happened last year, when the Fighting Scots lost at home to Mercyhurst. Prior to last year, Edinboro came out on top in the previous time it happened, as an unranked Fighting Scots squad topped ranked Bloomsburg in 2007.
Streaks
There are a couple of streaks that are currently active, some of which teams want to keep going, and others that teams want to break. California has a 19-game winning streak in PSAC West play.
On the opposite end, Cheyney is looking to break a current 22-game losing streak in PSAC East play and a 26-game losing streak overall. Lock Haven is looking to break a 13-game losing streak in PSAC West play and a 19-game losing streak overall.
Slippery Rock (5-4, 2-4) at Lock Haven (0-8, 0-6)
Oct. 31 - 12:00 p.m.
Lock Haven, Pa.
Hubert Jack Stadium (3,500)
Radio/Internet: WISR 680 AM/MSAsports.net/havensports.com
Slippery Rock Leaders
Rushing: Sayquan Scott-Mitchell (131 car., 697 yds., 5.3 ypc, 77.4 ypg, 6 TD)
Passing: Rocco Colavecchia (97-205-12, 47.3 pct., 1256 yds., 139.6 ypg, 8 TD)
Receiving: Devin Goda (27 rec., 379 yds., 14.0 ypc, 42.1 ypg, 2 TD)
Jermale Cromerdie (23 rec., 414 yds., 18.0 ypc, 46.0 ypg, 1 TD)
Lock Haven Leaders
Rushing: Ibrahim Smith (43 car., 89 yds., 2.1 ypc, 17.8 ypg, 1 TD)
Jeremiah Dunchack (39 car., 81 yds., 2.1 ypc, 11.6 ypg, 0 TD)
Passing: Jarret Kratzer (89-167-6, 53.3 pct., 725 yds., 103.6 ypg, 1 TD)
Jarryd Burkett (24-42-1, 57.1 pct., 190 yds., 27.1 ypg, 2 TD)
Receiving: Jay Hartman (19 rec., 251 yds., 13.2 ypc, 35.9 ypg, 0 TD)
Ian Smith (17 rec., 106 yds., 6.2 ypc, 13.2 ypg, 0 TD)
Conference Ranks Slippery Rock Lock Haven
Scoring Offense/Defense 22.4/12th; 26.0/12th 4.2/16th; 37.0/14th
Rush Offense/Defense 126.6/12th; 163.6/12th 7.0/16th; 224.9/14th
Pass Offense/Defense 151.4/13th; 177.9/6th 129.0/15th; 180.5/7th
Total Offense/Defense 278.0/13th; 341.4/10th 136.0/16th; 405.4/14th
Coaches
Slippery Rock: Dr. George Mihalik (22nd yr.; 146-89-4 career record)
Lock Haven: John Klacik (5th yr.; 5-47 career record)
What to Expect
Slippery Rock enters this game on a three-game losing streak, having sputtered ever since starting the season 5-1. The Rock will be facing a Lock Haven team that is also sputtering, having been shut out in each of the last two weeks, and a Bald Eagle team that has been hit hard by injuries, particularly on offense.
The Lock Haven offense, which has struggled all year long, especially in the running game, has lost QB Jarret Kratzer and RB Ibrahim Smith for the season due to injuries. In Smith’s place, Jeremiah Dunchack will get most of the carries and Jarryd Burkett and Shawn Faulk split time at QB last week, with Faulk getting most of the snaps for the first time this year. If there is a defense at this point in the season that Lock Haven would like to face to get its offense going, Rock’s would be a candidate, as it has given up over 40 points in each of the last two weeks after having not allowed more than 30 points in the first seven weeks. The same could be said about Rock’s defense going up against a struggling offense such as Lock Haven’s, as Rock is looking to regroup and finish the season strong.
Except for a breakout performance against Gannon two weeks ago, Rock’s offense has also fallen on hard times, with QB Rocco Colavecchia’s completion percentage down below 50 percent. The running game, thought to be the strong point of the Rock offense, is also struggling. Lock Haven could be the team to get it back on track against, as the Bald Eagles struggle stopping the run. The Rock ran for 250 yards against Lock Haven last year using a three-back rotation, so look for Sayquan Scott-Mitchell, Damarcus Cleckley and possibly even Ryan Lehmeier, who has been slowed by injuries this season, to receive their share of carries. Lock Haven’s pass defense is ranked in the upper half of the PSAC, so Rock should be primed to run the ball early and often.
