Football - Week 1
PSAC Standings
PSAC Composite Schedule/Results (w/applicable live stats, audio and video links)
Like the PSAC on Facebook
Follow the PSAC on Twitter
A total of 13 non-conference games involving the PSAC are on the schedule for this weekend as the 2012 football season kicks off around the country, including in the PSAC. Eight of the 13 games in Week 1 in the PSAC will be played on Thursday night, with a single game on Friday and four more on Saturday.
The week kicks off with what was originally scheduled to be the first game in the NCAA to kick off in 2012. But, due to weather, the first game of the year in the NCAA will now be on Wednesday night. However, that one game may be the unofficial "Game of the Week" in Division II as it is one of just three games in all of Division II that matches up a pair of Top 25 teams as Hillsdale from the GLIAC travels to meet California. That game is the first of eight scheduled for Thursday night. Also in action on Thursday are defending PSAC East and West champions Kutztown and Slippery Rock. The defending PSAC champion Golden Bears will host St. Anselm while defending West champion The Rock will host future PSAC West foe Seton Hill, which begins its final season in the WVIAC before joining the PSAC in 2013. West Chester also travels to Delaware in what is scheduled to be the final game of that long-played series.
Saturday's games are highlighted by the annual Great Valley Classic at Shepherd travels to meet Shippensburg with the Red Raiders looking for their first win in the series since 2004. Cheyney travels to meet Lincoln as the Lions open their new stadium in the annual "Battle of the Firsts."
AFCA Top 25 Poll
PSAC Teams Ranked This Week – 8/13 (Preseason Poll)
11. California
12. Kutztown
25. Bloomsburg
RV: IUP, Slippery Rock
D2football.com Top 25 Poll
PSAC Teams Ranked This Week – 8/28 (Preseason Poll)
11. California
18. Kutztown
21. Bloomsburg
PSAC Football - Week One Notes - 8/29/12
Quick Hits
- The Hillsdale-California game was scheduled to be the first NCAA football game to kick off this year. No other football game at any NCAA level was to begin sooner on Thursday than this game. However, due to Hurricane Isaac, the Henderson State-Southern Nazarene game will now be played on Wednesday night, making Hillsdale-California the second game to kickoff this year in the NCAA.
- Since the current setup of the PSAC went into effect in 2008, the PSAC is 32-30 in regular season non-conference action, including 32-25 against Division II opponents.
- This season will mark the second straight year but only the third overall time in league history that a 3,000-yard passer and a 2,000-yard rusher both return to the PSAC at the same time. QB Kevin Morton of Kutztown and RB Franklyn Quiteh of Bloomsburg both return to the PSAC as well as California QB Peter Lalich. Morton threw for over 3,000 yards in 2010, while Quiteh ran for over 2,000 yards in 2010 as well. Lalich threw for over 3,000 yards last season. The only other time this previously happened was in 2006 when Bloomsburg’s Jamar Brittingham (RB) and East Stroudsburg’s Jimmy Terwilliger (QB) both returned followed their record seasons.
Getting to Know You
Some PSAC schools have gotten quite well acquainted with their Week 1 opponents over the last couples of seasons. In fact, a quarter of the PSAC's schools (four) will be playing their Week 1 opponent in the first week of the season for at least the fifth straight year. Listed below are the four matchups that will be occuring in Week 1 for at least the fourth straight year.
Shippensburg-Shepherd (7)
Clarion-Fairmont State (5)
Gannon-Lake Erie (5)
Kutztown-St. Anselm (5)
PSAC in Non-Conference Action
PSAC schools will play a total of 13 non-conference games this season. Among the conferences that this year’s non-conference opponents will come from include the Northeast 10, WVIAC, CIAA, GLIAC and two Division I FCS teams. Listed below is the conference breakdown of each of this year’s non-conference opponents, followed by the PSAC’s record the last four years in non-conference action, since the current setup of the PSAC went into effect.
