The official site of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference

Football-Week 8

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 10:22 AM

*Ranking order: AFCA/D2football.com

Game Previews
 
California (PA) (4-0, 6-1) at Gannon (0-4, 1-6)                                     California preview / Gannon preview
October 20 - 12:00 PM
Erie, PA
University Field (2,500)
 

Conference Ranks  Scoring Offense/Defense   Rush Offense/Defense            Pass Offense/Defense   Total Offense/Defense

California  32.7 / 9th; 22.9 / 4th  125.0 / 11th; 117.7 / 5th    342.1 / 3rd; 264.6 / 12th  467.1 / 3rd; 382.3 / 8th

Gannon      21.6 / 12th; 32.6 / 11th 45.6 / 16th; 215.0 / 15th 296.0 / 4th; 166.4 / 2nd 341.6 / 13th; 381.4 / 7th

                                                                                                                       



Game Notes
- Last week the No. 15, California Vulcans, shutout Lock Haven by a score of 30-0. This was California’s first shutout of the season.
- Gannon is following a 38-29 setback against Mercyhurst in which they broke a school passing record with 428 yards. 
- Gannon quarterback, Liam Nadler, finished 25-of-42 for 428 yards and three touchdowns. The redshirt freshman broke the school's single-game passing record that he previously set with 420 yards in the season opener.
- Last week, California found success in a redshirt freshman, Cody Schroeder. Schroeder passed for three touchdowns against Lock Haven.
- California’s defensive unit allowed just 116 yards of total offense by Lock Haven last Saturday.
- California ranks third in pass offense with 342.1 yards per game in the conference while Gannon ranks fourth with 296.
- Gannon enters the game with the second best pass defense in the PSAC.


 
Clarion (1-3, 3-4) at Lock Haven (0-4, 0-7)                                        Clarion preview / Lock Haven preview
October 20 -12:00 PM
Lock Haven, PA
Hubert Jack Stadium (3,500)
 

Conference Ranks  Scoring Offense/Defense   Rush Offense/Defense            Pass Offense/Defense   Total Offense/Defense

Clarion  18.1 / 13th; 24.4 / 6th    175.0 / 5th; 134.9 / 6th   226.0 / 8th; 212.7 / 5th   401.0 / 8th; 347.6 / 4th

Lock Haven                                   5.8 / 16th; 34.3 / 13th 54.7 / 15th; 173.5 / 11th 144.2 / 15th; 248.0 / 9th 198.8 / 16th; 421.5 / 11th

                                     





Game Notes
- Lock Haven is set for its 2012 Homecoming game, coming off a 30-0 loss at No. 15 California (Pa.) last weekend.
- The Bald Eagles have put together a number of strong defensive outings and are looking for their first win of the season this weekend in front of the home faithful.
- Clarion quarterback, Ben Fiscus has rushed for 557 yards and 4 TDs including a record 88-yard TD run at LIU-Post. He has also completed 129-of-247 passes for 1,582 yards and 10 TDs on the season.
- A 2007 season-finale 17-14 overtime win over Clarion was the last victory Lock Haven has enjoyed. 
- Reid has been Fiscus’ preferred target and he leads the team with 38 catches for 636 yards and 2 TDs.
- Clarion's defense ranks fourth in the PSAC in yards allowed, fifth in pass defense, and sixth in both rushing defense and points allowed.
- Clarion controls the series that dates back to 1928, 43-16-1. Clarion has won the last four meetings dating back to Lock Haven's last win in 2007.


 
Mercyhurst (4-0, 6-1) at Indiana (PA) (3-1, 6-1)                                         Mercyhurst preview / IUP preview
October 20 – 1:00 PM
Indiana, PA
Miller Stadium (6,000)
 

Conference Ranks                 Scoring Offense/Defense    Rush Offense/Defense  Pass Offense/Defense   Total Offense/Defense

Mercyhurst  34.0 / 7th; 21.4 / 2nd        235.9 / 3rd; 169.1 / 10th 153.7 / 12th; 166.6 / 3rd   389.6 / 9th; 335.7/ 3rd

IUP                                36.4 / 4th; 9.3 / 1st 303.9 / 2nd; 52.6 / 1st 144.7 / 14th; 165.6 / 1st 448.6 / 5th; 218.1 / 1st

                       





Game Notes
- IUP, coming-off a 26-10 win against Edinboro, boasts a defense that is ranked first among most categories in the conference including scoring, rushing, passing, and total defense. Its offense is also ranked second in the PSAC only behind Bloomsburg with 303.9 yards per game.
- Mercyhurst defeated Gannon 38-29 last week to extend its winning streak to six games and improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the PSAC West.
- Mercyhurst senior defenseman and special teamer, L.J. Stevens has been honored by Beyond Sports Network for his performance last Saturday against crosstown-rival Gannon, along with being named the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week.
- Stevens finished tied for second on the team with five tackles (one solo and four assisted). He registered a fumble recovery for 11 yards on Gannon's first possession of the game, which eventually led to a Mercyhurst touchdown. On Gannon's next possession, Stevens was there to upset the Golden Knights once again with an interception for nine yards. He also recorded an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
- Last week, IUP's Harvie Tuck rushed for over 100 yards for the fifth time this year as he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight season. Tuck also moved into second place on IUP's all-time career rushing list with 3,854 yards.
- The two squads are both 6-1 and will be fighting for the West's top slot.
 