One thing that has been consistent for The Rock this year is special teams play, as they are solid in all areas. Robert Doiley averages 8.3 ypr on punts, while Jeff Jackson (22.8) and Akeem Satterfield (28.2) help the team average 22.7 ypr on kicks. K C.J. Bahr is 8-for-11 on FGs and 21-for-22 on PATs while P Kyle Witman has the top average (41.8) in the league. By contrast, LHU has returned just eight punts, doesn’t have kick return for longer than 32 yards, and is yet to make a field goal this year in three attempts and average just 32 yards per punt.
Series/Game Notes
Slippery Rock leads the all-time series with Lock Have 40-12-1...The Rock won last year’s meeting by a 45-7 score at home and has won the last 20 consecutive meetings with the Bald Eagles dating back to 1989...The teams tied in 1988 and LHU’s last win in the series came in 1980.
#10/10 Bloomsburg (8-1, 5-1) at West Chester (5-4, 4-2)
Oct. 31 - 1:00 p.m.
West Chester, Pa.
Farrell Stadium (7,500)
Radio/Internet: WHLM 930 AM/whlm.com/WCUR 91.7 FM/RedZoneMedia.com
Bloomsburg Leaders
Rushing: Derrick Price (112 car., 663 yds., 5.9 ypc, 110.5 ypg, 12 TD)
Kenny Domzalski (109 car., 558 yds., 5.1 ypc, 62.0 ypg, 3 TD)
Passing: Dan Latorre (106-180-3, 58.9 pct., 1257 yds., 139.7 ypg, 8 TD)
Receiving: Ben Weaber (23 rec., 280 yds., 12.2 ypc, 31.1 ypg, 0 TD)
Cory Stiger (20 rec., 286 yds., 14.3 ypc, 31.8 ypg, 4 TD)
West Chester Leaders
Rushing: D’Andre Webb (69 car., 388 yds., 5.6 ypc, 43.1 ypg, 5 TD)
Lee Hopkins (72 car., 230 yds., 3.2 ypc, 25.6 ypg, 2 TD)
Passing: Joe Wright (142-261-10, 54.4 pct., 2105 yds., 233.9 ypg, 16 TD)
Receiving: Steve Miller (37 rec., 602 yds., 16.3 ypc, 75.2 ypg, 7 TD)
Dan DePalma (31 rec., 605 yds., 19.5 ypc, 67.2 ypg, 6 TD)
Conference Ranks Bloomsburg West Chester
Scoring Offense/Defense 25.6/9th; 11.9/1st 33.1/3rd; 18.1/2nd
Rush Offense/Defense 175.3/3rd; 100.3/3rd 138.6/10th; 84.2/1st
Pass Offense/Defense 149.0/14th; 174.6/5th 256.7/3rd; 166.6/2nd
Total Offense/Defense 324.3/10th; 274.9/3rd 395.2/2nd; 250.8/1st
Coaches
Bloomsburg: Danny Hale (17th yr.; 184-60-1 career record; 144-47-1 at BU)
West Chester: Bill Zwaan (7th yr.; 113-40 career record; 59-26 at WCU)
What to Expect
At the beginning of the year, this looked like it had a chance to be the game of the year in the PSAC East. However, the game actually came last week for Bloomsburg against Shippensburg and with West Chester likely out of contention for an NCAA playoff berth, this game means much more to Bloomsburg but the Golden Rams would love to spoil their longtime rival’s season with a win.
Despite the loss by the Huskies last week, Bloomsburg’s running game is in full effect, as both Derrick Price and Kenny Domzalski ran for 100 yards last week. As the running game has come, the passing game as gone, and the Huskies have slipped down the PSAC rankings in passing recently. The Golden Rams have the PSAC’s best rush defense and the second best pass defense, so something will have to give, especially in the matchup of the running game. With a defense as stingy as West Chester’s, holding onto the ball and taking advantage of what opportunities are given could be a key to the game, and with the top turnover margin in the league and a QB in Dan Latorre who has league-low three interceptions, the Huskies are known for doing just that.
On the other side of the ball, Bloomsburg had its worst defensive performance of the year last week, giving up 28 points to Shippensburg after having not yielded more than 14 in its first eight games. On the positive side, Bloom did gain more offensive yards than Ship last week, although the Huskies did give up more than their average. Bloomsburg’s passing defense will get a stern test this week as West Chester has thrown the ball more and more lately and run it less and less. As is the case with the Bloom offense matchup with the Golden Ram defense, limiting turnovers could be a key but in this matchup, the Golden Rams have struggled with turnovers all year long, sporting a -3 turnover margin.