WVIAC (4) - Fairmont State (Clarion), Seton Hill (Slippery Rock), Shepherd (Shippensburg), West Virginia Wesleyan (Millersville)
Northeast 10 (3) - St. Anselm (Kutztown), Stonehill (Bloomsburg), Southern Connecticut State (IUP)
GLIAC (3) - Hillsdale (California), Lake Erie (Gannon), Notre Dame College (Mercyhurst)
Division I FCS (2) - Fordham (Patriot) (Lock Haven), Delaware (CAA) (West Chester)
CIAA (1) - Lincoln (Cheyney)
2011 - 8-8 overall (8-7 vs. Divsion II)
Northeast 10: 3-2 (Wins - East Stroudsburg over Pace, Kutztown over St. Anselm, Edinboro over Merrimack; Losses - American International over C.W. Post, New Haven over West Chester)
WVIAC: 2-3 (Wins - Slippery Rock over Seton Hill, Edinboro over West Liberty; Losses - Fairmont State over Clarion, West Virginia Wesleyan over Millersville, Shepherd over Shippensburg)
GLIAC: 1-1 (Win - Bloomsburg over Ashland; Loss - Lake Erie over Gannon)
Northern Sun: 0-1 (Loss - St. Cloud State over California)
CIAA: 1-0 (Win - Cheyney over Lincoln)
Independent: 1-0 (Win - Mercyhurst over Notre Dame College)
Division I FCS: 0-1 (Loss - Delaware (CAA) over West Chester)
2010 - 9-7 overall (9-5 vs. Division II)
Northeast 10: 5-1 (Wins - Slippery Rock over Merrimack, East Stroudsburg over Pace, C.W. Post over American International, Kutztown over St. Anselm, IUP over Southern Connecticut State; Losses - Assumption over Millersville)
WVIAC: 1-2 (Wins - Edinboro over West Liberty; Losses - Shepherd over Shippensburg, Fairmont State over Clarion)
GLIAC: 2-1 (Wins - Gannon over Lake Erie, California over Saginaw Valley State; Losses - Ashland over Bloomsburg)
Division I FCS: 0-2 (Losses - Delaware (CAA) over West Chester, Virginia Military Institute (Big South) over Lock Haven)
CIAA: 0-1 (Lincoln over Cheyney)
Independents: 1-0 (Mercyhurst over Notre Dame College)
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; 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 (Mich.) 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)
FCS (CAA): 0-1 (Losses - Delaware over West Chester)
Team Notes
Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg begins its season on Friday, August 31 in Easton, Mass. for its first-ever matchup against Stonehill College … The Huskies are ranked 25th by AFCA to start the season … Junior RB’s Franklyn Quiteh and Eddie Mateo return after leading the PSAC in rushing last season … Quiteh needs 122 yards to move into fourth place on the BU all-time rushing list … BU is 32-42-1 in season openers, and 10-9 in the Danny Hale era … Hale enters his 20th season at the helm of the Huskies and needs one win to move into 14th in coaching victories for Division II at 204 … Six Huskies earned preseason All-America honors by BSN, including OL Brian Clarke, TE Dylan Manni, K/P Dan Fisher, Quiteh, LB Jarrett Pidgeon, and Mateo.
California
Cal U opens the season against a pair of conference-championship teams, beginning with GLIAC Champion Hillsdale … The Vulcans are 3-4-1 against schools that are currently members of the GLIAC … Mike Kellar will be making his debut as head coach at Cal U on Thursday … Eight of the last 10 head coaches of the Vulcans won their debuts … Cal U has opened the season against a nationally-ranked opponent four times in the last five years, posting a 3-1 record in those games … Senior DB Rontez Miles is one of just eight players from NCAA Division II programs featured on the Senior Bowl Watch List … Senior QB Peter Lalich returns after shattering the single-season school records with 3,725 yards, 283 completions and 447 attempts last year … The Vulcans have won seven of their last 10 season-openers.
Cheyney
The Wolves have 15 returning starters from a year ago including the entire offensive line … Cheyney will look to two time All-PSAC running back Marcus Jones to carry the load. Jones has rushed for over 1,500 yards in his first two seasons … However, Cheyney will feature a new quarterback and a new receiving corps … Linebackers will be the strength of the Cheyney defense. Shannon Burch, Isaiah Fleming and Tom Stewart look solid … Returning punter Tyler Wilkinson and place kicker Jewel Jones will also provide stability in the kicking game … The Wolves kick-off the season against Lincoln in the "Battle of the Firsts." It will be the first game played in Lincoln’s new on campus stadium … Last year the Wolves defeated Lincoln 21-19 for the first time ever. It was also the Wolves first season opening victory since 2000 as well as the first collegiate head coaching victory for Cheyney skipper Ken Lockard.
Clarion
The Golden Eagles open their 2012 gridiron season on Thursday, August 30, when Clarion hosts WVIAC rival Fairmont State at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m … The game will be televised live on ROOT Sports Network (Pittsburgh) and air on satellite and cable networks across Pennsylvania and West Virginia, along with parts of Ohio and New York … Junior signal caller Ben Fiscus will lead Clarion’s offense. Fiscus, who earned a starting spot midway through the 2010 season, has rushed for 1,319 yards and 11 TDs in his career, while passing for 1,861 yards and 12 TDs entering 2012 … End of the season sensation Patrick Graham-Murphy is not back with the Golden Eagles in 2012 … Former safety turned running back Bobby Thomas is expecting to step into the top ball carrier position and lead the Eagle running attack. Thomas had an excellent spring at running back, and the Eagles are hoping for a big year from the sophomore. He ran for over 1,000 yards his senior year in high school at Exeter Twp. Last year at safety he posted 38 tackles and 1 tfl as a red-shirt freshman.
East Stroudsburg
ESU enters its 39th season under Denny Douds, the PSAC’s all-time wins leader (232), who set the DII record for games coached last year … Douds enters the year with 397 games and will coach game #400 on Sept. 22 vs. Cheyney … Warriors are coming off back-to-back 3-8 seasons but have 8 starters back on an offense that ranked 5th in DII in passing last year … ESU will replace QB Ray Wagner, a Harlon Hill candidate, with either R-Jr. Nate Daniels, R-Fr. Matt Soltes or R-Sr. Steven Adams, the starter at Shippensburg in 2010 … ESU has the top 3 returning receivers in the PSAC in Jr. Dusty Reed (84.5 ypg), R-Sr. Jordan Hallman (77.6) and R-Jr. Robert Bleiler (65.9) … Also back are senior backs Kendrick Williams (1,645 career rushing yards) and Eric Deery (870 career yards), and three-year starters Seve Rivers and Wrenton Wright II on the offensive line … Jr. K Taylor Groff is 27-35 on field goals in two years … The defense replaces eight starters, including OLB Derek Brown, who died July 5 due to injuries suffered in a car accident on June 30 … ESU hosts Lock Haven on Sept. 8, Shippensburg and Cheyney to open its 10-game schedule.
