Football - Week 5
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The second week of crossover games takes place featuring a match up of two teams that are undefeated in conference play. After the first week of crossover games, the East won five of the eight games. West Chester vs. California is likely this week’s top contest. California, which is ranked No. 6 in the country, is coming off a key win in the “Coal Bowl” against IUP, 26-24. West Chester is coming off a strong 41-24 win against Kutztown and hopes to pull off a road upset. Both teams average over 400 yards of total offense. This game will be televised by the Pittsburgh CW.
Another game of significant interest is Kutztown vs. Slippery Rock. Kutztown has started off the year playing against some of the top teams in the PSAC and hopes to snap its three game losing streak. Slippery Rock looks to get back on the attack after losing last week to Mercyhurst. The game is a rematch of last year's PSAC Championship Game in which Kutztown edged The Rock, 21-14. The last time these two teams played in the regular season was in 2009 in which Slippery Rock prevailed, 27-24.
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2012 PSAC Football Athletes of the Week
Week 1 – 9/2
East Co-Offensive: Kevin Morton, QB, Kutztown
East Co-Offensive: Zach Zulli, QB, Shippensburg
East Defensive: Jordan Rigby, LB, Millersville
West Offensive: Liam Nadler, QB, Gannon
West Defensive: Andrew Paronish, S, Clarion
Week 2 - 9/9
East Offensive: Zach Zulli, QB, Shippensburg
East Defensive: John O'Donnell, S, West Chester
West Offensive: Peter Lalich, QB, California
West Defensive: Darnell Harding, DL, California
Week 3 - 9/16
East Co-Offensive: Mike Mattei, QB, West Chester
East Co-Offensive: Zach Zulli, QB, Shippensburg
East Defensive: Antonio Powell-Fields, DB, LIU Post
West Offensive: Harvie Tuck, RB, IUP
West Defensive: Isaiah Coleman, S, Slippery Rock
Week 4 - 9/23
East Offensive: Kyle Fisher, WR, Bloomsburg
East Defensive: Cody Fleming,LB, Shippensburg
West Offensive: Peter Lalich, QB, California
West Defensive: Julian Howsware, LB, Clarion |
AFCA Top 25 Poll
#6 California
#10 Bloomsburg
#21 Shippensburg
#22 IUP
D2football.com Top 25 Poll
#6 California
#12 Bloomsburg
#21 Shippensburg
#23 IUP
PSAC in the Polls
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Pre. |
9-3 |
9-10 |
9-17 |
9-24 |
10-1 |
10-8 |
10-15 |
10-22 |
10-29 |
11-5 |
11-12 |
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Bloomsburg |
25/21 |
19/19 |
12/14 |
11/12 |
10/12 |
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California |
11/11 |
10/10 |
6/6 |
6/6 |
6/6 |
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IUP |
RV/- |
23/24 |
17/22 |
14/21 |
22/23 |
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Kutztown |
12/18 |
11/15 |
21/23 |
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-/- |
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Shippensburg |
-/- |
RV/- |
RV/- |
RV/- |
21/21 |
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Slippery Rock |
RV/- |
RV/- |
-/- |
-/- |
-/- |
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*Ranking order: AFCA/D2football.com
Quick Hits
--The last time these matchups occurred was in 2009. The West won five of the eight games.
--The PSAC still has eight teams averaging over 400 yards of total offense a game. Four of those teams are ranked in the top 15 nationally.
--IUP's is ranked fifth nationally in total defense giving up 229 yds/game.
--West Chester ended a two-year losing streak to Kutztown with the win Saturday 41-24.
--IUP running back
Harvie Tuck is ranked second nationally with 180.25 rushing yards per game.
--Shippensburg is nationally ranked for the first time since 2009.
--Kutztown head coach Raymond Monica is trying to get win number 40. It would be an accomplishment that only two other coaches in program history have done.
--California wide receiver Mike Williams is fourth nationally in receiving yards a game averaging 121.00.
--Shippensburg quarterback Zach Zulli is ranked fourth in Division II for total offense, averaging 380 yards per game.
--West Chester kicker Shawn Leo is now a perfect 20-for-20 on the season in PATs. He takes over fifth place all-time at WCU with 91 PATs. Leo also added a 48 yard field goal tying his career long.
--Lock Haven running back Brandon Brader has 1,400 career rushing yards, which is 10th on the all-time list at Lock Haven. He is just 98 yards from ninth all-time.
Game Previews
Shippensburg (2-0, 4-0) at Lock Haven (0-2, 0-4) Shippensburg Preview / Lock Haven Preview
September 29 – 12:00 p.m.
Lock Haven, Pa.