A play or two on special teams could turn the tide either way, and both teams have the potential playmakers to do just that. Bloom has the third-best kick return average in the league at 23.7 behind Brandon Real (24.4) and Jesse Cooper (24.3) while West Chester has a 16.5 average on punt returns behind Kevin Garland’s 22.8 average. Bloom appearst to have a slight edge in the kicking game, Jon Koenig 9-for-12 on FGs and perfect on PATs and WCU’s Chris Hill just 5-for-10 on FGs and 35-for-39 on PATs.
Series/Game Notes
West Chester leads the all-time series with Bloomsburg 45-21...The series has been pretty even lately, with Bloom winning 2006, West Chester in 2007 and the 2008 regular season, and Bloom winning in the NCAA playoffs last year...Both games last year were played at Bloomsburg.
Shippensburg (7-2, 5-1) at Cheyney (0-9, 0-6)
Oct. 31 - 1:00 p.m.
Cheyney, Pa.
O’Shields-Stevenson Stadium (5,000)
Radio/Internet: WSYC 88.7 FM/wsyc.org/RedZoneMedia.com
Shippensburg Leaders
Rushing: Kevin Herod (137 car., 493 yds., 3.6 ypc, 61.6 ypg, 4 TD)
Kevin Marshall (80 car., 346 yds., 4.3 ypc, 38.4 ypg, 2 TD)
Passing: Chad DiFebbo (117-232-8, 50.4 pct., 1837 yds., 204.1 ypg, 21 TD)
Receiving: Mike Harris (52 rec., 888 yds., 17.1 ypc, 98.7 ypg, 9 TD)
Chase DiFebbo (18 rec., 367 yds., 20.4 ypc, 45.9 ypg, 3 TD)
Cheyney Leaders
Rushing: Ron Hunter (104 car., 571 yds., 5.5 ypc, 63.4 ypg, 3 TD)
Angel Rodriguez (102 car., 434 yds., 4.3 ypc, 48.2 ypg, 5 TD)
Passing: Angel Rodriguez (46-92-5, 50.0 pct., 673 yds., 74.8 ypg, 2 TD)
Receiving: John Newman (16 rec., 190 yds, 11.9 ypc, 21.1 ypg, 0 TD)
Travis Taltoan (11 rec., 225 yds., 20.5 ypc, 28.1 ypg, 1 TD)
Conference Ranks Shippensburg Cheyney
Scoring Offense/Defense 33.2/2nd; 22.3/7th 11.9/15th; 41.4/16th
Rush Offense/Defense 174.9/4th; 137.7/9th 147.2/8th; 231.6/15th
Pass Offense/Defense 211.4/5th; 186.0/11th 97.3/16th; 185.1/10th
Total Offense/Defense 386.3/6th; 323.7/8th 244.6/15th; 416.7/15th
Coaches
Shippensburg: Rocky Rees (20th yr.; 152-118-2 career record; 116-103-1 at SU)
Cheyney: Jeff Braxton (2nd yr.; 0-20 career record)
What to Expect
Just as last week was the game of the year for them and next week will be for them if they win this week, this is the game of the year for Shippensburg, as a win will clinch at least a share of the PSAC East championship for the Red Raiders and a spot in next week’s PSAC championship game. The Raiders also want to maintain their season-best No. 2 NCAA regional ranking while Cheyney is eager to break its losing streak and could do it in grand fashion with a win over the Raiders.
Ship QB Chad DiFebbo’s 21 TD passes are tied for the league lead, with WR Mike Harris and TE Mark Rossi combining for 16 of those scores. With Cheyney’s defense having given up over 200 passing yards in two of the last three games after having done so in just one of the first six games, the Wolves may be ripe for the picking in that area, which may be important since the Red Raiders have rushed for three of their four lowest rushing totals of the season in the last three games. However, with a four-back rotation of Kevin Herod, Kevin Marshall, Roshaan McCain and Mike Frenette going up against the league’s second-worst rush defense, this may be the week that Ship rebounds in the rushing game.
After their two highest-scoring games of the year, Cheyney has taken a step back in the last two weeks, scoring just six combined points after scoring 57 combined points in the two weeks prior to that. The Wolves’ passing game has fallen back below the 100 ypg mark and even the running game has fallen off recently, although RB Ron Hunter and QB Angel Rodriguez still average more than 100 ypg between the two of them. Ship’s defense will give up some points, as it is more of a bend but don’t break defense, usually holding opponents to just enough so that their offense can outscore the other team.