Edinboro
The Fighting Scots are off this week and will play their season opener on Saturday, September 8 when they travel to meet up with PSAC East foe Bloomsburg in PSAC ‘crossover’ action … Edinboro and Bloomsburg have not met since the 2006 season.
Gannon
Gannon opens the 2012 season against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe Lake Erie for the fifth consecutive season … The previous four games between Gannon and Lake Erie have been decided by 12 total points … First-year head coach Brad Rzyczycki will lead Gannon onto the field for the first time as a head coach … Golden Knight head coaches are 1-3 all-time during their first game as Gannon’s head coach with Lou Tullio being the only Gannon coach to win his debut, a 27-0 victory over Alliance in 1949 … Gannon is expected to start a different quarterback for the third consecutive season opener as redshirt freshman Liam Nadler is listed No. 1 on the depth chart … Gannon is 11-13-1 all-time in home openers, including a 3-1 mark during the last four seasons … The Golden Knights are 12-12-1 all-time in season openers.
IUP
IUP ushers in the 2012 season on Saturday, September 1 as the Crimson Hawks host Southern Connecticut at George P. Miller Stadium … This is head coach Curt Cignetti’s second team at IUP after debuting with a 7-3 (5-2 PSAC West) record in his first season at the helm in 2011 … The Crimson Hawks are looking to extend their season-opening game win streak to seven games against the Owls, a team they’ve never lost to (6-0) … IUP has opened its season with Southern Connecticut two other times, winning 16-6 at home in 2010 and 28-21 on the road in 2009 … IUP is 17-5 in home openers dating back to 1990 … The Crimson Hawks return 15 starters from a year ago, including seven on each side of the ball … Sr. RB Harvie Tuck has 2,681 rushing yards, fourth all-time … Six offensive linemen with extensive starting experience also return, including Jr. Byron Dovales, an all-region left tackle.
Kutztown
Kutztown hosts Saint Anselm to open the 2012 season on Thursday, August 30 as the Golden Bears open defense of the 2011 PSAC Championship, the school’s first in its 96-year history … The KU offense will once again be led by quarterback Kevin Morton, the two-time defending PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year … Despite an injury that cut his season short, he still managed to pass for over 30 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 yards … Josh Mastromatto steps in for Robbie Frey at running back, but the senior tallied over 700 yards on the ground and caught 60 passes in 2011 … The offensive line of Aaron McGlynn, Nick Maloney, Chase Fraley, Rob Kee and Chris Oliver will be in its third year working together … On defense, safety Alex DiNolfi leads the way after leading Division II in interceptions last season … Cory Darby and Jason Ulmer also return as starters in the defensive backfield.
LIU Post
LIU Post opens its season at home against Clarion on Sept. 8 … This will be the first-ever meeting for both teams as the Pioneers have played every football program currently competing in the PSAC … Head coach Bryan Collins enters his 15th season at the helm of the Pioneers with a 107-47 overall record that includes a 17-10 mark in PSAC conference play … The Pioneers come into the season ranked third in the PSAC East preseason poll … Redshirt sophomore quarterback Steven Laurino looks to build on his successful freshman campaign last season, where he passed for 1,870 yards and 19 touchdowns and added 764 yards on the ground with three touchdowns … Junior running back Jeff Mack led the Pioneers in rushing with 865 yards and eight touchdowns and looks to help lead the Pioneers in scoring … LIU Post will open up conference play on Sept. 15 at Cheyney.
Lock Haven
Lock Haven kicks off the 2012 season on Thursday (Aug. 30) night at Fordham (DI FCS) at 7 p.m … It marks the 10th time since 2002 that Lock Haven will play a Division I team and the sixth time it will come in a season-opener … 2012 marks the second-season for Bald Eagle head coach John Allen and there is no place to go, but up for a team that has lost 42 straight games … The future looks bright however, as LHU returns three All-PSAC players from a year ago including tailback Brandon Brader … The Bethlehem, Pa. native rushed for 942 yards last year, which was fifth-best in all of the PSAC … Starting quarterback Jarrett Krazter is a proven veteran and brings senior leadership under center.
Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst is coming off of a 4-7 overall record in 2011, including a 2-5 mark in the PSAC West – the team’s worst record in the conference since the Lakers joined the PSAC in 2008 … Mercyhurst started last season with a 3-1 record, before enduring a five-game losing streak en route to its 4-7 mark … During the losing skid, Mercyhurst held leads in the fourth quarter in four of those games but were unable to hang on … Despite the below .500 record, Mercyhurst actually outscored its opposition by seven points (308-301) … This season, the Lakers will be looking at a mix of experienced veterans and some younger players on both sides of the ball. Mercyhurst returns seven starters on offense and six on defense who will be expected to help develop the younger players in the hopes of bouncing back in 2012 … Mercyhurst opens the 2012 season with a Thursday night tilt against Notre Dame College in Lyndhurst, Ohio. The Lakers are 2-0 lifetime against the Falcons, winning 23-0 in 2010 before winning an overtime thriller, 24-23, in week one of the regular season last year.