  

Millersville (1-3, 2-5) at LIU Post (1-3, 2-4)                                       Millersville preview / LIU Post preview
October 20 – 1:00 PM
Brookville, NY
Hickox Field (5,000)
 

Conference Ranks         Scoring Offense/Defense  Rush Offense/Defense         Pass Offense/Defense         Total Offense/Defense

Millersville  17.7 / 14th; 36.9 / 14th 113.7 / 12th; 262.7 / 16th 146.6 / 13th; 216.3 / 6th  260.3 / 14th; 479.0 / 16th

LIU Post    27.7 / 10th; 30.7 / 9th 164.7 / 7th; 207.3 / 14th 191.2 / 10th; 253.5 / 11th 355.8 / 12th; 460.8 / 15th

                       






Game Notes
- Millersville most recently shutout Cheyney 35-0 at the Maurader's homecoming game, while LIU Post is following a 41-6 loss against West Chester.
- Millersville's Dominic Sanders and Mike Jones combined for four touchdowns and an opportunistic defense generated five turnovers in the Cheyney victory.
- LIU Post quarterback, Steve Laurino continues to lead his team in rushing touchdowns (7) and rushing yards gained (385). He also over a thousand passing yards on the year.
- Millersville quarterback, Ted Stachitas, finds himself in a similar situation as Laurino as he also leads his team in rushing yards gained (340) along with total touchdowns (6).
 
 
 
Bloomsburg (4-0, 7-0) at Cheyney (0-4, 1-6)                                        Bloomsburg preview / Cheyney preview
October 20 – 1:00 PM
Cheyney, PA
O-Shields-Stevenson Stadium (5,000)
 

Conference Ranks Scoring Offense/Defense Rush Offense/Defense      Pass Offense/Defense  Total Offense/Defense

Bloomsburg 41.0 / 3rd; 24.4 / 7th 349.3 / 1st; 96.0 / 3rd  177.4 / 11th; 266.4 / 13th 526.7 / 2nd; 362.4 / 5th

Cheyney  12.6 / 15th; 43.4 / 16th 157.0 / 8th; 199.6 / 13th 69.6 / 16th; 232.4 / 8th 226.6 / 15th; 432.0 / 12th

Game Notes
- Last week, Cheyney turned the ball over five times resulting in a 35-0 defeat at Millersville.
- Bloomsburg's defense has not allowed a run this year longer than 24 yards through seven games.  It allows an average of 96 yards on the ground per game, good for third in the PSAC and 13th in Division II. 
- Bloomsburg receivers, Ryan Dickerson and Glenn Hutton Jr.  have stepped up in a big way the last two weeks. They are both coming off career highs last week against East Stroudsburg, with Hutton hauling-in 120 yards and Dickerson recording a career-best 117 yards.
- Cheyney has been led offensively by its quarterback Blaze Wasserleben.  Along with passing for 414 yards and three touchdowns, the junior has run for 391 yards and a score. However, Cheyney's seven interceptions and 18 fumbles lost have plagued the Wolves into a six-game skid after their season-opening 34-21 victory over Lincoln (PA).
- Bloomsburg’s win last week marked the first time in school history that the team has scored 30 or more points in seven straight games to open a season.  Bloomsburg is one of two 7-0, 4-0 teams in the PSAC (Shippensburg), and one of 10 undefeated schools in Division II.


 
Kutztown (1-3, 3-4, ) at East Stroudsburg (2-2, 3-3)               Kutztown preview / East Stroudsburg preview
October 20 – 1:05 PM
East Stroudsburg, PA
Eiler-Martin Stadium (6,000)
 

Conference Ranks  Scoring Offense/Defense Rush Offense/Defense Pass Offense/Defense Total Offense/Defense

Kutztown 44.4 / 2nd; 38.3 / 15th  111.0 / 13th; 161.7 / 9th 353.3 / 2nd; 290.1 / 16th  464.3 / 4th; 451.9 / 14th

East Stroudsburg  33.0 / 8th; 32.8 / 12th 152.0 / 10th; 154.2 / 8th 272.8 / 6th; 285.8 / 15th 424.8 / 7th; 440.0 / 13th