Hubert Jack Stadium (3,500)
Conference Ranks Shippensburg Lock Haven
Scoring Offense/Defense 54.3 / 1st; 22.5 / 2nd 4.8 / 16th; 40.8 / 12th
Rush Offense/Defense 174.8 / 7th; 97.8 / 3rd 66.3 / 15th; 203.5 / 12th
Pass Offense/Defense 394.0 / 1st; 189.8 / 5th 136.0 / 13th; 245.0 / 8th
Total Offense/Defense 568.8 / 1st; 287.5 / 2nd 202.3 / 16th; 448.5 / 14th
What to Expect
- Shippensburg’s offense continues to impress as they lead the conference in scoring, passing, and total offense. The Red Raiders look to continue this success against Lock Haven’s 14th ranked overall defense.
- Shippensburg has received its first national ranking in three years after coming in at No.21 in this week’s AFCA Division II Coaches’ poll.
- Lock Haven is tied for the all-time Division II record with 46 straight losses and will have a tough matchup this week as they look to end that streak.
- Shippensburg quarterback Zach Zulli ranks fourth in the country in both total offense (380 ypg) and passing efficiency (188.02).
- Shippensburg senior tailback, Mike Frenette is coming off a record-breaking game as he set the school all- purpose-yardage record with 332 yards (190 rushing, 39 receiving, 103 on kick returns).
- Last week Lock Haven scored its first points of the season (19) as tailback Brandon Brader rushed for a pair of touchdowns.
- The Bald Eagles also held their ground for most of their last game against Edinboro. They held the lead for most of the first half and surprised the Fighting Scots with a few trick plays in which they scored.
Series/Game Notes
- Shippensburg has won the last eight meetings with Lock Haven, the most recent time of which was in the last game of the 2010 season. In those eight games, Shippensburg has outscored Lock Haven, 277-78. The Red Raiders also lead the overall series 46-18-3 and has only lost to Lock Haven once in the last 17 years.
Mercyhurst (2-0, 3-1) at Cheyney (0-2, 1-3) Mercyhurst preview / Cheyney preview
September 29 – 1:00 p.m.
Cheyney, Pa.
O’Shields-Stevenson Stadium (5,000)
Conference Ranks Mercyhurst Cheyney
Scoring Offense/Defense 36.3 / 8th; 25.8 / 7th 17.8 / 13th; 44.3 / 13th
Rush Offense/Defense 247.8 / 3rd; 222.8 / 14th 28.8 / 10th; 218.8 / 13th
Pass Offense/Defense 168.5 / 10th; 140.3 / 1st 82.3 / 16th; 265 / 13th
Total Offense/Defense 416.3 / 8th; 363 / 6th 211.0/ 15th; 483.8 / 15th
What to Expect
- Mercyhurst looks to push its win streak to four games this week against Cheyney.
- Cheyney is coming off a loss to East Stroudsburg (59-27) in which they scored the most points of their season.
- Last week Mercyhurst defeated Slippery Rock 38-23 after jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the opening quarter.
- Mercyhurst redshirt freshman, Brown-Dukes, became the second player in school history to have three consecutive 150-yard rushing games. He is averaging 142.2 ypg rushing and leads the team in rushing touchdowns with 6.
- Cheyney quarterback, Wasserleben, leads his team in rushing with 349 yards and passing with 329 yards. He has 4 total touchdowns on the year (3 passing, and 1 rushing)
- Mercyhurst comes into the game with the 3rd best rushing offense in the PSAC with 247.8 ypg and looks to have success against Cheyney’s 13th ranked rush defense in the PSAC (218.8 ydpg)
- Mercyhurst also dominates the passing defense category as it ranks first in the PSAC and will go against a Cheyney team averaging 82.3 ypg (16th PSAC) through the air.
Series/Game Notes
- In the rare cross-over meeting of Mercyhurst vs. Cheyney, Mercyhurst leads the series at 2 wins to Cheyney’s 0. The last meeting between the two teams came in 2009 as Mercyhurst won by a score of 45-15.
IUP (1-1, 3-1) at Millersville (0-2, 1-3) IUP Preview / Millersville Preview
September 29 – 1:00 p.m.
Millersville, Pa.
Biemesderfer Stadium (6,700)
Conference Ranks IUP Millersville
Scoring Offense/Defense 38.8 / 4th; 8.0 / 1st 17.0 / 14th; 44.8 / 14th
Rush Offense/Defense 315 / 2nd; 28.8 / 1st 125.3 / 11th; 264.8 / 16th
Pass Offense/Defense 126.0 / 14th; 200.3 / 6th 123.3 / 15th; 250.8 / 9th
Total Offense/Defense 441.0 / 6th; 229.0 / 1st 248.5 / 14th; 515.5 / 16th
What to Expect
- Both teams are coming off losses as Millersville lost its third straight game last week against Shippensburg 61-6. IUP also lost in a heartbreaker against California (Pa.) by a score of 26-24.