Millersville
Millersville opens its season at Chryst Field at Biemesderfer Stadium for just the second time under Coach Greg Colby and for just the fourth time since 2001 … Millersville is 1-3 under Colby in season openers, with the win coming at Assumption in 2009 … Millersville is 5-11 in season openers since 1996 and has lost six of its last seven season openers … Despite boasting a 467-425-3 all-time record, the Marauders are just 49-57-9 in season openers … They have fared much better at home in those games, posting a 14-5-2 mark since Biemesderfer Stadium opened in 1970 … Historically, Millersville has the advantage under the lights with a 35-15 mark in home night games … The last time Millersville opened the season at home with a victory was 2003, when it defeated Glenville State 27-25 under the direction of Kevin Keisel … Saturday is just the second-ever meeting between the two schools … Last season, the Bobcats handed Millersville its worst season-opening loss in school history (55-3).
Shippensburg
Shippensburg will kick off its 107thseason of football at 1 p.m. Saturday from SU Student Association Field at Seth Grove Stadium with a matchup against No. 19 Shepherd in the 14th annual Great Valley Classic … SU has three opponents on its schedule ranked among the nation’s Top 25 teams per the preseason coaches poll released in August by the AFCA. Aside from Shepherd, the other two ranked opponents are No. 12 Kutztown (2011 PSAC champions) and No. 25 Bloomsburg … Shippensburg enters the contest on a four-game winning streak that dates back to last season … Its most recent five-game winning streak occurred in Weeks 7-11 of the 2009 campaign … The Raiders are 57-46-4 all-time in season-opening games. Shippensburg has lost its last six season openers, all to Shepherd in the Great Valley Classic … Shippensburg has opened its season against Shepherd 22 times in history, totaling an 11-11 record which includes a 33-10 victory in the first opener between the teams back in the 1965 season.
Slippery Rock
The Rock open their 2012 season and George Mihalik’s 25th campaign as head coach with a Thursday night home game vs. Seton Hill ... The Rock hold a 2-1 edge in the all-time series thanks to a 51-14 season-opening win Sept. 3, 2011 in Greensburg ... Mihalik takes a 161-98-4 career record into the game. He ranks third among active PSAC head coaches, fifth on the PSAC all-time wins list and sixth among active NCAA Division II coaches in career wins ... Mihalik is 11-13 in season-opening games with eight of the losses coming against NCAA FCS (formerly I-AA) opponents ... Mihalik is 91-40 (.695) in home games ... Rock look to record fourth consecutive season-opening win ... Rock attack is led by four all-conference performers: OG Jesse Buck (transfer from West Virginia Wesleyan), C Austin Fedell, RB Akeem Satterfield and DE Jeff Thompson ... Buck, Fedell and Thompson all earned Preseason All-America honors this summer ... Season opener will mark debut of upgraded artificial turf playing surface at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
West Chester
West Chester opens its 91st season of college football on Thursday at Division I-FCS power Delaware. It is the 55th and final meeting in the series between regional rivals. They have played every year since 1968, for the exception of 2001 when the terrorist strikes on New York City cancelled the game. The Blue Hens lead the all-time series 46-6-2. West Chester last win came in 1992 … The Golden Rams will open their home slate the following Saturday when they meet up with Gannon University for the first time … West Chester returns experience and talent at the skill positions on offense … Head coach Bill Zwaan has settled on junior QB Sean McCartney under center. Defensively, the Rams will switch to a 4-2-5 formation in an effort to stop the run more effectively. WCU’s top six tacklers from a year ago return while the entire secondary returns intact as well.
#17/10 Hillsdale (0-0) at #11/11 California (0-0)
August 30 - 5:00 p.m.
California, Pa.
Adamson Stadium (6,500)
Conference Ranks (2011) Hillsdale California
Scoring Offense/Defense 31.6/4th; 22.9/3rd 31.2/4th; 16.1/2nd
Rush Offense/Defense 221.6/2nd; 145.0/5th 138.5/8th; 101.2/2nd
Pass Offense/Defense 241.6/4th; 164.5/1st 291.1/2nd; 170.0/2nd
Total Offense/Defense 463.3/2nd; 309.5/2nd 429.6/4th; 271.2/2nd
What to Expect
- Hillsdale will deploy a potent 1-2 punch behind All-American RB Joe Glendening and QB Anthony Mifsud. Glendening was second in the country last year, averaging over 160 ypg rushing while also scoring an NCAA-leading 27 rushing TDs and a total of 31 TDs to also lead the country. Mifsud completed 66.2 percent of his passes and guided a very balanced offense, which produced an almost even amount of rushing and passing yards while ranking second in the GLIAC. This will be going up what was a stingy California defense last season.
- The Vulcans’ offensive strength last season was its passing game but it will be going up against a Charger secondary that allowed the fewest passing yards in the GLIAC in 2011. California’s best chance on offense may be its running game, which returns two-time 1,000-yard rusher Lamont Smith. A big game by him would also enable the Vulcans to keep the ball out of the hands of the Chargers’ fine-tuned offense.
Series/Game Notes
This will mark the first-ever meeting between California and Hillsdale…The Vulcans took on GLIAC member Saginaw Valley State in its 2009 and 2010 season openers, splitting the two-game series.