Game Notes
- Last week, East Stroudsburg trailed No. 6 Bloomsburg 21-17 late in the 3rd quarter and 28-20 early in the 4th before the Huskies pulled away for a 48-27 win.
- East Stroudsburg’s last four games have featured at least 27 points on both sides of the scoreboard for the first time in school history. The Warriors have scored at least 21 points in all six games, while Kutztown has posted at least 24 points in all seven of its games, including 35 or more in six games. 
- Kutztown's Kevin Morton set single game records for pass attempts, completions, and passing yards in this season and also joined the exclusive club of 10,000 passing yards and 100 career touchdown passes.  
- Fans at Kutztown last week saw a record-setting passing showdown between the Golden Bears and No. 16 Shippensburg, unfortunately for KU, it was the Red Raiders coming out on top with a 73-35 win.
- ESU and Kutztown have met 60 times, with the Warriors holding a 43-16-1 advantage. ESU won 9 straight from 2001-09 until Kutztown won 38-31 (2010) and 49-32 (2011) in the last two years. 
 


Shippensburg (4-0, 7-0) at West Chester (3-1, 5-2)           Shippensburg preview / West Chester preview
October 20 – 2:00 PM
West Chester, PA
Farrell Stadium (7,500)
 

Conference Ranks Scoring Offense/Defense Rush Offense/Defense         Pass Offense/Defense         Total Offense/Defense

Shippensburg  53.6 / 1st; 21.6 / 3rd 155.1 / 9th; 82.6 / 2nd  423.1 / 1st; 223.0 / 7th 578.3 / 1st; 305.6 / 2nd

West Chester 35.6 / 5th; 24.1 / 5th 167.6 / 6th; 106.1 / 4th 268.3 / 7th; 278.7 / 14th 435.9 / 6th; 384.9 / 9th

Game Notes
- Shippensburg had record-setting days last Saturday for both quarterback Zach Zulli and receiver Trevor Harman. Zulli tied the PSAC single-game record with nine touchdown passes while also setting school single-game records in each of the following statistics: 46 completions on 61 attempts for 581 yards passing (third-most in PSAC single-game history). Harman, meanwhile, set school single-game records with 18 catches, 288 yards receiving and five touchdown catches, with the receptions and touchdown marks tying PSAC single-game records.
- Shippensburg has not won 12 consecutive games since the 1981 team began its season 12-0.
- The Golden Rams are led by junior runningback Rondell White (881 yards, seven touchdowns) and senior quarterback Mike Mattei (20 touchdowns, six interceptions).
- The Red Raiders enter the game with the nation’s No. 1 total offense and passing offense. SU is averaging 578.3 yards per game on offense, which includes an average of 423.14 passing yards per game. Shippensburg has also posted 53.5 points per game, which ranks second in the nation behind Henderson State (56.8 ppg).
- On defense, West Chester is led by reigning PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week Ronell Williams, a sophomore linebacker who leads the team in tackles (78), tackles for loss (5.5) and interceptions (three).
- West Chester holds a 21-9-1 lead in the series history. Until earning a victory in 2009, Shippensburg had lost five in a row and 11 out of 15 against the Golden Rams. Shippensburg’s victory in 2009 was its first at home over the Golden Rams since the 1999 season.  
 
 
 
Edinboro (2-2, 3-3) at Slippery Rock (2-2, 3-4)                                Edinboro preview / Slippery Rock preview
October 20 – 2:00 PM
Slippery Rock, PA
Mihalik- Thompson Stadium (10,000)
 

Conference Ranks        Scoring Offense/Defense Rush Offense/Defense Pass Offense/Defense  Total Offense/Defense

Edinboro 24.7 / 11th; 24.5 / 8th 85.3 / 14th; 185.7 / 12th 272.8 / 5th; 194.5 / 4th 358.2 / 11th; 380.2 / 6t

Slippery Rock  34.1 / 6th; 32.0 / 10th 175.6 / 4th; 153.1 / 7th  194.0 / 9th; 250.6 / 10th 369.6 / 10th; 403.7 / 10th

 
Game Notes
- Edinboro saw its three-game winning streak snapped last Saturday in a 26-10 loss to 22nd-ranked Indiana (Pa.), evening the Fighting Scots' record at 3-3.  All three of Edinboro's losses have come to nationally-ranked teams. 
- Slippery Rock broke a three-game losing skid with last week's 28-20 win at Clarion.
- Rock junior quarterback Nigel Barksdale was named the PSAC Western Division "Offensive Player of the Week" after passing for 257 yards and two TDs and running for a third score in last Saturday's win at Clarion.
- Slippery Rock leads the series with Edinboro 48-23-7. 
- The Rock has won the last two meetings, snapping a two-game wining streak by the Fighting Scots.  Before that it was SRU with a pair of wins to break Edinboro's three-game wining streak.  The Rock has won two of the last three games at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.