Shippensburg has the top kick return game in the PSAC at 25.9 ypr behind Kevin Marshall (27.7) and Bryan Barley (26.4) and Harris averages 12.3 ypr on punts. Cheyney has still only returned three punts this year and its longest kickoff return has gone for just 30 yards. They are solid on kicks, however, with Tyler Wilkinson 5-for-6 on FGs and 10-for-11 on PATs. Ship is equally solid on kicks with Kyler Ford at 9-for-13 on FGs and 36-for-37 on PATs. Ship holds an advantage of over 10 yards per punt but on net average, leads Cheyney by just three yards.
Series/Game Notes
Shippensburg has never lost to Cheyney, sporting a 10-0 all-time mark against the Wolves...Last year was the teams’ first meeting since 1990 as Ship moved to the PSAC East last year...This will be just the teams’ fifth meeting since 1959...The Red Raiders won by a 62-7 score at home last year.
Clarion (6-3, 5-1) at #21/25 Edinboro (7-2, 5-1)
Oct. 31 - 1:00 p.m.
Edinboro, Pa.
Sox Harrison Stadium (6,000)
TV: PA SportsFever Network
Radio/Internet: WCCR 92.7 FM/WKQW 96.3 FM/RedZoneMedia.com/WFSE 88.9 FM/Edinboro.ezstream.com
Clarion Leaders
Rushing: Alfonso Hoggard (168 car., 845 yds., 5.0 ypc, 105.6 ypg, 13 TD)
Passing: Tyler Huether (156-274-7, 56.9 pct., 1898 yds., 210.9 ypg, 9 TD)
Receiving: Jacques Robinson (56 rec., 650 yds., 11.6 ypc, 72.2 ypg, 4 TD)
Matt Foradora (38 rec., 458 yds., 12.1 ypc, 50.9 ypg, 3 TD)
Craig Bunney (25 rec., 340 yds., 13.6 ypc, 37.8 ypg, 0 TD)
Edinboro Leaders
Rushing: David Bostic (118 car., 454 yds., 3.8 ypc, 56.8 ypg, 5 TD)
Junior Jabbie (66 car., 268 yds., 4.1 ypc, 67.0 ypg, 3 TD)
Passing: Trevor Harris (183-276-7, 66.3 pct., 2279 yds., 253.2 ypg, 16 TD)
Receiving: Josh Brown (28 rec., 476 yds., 17.0 ypc, 52.9 ypg, 4 TD)
David Bostic (28 rec., 264 yds., 9.4 ypc, 33.0 ypg, 0 TD)
Conference Ranks Clarion Edinboro
Scoring Offense/Defense 28.1/5th; 23.3/9th 29.1/4th; 23.4/10th
Rush Offense/Defense 139.3/9th; 120.2/7th 130.7/11th; 155.3/11th
Pass Offense/Defense 210.9/6th; 195.3/13th 257.2/2nd; 169.7/3rd
Total Offense/Defense 350.2/7th; 315.6/7th 387.9/5th; 325.0/9th
Coaches
Clarion: Jay Foster (4th yr.; 10-32 career record)
Edinboro: Scott Browning (4th yr.; 29-13 career record)
What to Expect
Although both teams have been eliminated from contention for the PSAC championship game, either team can clinch a share of the PSAC West championship with a win and a loss by California and even with a Cal win, the winner of this game with finish in second place in the West alone. This one could be a shootout, as both teams average nearly 30 points per game and like to air it out.
Edinboro has done exactly what was expected of it on offense this year, as QB Trevor Harris sports a PSAC-best completion percentage and leads the league in passing yards, having completed passes to 13 different Edinboro players, with seven different players having a receiving TD. The running game has been a bit inconsistent, but has been plagued by injuries to Junior Jabbie and last week, to David Bostic. If those two are still hampered by injuries, look for Michael Battles to receive more carries, although the Scots will likely rely heavily on the passing game once again, as Clarion fares much better on defense against the run than the pass.
Clarion was expected to be a pass happy team this year as well and the Golden Eagles haven’t disappointed, as QB Tyler Huether ranks among the league leaders in passing yards as well and has two sure-handed targets in Jacques Robinson, the PSAC’s leading pass catcher, and TE Matt Foradora, the top pass-catching TE in the league. The Golden Eagles may try to exploit Edinboro’s rush defense, however, with Alfonso Hoggard, the league’s leading rusher and one of only two backs in the league that qualify that average over 100 rushing ypg. The Fighting Scots are one of the best in the league against the pass but have been one of the worst this year against the run.