St. Anselm (0-0) at #12/18 Kutztown (0-0)
August 30 - 6:05 p.m.
Kutztown, Pa.
University Field (5,600)
Conference Ranks (2011) St. Anselm Kutztown
Scoring Offense/Defense 20.5/8th; 44.5/8th 37.5/1st; 20.6/6th
Rush Offense/Defense 102.2/9th; 251.3/8th 198.2/4th; 121.9/5th
Pass Offense/Defense 229.2/5th; 291.0/9th 267.1/4th; 253.0/15th
Total Offense/Defense 331.4/8th; 542.3/9th 465.2/2nd; 374.9/12th
What to Expect
- Kutztown has scored at least 35 points in three of its four wins over St. Anselm to open up the last four seasons, so with much of its offensive firepower returning this season, including QB Kevin Morton and RB Josh Mastromatto, and with the Hawks having allowed the most yards in the Northeast 10 last season, it could be another high-scoring affair for the Golden Bear offense.
- St. Anselm lost their starting QB and their leading pass receiver from last season. It’s top returning offensive threat would appear to be junior running back Keith Charles, who accounted for half of the team’s rushing touchdowns last season.
Series/Game Notes
Kutztown leads the series with St. Anselm 4-0, having defeated the Hawks in the last four season openers...Three of the four games have not been close, as both games at Kutztown have been shutout wins for the Golden Bears…Last year’s win in New Hampshire was a 56-30 victory while the win in New Hampshire in 2009 was a close contest, a 17-13 final.
Lake Erie (0-0) at Gannon (0-0)
August 30 - 7:00 p.m.
Erie, Pa.
University Field (2,500)
Conference Ranks (2011) Lake Erie Gannon
Scoring Offense/Defense 26.9/10th; 38.4/13th 19.9/13th; 25.2/T8th
Rush Offense/Defense 186.0/7th; 189.5/11th 85.8/15th; 140.2/8th
Pass Offense/Defense 216.2/8th; 271.5/14th 184.9/9th; 209.3/9th
Total Offense/Defense 402.2/6th; 461.1/13th 270.7/13th; 349.5/7th
What to Expect
- It has the potential to be another close game, as just one game in the series so far has been decided by more than three points.
- The Storm lost four-year starting QB Sean Bedevelsky, who was also the team’s leading rusher. The team is without its top five leading rushers from last season, as well as their top three receivers from 2011.
- By contrast, Gannon returns its starting QB in Daniel Tapscott as well as RB Alex Papson. The Golden Knights were 3-0 in games in which Tapscott scored a rushing TD.
Series/Game Notes
Gannon leads the all-time series 3-1…Lake Erie won its first game in the series last year 13-10 in the season opener after the Golden Knights topped the Storm in the previous three season openers...All four games in the series have decided by a total of 12 points, with the Storm winning by three points last year and Gannon winning its three games by a combined total of just nine points - winning by two, one, and six points, respectively.
Fairmont State (0-0) at Clarion (0-0)
August 30 - 7:00 p.m.
Clarion, Pa.
Memorial Stadium (5,000)
Conference Ranks (2011) Fairmont State Clarion
Scoring Offense/Defense 30.0/4th; 22.1/3rd 22.5/12th; 31.4/13th
Rush Offense/Defense 163.6/3rd; 97.3/2nd 218.0/2nd; 195.8/13th
Pass Offense/Defense 160.8/8th; 227.3/5th 114.6/14th; 216.3/12th
Total Offense/Defense 324.5/7th; 324.5/3rd 332.6/12th; 412.1/14th
What to Expect
- There has been a return for a touchdown in each of the last three games in this series, so a momentum-changing play on defense or special teams could be a difference in the contest. There was at least one interception return in the 2009 and 2010 games while last year featured a 93-yard punt return for Fairmont State.
- Clarion’s strength once again appears to be its running game, with QB Ben Fiscus being one of the top running QBs in the league. However, Fairmont State was exceptionally good against the run last season but not nearly as good against the pass, giving up well over 200 yards per contest. How well Clarion is able to assert its running game against the Falcons will likely play an important part in this contest.
- Fairmont does not have a QB on its roster that has taken a career snap at FSU, however the Falcons return their top rusher and receiver from last year in Daniel Monroe and Chris St. Hilaire.
Series/Game Notes
Clarion leads the series 10-7...This will mark the sixth straight year that the teams have played and the fifth straight season that they have opened up against each other...The teams also met from 1982-91 and 1994-95...FSU has won five of the last six meetings, with Clarion’s last win coming to open the 2009 season at Fairmont...FSU won last year’s meeting 31-17…The Golden Eagles have a 22-10 all-time record vs. WVIAC teams.
Seton Hill (0-0) at Slippery Rock (0-0)
August 30 - 7:00 p.m.
Slippery Rock, Pa.
Mihalik-Thompson Stadium (10,000)
Conference Ranks (2011) Seton Hill Slippery Rock
Scoring Offense/Defense 20.7/7th; 39.5/9th 29.4/5th; 16.5/3rd
Rush Offense/Defense 63.2/8th; 204.8/9th 123.3/10th; 80.0/1st
Pass Offense/Defense 250.8/3rd; 268.1/8th 242.7/6th; 181.2/5th
Total Offense/Defense 314.0/8th; 472.9/9th 366.0/9th; 261.2/1st
What to Expect
- The Rock will breaking in a new starting QB so its strength on offense will likely be running the ball behind veteran RB Akeem Satterfield. Seton Hill ranked at the bottom of the WVIAC last season in most defensive categories, including against the run. The Griffins gave up at least 40 points in five games last year, including 51 to The Rock in the opener.
- Rock’s defense was one of the best in the country last season and although just six starters return, it will be going up against a Seton Hill offense that overall ranked near the bottom of the WVIAC last year in points and total yards but had one of the best passing games in the league. QB Ryan Morris, who saw the majority of time under center for the Griffins, returns. However, there is not a single player on the Griffins that has caught a collegiate pass. The Griffins averaged only 1.8 ypc as a team last season on the ground and with Rock having the most experience on its defense up front, it may be a tough day for Seton Hill on offense.
Series/Game Notes
Slippery Rock leads Seton Hill 2-1 in the all-time series...The teams opened the 2007 and 2008 seasons against one another, with Rock winning on its home field in ‘07 and Seton Hill winning at home in ‘08...After a two-year hiatus, the teams renewed the series last season, with The Rock topping the Griffins 51-14 to start out its PSAC West championship season…This will likely mark the first of several future meetings between the two teams as Seton Hill will be joining the PSAC next season and will likely be an annual PSAC West opponent for The Rock…Rock head coach Dr. George Mihalik is 22-4 in his career against WVIAC teams.
Lock Haven (0-0) at Fordham (0-0)
August 30 - 7:00 p.m.
Bronx, N.Y.
Coffey Field (7,000)
Conference Ranks (2011) Lock Haven Fordham
Scoring Offense/Defense 10.4/15th; 43.7/16th 13.2/7th; 33.5/7th
Rush Offense/Defense 78.9/16th; 212.9/15th 85.5/7th; 254.6/7th
Pass Offense/Defense 149.7/12th; 236.9/14th 229.7/4th; 211.4/3rd
Total Offense/Defense 2286/14th; 449.8/15th 315.3/6th; 466.0/7th
What to Expect
- Lock Haven’s best chance on offense would appear to be attacking the Rams via the run. Although the Bald Eagles as a team averaged under 80 ypg on the ground last season, RB Brandon Brader averaged 94.2 himself and LHU will be going up against a rushing defense that ranked last in the Patriot League in 2011.
- By contrast, Fordham’s offensive strength appears to be its passing game, which ranked around the middle of the Patriot League last season and returns its four leading receivers as well as starting QB Ryan Higgins. However, the Rams’ leading returning rusher ran for just 125 yards all of last season.
Series/Game Notes
This will mark the first-ever meeting between Lock Haven and Fordham…This will mark the third time in the last seven seasons that the Bald Eagles will open their season against a Division I FCS team, and the seventh time in the last 11 seasons that LHU will play a game against a Division I FCS team.
Mercyhurst (0-0) at Notre Dame College (0-0)
August 30 - 7:00 p.m.
Lyndhurst, Ohio
Korb Field
Conference Ranks (2011) Mercyhurst Notre Dame College
Scoring Offense/Defense 28.0/7th; 27.4/11th 23.0; 27.1
Rush Offense/Defense 114.8/11th; 126.8/6th 161.1; 185.6
Pass Offense/Defense 273.7/3rd; 174.4/3rd 177.1; 212.5
Total Offense/Defense 388.5/6th; 301.2/5th 338.2; 398.2
What to Expect
- Notre Dame will have its most experienced team in program history as the Falcons enter their third year as a varsity program. The Lakers may have their hands full on defense as Notre Dame returns starting QB Rob Partridge, who in addition to being the team’s third-leading rusher last year, also had twice as many touchdowns as interceptions. NDC also return its leading rushers in Pedro Powell and Shawn Riley, who combined for 1,200 yards on the ground, as well as its four top receivers from last season. Mercyhurst will counter with a strong rush defense that held five opponents under 100 yards and a strong pass defense that allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the league last year.
- The NDC defense actually took a step back last season, allowing more yards than it had the previous season. The Lakers will look to exploit that by have some younger players step up into more starring roles on its offense, as one of the top playmakers in the PSAC over the last few years in Trevor Kennedy has departed. Paris Bruner is the team’s leading returning receiver while Richie Sanders averaged 4.0 ypc last year as a freshman and he should provide a strong base for the running game.
Series/Game Notes
Mercyhurst leads the all-time series with Notre Dame College 2-0...The Lakers topped the Falcons 23-0 in the 2010 season opener in Ohio, which marked the first varsity game in program history for Notre Dame College…The Lakers then barely escaped with a 24-23 overtime win in last season’s opener, with a missed PAT in overtime by NDC being the difference…Notre Dame is entering its first year as an associate member for football in the GLIAC after competing as an independent the last two years.
West Chester (0-0) at Delaware (0-0)
August 30 – 7:30 p.m.
Newark, Del.