Hoggard give the Golden Eagles the edge on kick returns, as he averages 27.8 ypr on kicks and is also solid on punt returns at 5.2. Edinboro counters with Ben Swank’s 30.0 ypr average on punt returns but that has come on just four and the Scots have returned just eight punts this year and average just 17.8 ypr on kicks. Both clubs have accurate kickers, Edinboro with Alex Romanias and Clarion with Robert Mamula while both teams are fairly even in net punt average as well.
Series/Game Notes
Edinboro leads the all-time series with Clarion by a slim 41-37-2 margin...The Fighting Scots won last year’s meeting by a 35-10 score at Clarion...Edinboro has won the last six, seven of the last eight, and eight of the last 10 meetings with Clarion...Clarion’s last win in the series came in 2002.
Millersville (3-6, 2-4) at East Stroudsburg (6-3, 3-3)
Oct. 31 - 1:00 p.m.
East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Eiler-Martin Stadium (6,000)
TV: PA SportsFever Network
Radio/Internet: millersvilleathletics.com/WVPO 840 AM/RedZoneMedia.com
Millersville Leaders
Rushing: Brad Lantz (131 car., 533 yds., 4.1 ypc, 59.2 ypg, 5 TD)
Cardoza Jacks (53 car., 280 yds., 5.3 ypc, 31.1 ypg, 3 TD)
Passing: Bill Shirk (135-259-7, 52.1 pct., 1474 yds., 163.8 ypg, 12 TD)
Receiving: Jamal Smith (41 rec., 604 yds., 14.7 ypc, 67.1 ypg, 10 TD)
Matt Egenrieder (26 rec., 216 yds., 8.3 ypc, 24.0 ypg, 0 TD)
East Stroudsburg Leaders
Rushing: Zach Krise (102 car., 472 yds., 4.6 ypc, 78.7 ypg, 5 TD)
Passing: Matt Marshall (166-270-9, 61.5 pct., 2175 yds., 241.7 ypg, 17 TD)
Receiving: Jeff Giglio (37 rec., 610 yds., 16.5 ypc, 76.2 ypg, 2 TD)
Ed Kiser (31 rec., 548 yds., 17.7 ypc, 60.9 y pg, 4 TD)
Sam Shuman (22 rec., 308 yds., 14.0 ypc, 34.2 ypg, 5 TD)
Conference Ranks Millersville East Stroudsburg
Scoring Offense/Defense 20.3/14th; 39.2/15th 26.4/7th; 22.8/8th
Rush Offense/Defense 108.9/15th; 254.8/16th 126.0/13th; 154.6/10th
Pass Offense/Defense 166.1/9th; 214.0/15th 266.3/1st; 207.6/14th
Total Offense/Defense 275.0/14th; 468.8/16th 392.3/4th; 362.1/12th
Coaches
Millersville: Greg Colby (2nd yr.; 4-16 career record)
East Stroudsburg: Denny Douds (36th yr.; 224-145-3 career record)
What to Expect
Millersville is playing perhaps its best football of the year, at least on offense, and the Marauders enter this game hoping to end their divisional schedule with three wins in their last four games. On the other side, East Stroudsburg still has NCAA playoff hopes, as the Warriors are ranked eighth in this week’s NCAA regional rankings, and they must win to maintain those hopes.
Millersville QB Bill Shirk has thrown for his two highest passing totals of the year in two of the last three games. Last week, WR Jamal Smith caught four touchdown passes as MU’s upset win over Kutztown, which has the league’s worst passing defense. This week, the Marauders will probably look to do more of the same as East Stroudsburg is also allowing more than 200 ypg in passing. Smith has accounted 10 of MU’s 12 passing TDs this year, so the Warriors may look to play double coverage on him.
Just Millersville will likely try to air it out, the Warriors can be counted on to do the same, as they have the league’s top passing offense and one that has run the ball less as the season has gone along after having success doing so early in the year. QB Matt Marshall has the second-most passing yards in the league and is one of just three QBs over 2,000 yards at this point in the season, however, with the return of RB Zach Krise after he missed a few games, the Warriors may elect to run the ball more against the league’s worst rush defense, although the Marauders defense did put up its second-best performance of the year last week, holding an otherwise usually strong Kutztown run attack to 206 yards.
Lou Brown is a solid punt returner for Millersville, averaging 8.0 ypr but he has returned just eight punts and the Marauders have returned just 12 as a team. The Marauders average just 20.4 ypr on kicks. K John Banzhof is 6-for-12 on FGs and 21-for-23 on PATs. ESU averages just 3.3 ypr on punts, and despite having two explosive threats in Jeff Giglio and Ed Kiser returning the majority of kickoffs, have not had one return go for over 40 yards this year. K Drew Reinhard is 6-for-11 on FGs and 28-for-32 on PATs. Millersville has a slight one-yard advantage on net punt average but the Marauders give up an average of 7.9 ypr on punts compared to just 2.0 ypr for the Warriors.
Series/Game Notes
East Stroudsburg leads the all-time series with Millersville 35-24-1...The Warriors won last year’s meeting 45-18 at Millersville...ESU has won seven of the last eight meetings with Millersville, with the Marauders’ last win coming in 2007.
Kutztown (3-6, 1-5) at C.W. Post (4-5, 4-2)
Oct. 31 - 1:00 p.m.
Brookville, N.Y.
Hickox Field (5,000)
Radio/Internet: WEEU 830 AM/kubears.com/wcwpsports.com
Kutztown Leaders
Rushing: Dontay Wilson (119 car., 623 yds., 5.2 ypc, 69.2 ypg, 4 TD)
Passing: Kevin Morton (117-204-4, 57.4 pct., 1327 yds., 221.2 ypg, 10 TD)
Receiving: Chris McCormick (42 rec., 520 yds., 12.4 ypc, 57.8 ypg, 5 TD)
Dominick Massey (22 rec., 259 yds., 11.8 ypc, 37.0 ypg, 3 TD)
C.W. Post Leaders
Rushing: Thomas Beverly (166 car., 918 yds., 5.5 ypc, 102.0 ypg, 8 TD)
Eric Anderwkavich (117 car., 613 yds., 5.2 ypc, 68.1 ypg, 4 TD)
Passing: Eric Andrewkavich (122-206-5, 59.2 pct., 1493 yds., 165.9 ypg, 16 TD)
Receiving: Chris Harris (45 rec., 671 yds., 14.9 ypc, 74.6 ypg, 6 TD)
Darnal Williams (32 rec., 372 yds., 11.6 ypc, 46.5 ypg, 7 TD)
Conference Ranks Kutztown C.W. Post
Scoring Offense/Defense 23.0/11th; 25.4/11th 27.9/6th; 21.3/6th
Rush Offense/Defense 149.4/7th; 110.7/5th 226.8/1st; 127.1/8th
Pass Offense/Defense 192.9/7th; 243.6/16th 183.7/8th; 154.1/1st
Total Offense/Defense 342.3/8th; 354.2/11th 410.4/1st; 281.2/5th
Coaches
Kutztown: Raymond Monica (4th yr.; 17-24 career record)
C.W. Post: Bryan Collins (12th yr.; 91-39 career record)
What to Expect
This appears to be a matchup of two teams going in opposite directions, as Kutztown is struggling, having gone just 1-6 after starting the season 2-0 while C.W. Post, after starting the season 0-3 is 4-2 in its last six games and is putting up some eye-popping numbers.
The Pioneers continue to lead the league by a wide margin (nearly 50 yards over second place California)in rushing offense behind RB Thomas Beverly and QB Eric Anderwkavich. Beverly leads the PSAC in total rushing yards and it looking to become the first PSAC back to reach 1,000 yards this year while Anderwkavich is also solid throwing the ball, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes with 16 TDs to just 5 interceptions. Post may be forced to throw the ball a little bit more as the Golden Bears have an outstanding rush defense but the league’s worst pass defense, one that has picked off a league-low three passes this year. If that is the case, look for big games from top receivers Chris Harris and Darnal Williams, who have combined for 13 TD grabs on the year.
Kutztown has struggled on offense as of late, and although their passing game has gotten a boost from early on with QB Kevin Morton taking over as the starter, their running game, which was very strong last year and early on this year, has struggled, as the only game the Golden Bears have gone over 125 yards rushing in the last six have been against two of the worst rushing defenses in the league in Cheyney and Millersville. Still, RB Dontay Wilson still averages a very impressive 5.2 ypc, and he will likely need to have a big game for the Bears to stay in the game, as Post has the league’s best pass defense.
One area that has been fairly consistent this year for the Golden Bears is special teams, as Kendell Coleman gives them a persistant threat in the return game, averaging 26.3 ypr on kicks and 9.5 ypr on punt. Despite his outstanding average, the Bears only average 19.5 ypr on kicks as a team. K Matt Dineen leads the PSAC in field goals made the Bears have had some problems on PATs as of late as Dineen has missed two in the last two weeks. Post has also had issues on PATs, as they are just 27-for-34 and 2-for-5 on FGs. Ciwan McCoy averages just 3.8 ypr on punts while Juma McKenley gives the Pioneers a big-play threat on kicks with a 23.0 ypr average. Kutztown holds an advantage over Post of nearly five yards in net punting average.