Delaware Stadium (23,000)
Conference Ranks (2011) West Chester Delaware
Scoring Offense/Defense 27.5/9th; 26.0/10th 25.8/5th; 165.5/5th
Rush Offense/Defense 135.9/9th; 179.7/12th 165.5/5th; 147.8/6th
Pass Offense/Defense 236.4/7th; 189.9/6th 179.4/8th; 196.9/4th
Total Offense/Defense 372.3/7th; 369.6/10th 344.9/7th; 344.7/2nd
What to Expect
- Delaware will likely attack West Chester on offense behind RB Andrew Pierce, who ranked third in
rushing attempts and rushing yards per game and fourth in total rushing yardage and rushing touchdowns last year in FCS. The Blue Hens also have an experienced QB in senior Tim Donnelly. The Golden Rams will look to counter that with an improved defense aimed at stopping the run, which was a problem last season. The team’s six leading tacklers from last year return, as do all members of the starting secondary, which ranked in the upper half of the PSAC in pass defense.
- West Chester’s offensive strength over the past few years has been its passing game but the Golden Rams ranked around the middle of the PSAC last season in both rushing and passing. RB Rondell White, WR Tim Keyser and starting QB Sean McCartney, the team’s leading rusher, receiver and passer from last season, all return.
Series/Game Notes
Delaware leads the all-time series with West Chester 46-6-2...The series dates back to 1941 and is one of the most-played in West Chester history...This will be the 11th straight year that these teams have met and the 43rd time in the last 44 years, with 2001 being the only year the series hasn’t been played since 1968…This will mark the final game of the series between the two teams, as it is scheduled to be discontinued after this season.
#25/21 Bloomsburg (0-0) at Stonehill (0-0)
August 31 - 6:00 p.m.
Easton, Mass.
W.B. Mason Stadium (2,400)
Conference Ranks (2011) Bloomsburg Stonehill
Scoring Offense/Defense 34.3/3rd; 20.2/5th 25.4/6th; 25.6/3rd
Rush Offense/Defense 258.9/1st; 155.9/10th 135.3/7th; 183.6/7th
Pass Offense/Defense 149.4/13th; 202.1/8th 219.9/6th; 187.0/1st
Total Offense/Defense 408.3/5th; 358.0/8th 355.2/7th; 370.6/5th
What to Expect
- Bloomsburg will likely do what it has done so successfully on offense over the last several seasons and that is attack the opposition via the run. Behind RBs Franklyn Quiteh and Eddie Mateo, both of whom ran for over 1,000 yards last season, the Huskies will look to attack Stonehill, which struggled in stopping the run last season, ranking near the bottom of the Northeast 10 in rush defense. By contrast, Stonehill stopped the pass better than any other team in that conference, but if Bloomsburg is successful in running the ball like it so often is, passing frequently likely won’t be necessary.
- The Huskies were a bend-but-don’t-break defense last year, ranking around the middle of the league in yards allowed but in the upper half in points allowed. The Skyhawks return their starting QB from last year in Logan Meyer, who threw for 1,500 yards, leading rusher Jermetrius Troy, who ran for nearly 800 yards, and leading receiver John Gomes.
Series/Game Notes
This will mark the first-ever meeting between Bloomsburg and Stonehill.
#19/24 Shepherd (0-0) at Shippensburg (0-0)
September 1 - 1:00 p.m.
Shippensburg, Pa.
Grove Stadium (7,700)
Conference Ranks (2011) Shepherd Shippensburg
Scoring Offense/Defense 43.5/1st; 19.4/1st 37.4/2nd; 25.2/8th
Rush Offense/Defense 212.7/2nd; 62.5/1st 205.9/3rd; 161.6/11th
Pass Offense/Defense 207.0/7th; 192.2/2nd 259.9/5th; 179.6/4th
Total Offense/Defense 419.7/2nd; 254.6/1st 465.8/1st; 341.3/6th
What to Expect
- The Shepherd defense has been among the best in the WVIAC over the last several seasons, including last year when it ranked first in scoring and overall defense. However, Shippensburg put up over 350 yards of offense on the Rams in last year’s meeting and in the two previous meetings, posted 349 and 346 yards of offense, respectively. With most of the key catalysts from last year’s offensive unit, which generated the most yards in the league on average, chances are the Raiders will once again have a good offensive game.
- The main problem for Shippensburg against the Rams in recent years has been its defense, which has yielded 532 and 601 yards, respectively, to the Rams in the last two meetings. Big plays have also been a key to Shepherd’s success against the Raiders, as the Rams have put together five scoring plays of 40 or more yards in the last two meetings. Tommy Addison, who was half of Shepherd’s RB tandem last year, is gone, as is last year’s leading receiver Nik Norrell, but RB Kenny Williams, who ran for over 800 yards while averaging 6.0 ypc is back, as is starting QB Bobby Cooper, who completed over 65 percent of his passes in 2011.
Series/Game Notes
Shippensburg leads the all-time series with Shepherd 28-19...This will be the 22nd straight year that these teams have met - each year since 1991...Shepherd has won the last seven consecutive meetings in the series…Last year, the Rams won by a 53-27 score but three of those wins in the last seven years have come by five points or less...Ship’s last win in the series came in 2004 at home…The game has been known as the Great Valley Classic since 1998.
Southern Connecticut State (0-0) at IUP (0-0)
September 1 - 1:00 p.m.
Indiana, Pa.