Series/Game Notes
Kutztown leads C.W. Post in the all-time series 3-0...The Golden Bears won by a 21-14 score at home last year and prior to that, Kutztown won both games in a home-and-home series in 1982 and 1983...All three games in the series have been decided by single digits.
Gannon (4-5, 2-4) at IUP (4-5, 1-5)
Oct.31 - 1:00 p.m.
Indiana, Pa.
Miller Stadium (6,000)
Radio/Internet: Jet Radio 1400 AM/gannonsports.com/WQMU 92.5 FM/RedZoneMedia.com
Gannon Leaders
Rushing: Jon Richardson (152 car., 785 yds., 5.2 ypc, 87.2 ypg, 16 TD)
Zach Boedicker (77 car., 421 yds., 5.5 ypc, 46.8 ypg, 1 TD)
Passing: Zach Boedicker (94-166-5, 56.6 pct., 1062 yds., 118.0 ypg, 6 TD)
Receiving: Corey Bradley (20 rec., 208 yds., 10.4 ypc, 23.1 ypg, 0 TD)
Levar Goff (19 rec., 258 yds., 13.6 ypc, 28.7 ypg, 2 TD)
IUP Leaders
Rushing: Tobias Robinson (188 car., 836 yds., 4.4 ypc, 92.9 ypg, 5 TD)
Harvie Tuck (78 car., 423 yds., 5.4 ypc, 84.6 ypg, 4 TD)
Passing: Andrew Krewatch (77-152-8, 50.7 pct., 957 yds., 191.4 ypg, 5 TD)
Pat Smith (45-90-2, 50.0 pct., 462 yds., 66.0 ypg, 4 TD)
Receiving: Mychal Skinner (31 rec., 423 yds., 13.6 ypc, 52.9 ypg, 3 TD)
Javon Rowan (28 rec., 373 yds., 13.3 ypc, 46.6 ypg, 5 TD)
Conference Ranks Gannon IUP
Scoring Offense/Defense 25.8/8th; 30.2/13th 24.0/10th; 19.3/4th
Rush Offense/Defense 171.1/5th; 172.8/13th 152.1/6th; 103.9/4th
Pass Offense/Defense 161.7/11th; 192.1/12th 157.7/12th; 173.0/4th
Total Offense/Defense 332.8/9th; 364.9/13th 309.8/11th; 276.9/4th
Coaches
Gannon: Jim Kiernan (3rd yr.; 9-22 career record)
IUP: Lou Tepper (4th yr.; 94-69-2 career record; 29-12 at IUP)
What to Expect
Gannon enters this game with two straight wins, seemingly having righted the ship after losing four straight while IUP needs to win this game and next week to avoid the program’s first losing season since 1982.
The Golden Knights have had two of their better offensive performances of the year over the last two weeks, but may have a harder time generating as many yards and points against IUP’s defense, which despite the team’s struggles, has been a strong point for most of the year. The are coming off their worst performance of the year in terms of rush defense, however, having allowing over 200 rushing yards for the first time all year in last week’s loss to Clarion, so look the Golden Knights to try running a lot of RB Jon Richardson, who has gone over 100 yards in each of the last two games.
IUP’s offense is slowly improving under freshman QB Pat Smith, having scored its two highest points totals in the last two weeks since he took over as the starting QB for the injured Andrew Krewatch. A solid running game has likely helped as freshman RB Harvie Tuck has emerged to make a strong 1-2 punch with starter Tobias Robinson in the backfield. That duo is now combining for nearly 170 ypg, which is just a hair under what Gannon is giving up on the ground per game, so the Crimson Hawks will also likely look to run the ball first in this matchup.
The Crimson Hawks have stayed in almost all of the games they have lost this year due to their play on special teams, specifically that of Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, who has three punt returns and two kickoff returns for TDs this year. He averages 13.4 ypr on punts and 29.3 ypr on kicks, giving IUP a large advantage in those two areas. Gannon also had a big-play threat in the return game in Tyler Batts, who averages 21.0 ypr on kicks and 12.3 ypr on punts, although as a team, Gannon averages just 18.2 ypr on kicks. Both kickers are also strong with IUP’s Craig Burgess still perfect on PATs and 6-for-8 on FGs and Gannon’s Jeremy Ditzler 9-for-11 on FGs and 27-for-28 on PATs. IUP enjoys over a three-yard advantage in the net punting department, but Gannon only allows an average of 1.6 ypr on punts, a number that likely will be tested by Owusu-Ansah, while IUP allows 3.3 ypr, a figure that also likely will be tested by Batts.
Series/Game Notes
IUP leads Gannon 1-0 in the all-time series after last year’s 35-10 win in Erie.
Mercyhurst (4-5, 3-3) at #20/14 California (7-2, 6-0)
Oct. 31 - 3:30 p.m.
California, Pa.
Adamson Stadium (6,500)
TV: FSN-Pittsburgh
Mercyhurst Leaders
Rushing: Gerald Anderson (99 car., 463 yds., 4.7 ypc, 51.4 ypg, 5 TD)
Ben Jennings (136 car., 462 yds., 3.4 ypc, 51.3 ypg, 5 TD)
Passing: Joe Laffey (126-255-11, 49.4 pct., 1380 yds., 153.3 ypg, 11 TD)
Receiving: Josh Szeluga (33 rec., 423 yds., 12.8 ypc, 47.0 ypg, 2 TD)
Trevor Kennedy (30 rec., 434 yds., 14.5 ypc, 48.2 ypg, 2 TD)
California Leaders
Rushing: Freddie Bacco (109 car., 482 yds., 4.4 ypc, 53.6 ypg, 5 TD)
Windell Brown (63 car., 369 yds., 5.9 ypc, 46.1 ypg, 5 TD)
Passing: Josh Portis (121-223-5, 54.3 pct., 1821 yds., 202.3 ypg, 21 TD)
Receiving: A.J. Jackson (55 rec., 807 yds., 14.7 ypc, 89.7 ypg, 11 TD)
Terrance Moore (29 rec., 481 yds., 16.6 ypc, 53.4 ypg, 7 TD)
Chedrick Cherry (17 rec., 364 yds., 21.4 ypc, 40.4 ypg, 3 TD)
Conference Ranks Mercyhurst California
Scoring Offense/Defense 21.6/13th; 20.1/5th 35.0/1st; 18.6/3rd
Rush Offense/Defense 125.1/14th; 118.9/6th 177.7/2nd; 88.4/2nd
Pass Offense/Defense 164.4/10th; 181.6/9th 215.1/4th; 180.8/8th
Total Offense/Defense 289.6/12th; 300.4/6th 392.8/3rd; 269.2/2nd
Coaches
Mercyhurst: Marty Schaetzle ()8th yr.; 32-52 career record)
California: John Luckhardt (8th yr.; 201-63-2 career record; 64-26 at Cal)
What to Expect
California has already clinched a spot in the PSAC championship game next week but with a win, the Vulcans can assure themselves of their third straight outright PSAC West championship, after having already assured themselves of their fifth straight West title, including two shared championships. Mercyhurst needs a win to avoid a losing season on the heels of last year’s 7-4 breakthrough.
The Lakers have struggled moving the ball consistently on offense this year, particularly on the ground, and going up against the Vulcans defense likely will not change that, as Cal now has the league’s second-best rush defense, holding opponents under 90 ypg rushing and the Vulcans have allowed only one of their past six opponents to run for more than 90 yards. The Vulcans’ pass defense has also been solid, and they have given up just six passing touchdowns in the last seven games. Mercyhurst has also scored more than 30 points just once this year, but to their credit, the Lakers do have five passing TDs in the last two games despite not going for over 200 passing yards in either game.
The reason the Lakers will likely need to score a chunk of points to stay in the game is because the Vulcans have been scoring points in bunches lately, scoring at least 40 in three of their last four games to take over the top spot in the league in scoring offense. Although QB Josh Portis had his impressive interception-less streak snapped last week, he still has just one pick in his last six games while having thrown 21 TD passes in that same span. The running is also taking off after struggling early and that has coincided with the return of a healthy Windell Brown, who has slowed earlier in the season by injuries. The Vulcans have run for nearly one-third of their season rushing total in the last three weeks and their 10 rushing TDs in the last three weeks accounts for two-third of their total for the season. The Lakers do have a solid defense and will need to slow down the high-flying Vulcan offense to keep the game close. Only once this year has a Laker opponent run for more than 200 yards.
Andrew Bailey averages an impressive 26.4 ypr on kicks for Mercyhurst while the Lakers average 7.3 on punt returns led by Paris Bruner’s 6.4 average. Cal counters with a 9.5 ypr average on punts led by Josh Gumbert and a 25.3 average on kicks led by Terrence Johnson and Chedrick Cherry.
Series/Game Notes
California leads the all-time series with Mercyhurst 1-0 after winning last year’s game by a 17-6 score in Erie...Cal, which has already clinched at least a share of its fifth straight PSAC West title, can claim its third straight outright championship with a win.