Miller Stadium (6,000)
Conference Ranks (2011) SCSU IUP
Scoring Offense/Defense 36.6/3rd; 28.1/7th 27.7/8th; 13.6/1st
Rush Offense/Defense 180.2/3rd; 111.5/2nd 188.0/6th; 106.3/3rd
Pass Offense/Defense 241.1/4th; 245.3/6th 163.5/11th; 191.0/7th
Total Offense/Defense 421.3/4th; 356.8/3rd 351.5/10th; 197.3/4th
What to Expect
- Southern Connecticut lost its three biggest offensive playmakers from last season in RB Rashaad Slowley, who accounted for over 87 percent of the Owls’ rushing yards last season, QB Kevin Lynch, who threw all but 25 passes that the team attempted, and WR/KR Andre Privott. The Owls have 40 newcomers on their roster this season, so the squad is not veteran-laden as last year. The Owls will be sending up some inexperienced players on offense, particularly at the skill positions, up against an IUP defense that returns seven starters from a unit that allowed the fewest points in the conference last year.
- IUP ran the ball 270 more times than it threw the ball last season, and although the Crimson Hawks have welcomed some new faces to the receiving corps, the offensive strength of IUP is undoubtedly its running game behind Harvie Tuck. With a good defense to back it up, expect IUP is run the ball heavily and then along with its defense, limit SCSU’s scoring opportunities.
Series/Game Notes
IUP owns a 6-0 mark all-time against SCSU…The Crimson Hawks topped the Owls 28-21 on the road to open up the 2009 season and then won 16-6 at home in the 2010 season opener...Prior to 2009, the teams had not met since 1989...SCSU holds a 2-5 mark vs. PSAC teams over the last six seasons.
Cheyney (0-0) at Lincoln (Pa.) (0-0)
September 1 - 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln University, Pa.
Lincoln University Stadium
Conference Ranks (2011) Cheyney Lincoln
Scoring Offense/Defense 10.4/16th; 35.9/14th 18.1/11th; 26.0/7th
Rush Offense/Defense 109.5/12th; 144.5/9th 34.3/12th; 151.7/7th
Pass Offense/Defense 104.8/15th; 215.4/11th 243.8/2nd; 146.3/2nd
Total Offense/Defense 214.4/15th; 359.9/9th 278.1/10th; 298.0/5th
What to Expect
- Turnovers were the major difference in last year’s game as Cheyney gained four turnovers off Lincoln while the Lions managed to force just one turnover by the Wolves. That made the difference in a two-point game as Lincoln outgained Cheyney on offense by over 100 yards. With both teams having struggled at time on offense last season, a turnover or two could end up being the difference once again.
- If the Wolves are able to hold onto the ball and not commit turnovers, they may have an advantage over the Lions if they get their running game going behind Marcus Jones. Lincoln’s running game struggled last year, averaging just 1.5 ypc as a team, which had just one runner accumulate over 100 rushing yards for the entire season last year. However, Lincoln’s passing game was solid and it returns QB Doug Cook, who threw 12 TDs and 10 interceptions last year as a freshman, as well as its top four receivers. Keeping the ball out of Lincoln’s hands by controlling the ball behind its running game will likely be a key for the Wolves as well.
Series/Game Notes
Lincoln leads the all-time series 9-2-1...The teams have met to open the year in the last three seasons...Prior to that, the program had not met since 1946...Lincoln reinstated its football program in 2008...The game was played at a neutral site thin 2009 and 2010 but moved back to campus last year at Cheyney…This game will mark the first in Lincoln’s new on-campus stadium…This matchup has been dubbed the “Battle of the Firsts,” as both schools lay claim to being the first historical black college and university (HBCU) in the country.
West Virginia Wesleyan (0-0) at Millersville (0-0)
September 1 - 6:00 p.m.
Millersville, Pa.
Biemesderfer Stadium (6,500)
Conference Ranks (2011) W.V. Wesleyan Millersville
Scoring Offense/Defense 37.5/2nd; 22.5/4th 10.7/14th; 36.2/15th
Rush Offense/Defense 74.7/7th; 129.5/3rd 100.5/14th; 199.3/14th
Pass Offense/Defense 384.3/1st; 190.1/1st 94.4/16th; 209.4/10th
Total Offense/Defense 459.0/1st; 319.6/2nd 194.8/16th; 408.6/13th
What to Expect
- West Virginia Wesleyan put together one of the top offenses in the country last season, which was demonstrated in last year’s season opener against Millersville as the Bobcats put up 55 points. However, the Bobcat offense, which led the country in passing yards last season, will have a new look this season as QB Adam Neugebauer, who threw for over 4,000 yards last season, as well as the team’s two leading receivers, are gone. The team’s leading rusher, who ran for just 488 yards, also has departed. The Marauders, who allowed over 400 yards of total offense in six games last season, return seven starters and hope an improved defense can take advantage of an inexperienced WVW offense.
- The Marauders struggled moving the ball and scoring on offense last season but hope the return of some skill-positions players and an experienced group of other returnees will lead to an improvement this season. They’ll need to start out against what was one of the best defenses in the WVIAC last season. WR Matt Egenrieder and RB Mike Jones, who missed either all or most of last season with injuries, both return and should be important parts to the Millersville offense. QB Ted Stachitas, a transfer from Wake Forest, will assume the starting role under center.
Series/Game Notes
This will mark the second meeting between West Virginia Wesleyan and Millersville, who opened up last season against each other in West Virginia…The Bobcats won that game by a 55-3 score…Prior to last year, Millersville had only ever played one other opponent from the WVIAC, that being Shepherd, who the Marauders are 15-6-1 against .