- Millersville is expected to play without starters Ted Stachitas (QB), Myron Myles (RB) and Chase Godfrey (RG) who were all injured against Shippensburg last week.
- Millersville receiver, Mike Jones is the team's most versatile offensive player and deep threat. He leads his team with 16 catches on the season and four touchdowns. He also has two catches of at least 22 yards and has both of the team's touchdown catches.
- Millersville has allowed more sacks than any other team in the PSAC with 19. This will pose as an obstacle against IUP’s PSAC best scoring defense, rush defense, and total defense.
- IUP dropped eight spots to No. 22 in the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Poll after its loss to California (Pa.) last week.
- IUP running back, Harvie Tuck leads his team and the PSAC in rushing yards (721), rushing touchdowns (7), and average per game (180.3).
- Johnny Franco and Carl Fleming lead IUP’s number one ranked total defense with 19 tackles each.
Series/Game Notes
- IUP leads the overall series against Millersville at 11-5 and has won the last three contests.. IUP outscored Millersville 125-6 in these three games and Millersville failed to score a touchdown in those games. The last meeting between the two teams came in 2009 and resulted in an IUP win with a score of 17-3. Of the 7 games played at Millersville’s Biemesderfer Stadium, the Maruaders have gone 3-4.
Edinboro (1-1, 1-2) at LIU Post (1-1, 2-1) Edinboro Preview / LIU Post Preview
September 29 – 1:00 p.m.
Brookville, N.Y.
Hickox Field (5,000)
Conference Ranks Edinboro LIU Post
Scoring Offense/Defense 21.0 / 11th; 24.3 / 4th 38.7 / 5th; 25.3 / 5th
Rush Offense/Defense 96.3 / 14th; 195.3 / 11th 208.7 / 4th; 262.7 / 15th
Pass Offense/Defense 253.0 / 7th; 202.3 / 7th 181.3 / 9th; 180.0 / 4th
Total Offense/Defense 349.3 / 11th; 397.7 / 10th 390.0 / 9th; 442.7 / 13th
What to Expect
- Edinboro opened the season with close back-to-back losses to nationally-ranked teams, Bloomsburg and California (Pa.).
- LIU Post opened its year with wins over Clarion (46-26) and Cheyney (45-10) before falling to 11th-ranked Bloomsburg last week.
- Edinboro’s quarterback, Cody Harris, leads his team in rushing yards (122), passing yards (759), and touchdowns (7).
- Edinboro free safety, Kenny Pettis, leads his team and the PSAC in total tackles with 43.
- LIU Post quarterback, Steve Laurino, leads his team in rushing touchdowns (5), passing touchdowns (7), and total touchdowns (12).
- It can be expected that LIU Post will look to run against Edinboro. LIU Post averages 208.7 rushing yards per game which is ranked 4th in the PSAC and Edinboro is averaging 195.3 rushing yards allowed per game.
Series/Game Notes
- Edinboro has won the last two meetings with the Pioneers in a series that is tied at 2-2. Edinboro has won both meetings since LIU Post joined the PSAC, including a 31-7 result at Hickox Stadium in 2008 and a 31-23 victory at Sox Harrison Stadium the next year.
Gannon (0-2, 1-3) at Bloomsburg (2-0, 4-0) Gannon Preview / Bloomsburg Preview
September 29 – 1:30 p.m.
Bloomsburg, Pa.
Redman Stadium (4,775)
Conference Ranks Gannon Bloomsburg
Scoring Offense/Defense 19.0 / 12th; 26.3 / 8th 40.0 / 3rd; 26.5 / 9th
Rush Offense/Defense 41.0 / 16th; 163.3 / 10th 324.0 / 1st; 102.5 / 5th
Pass Offense/Defense 273.0 / 5th; 152.8 / 3rd 193.5 / 8th; 275.3 / 15th
Total Offense/Defense 314.0 / 13th; 316.0 / 4th 517.5 / 2nd; 377.8 / 7th
What to Expect
- Bloomsburg comes into this week’s matchup with an undefeated record as they won their first four games. Last week, Bloomsburg defeated LIU Post 42-27 after coming off a fourth quarter deficit of 24-21.
-Bloomsburg has scored more than 30 points in every game this season and is ranked third in the PSAC averaging 40 per game.
-Bloomsburg receiver, Kyle Fisher, had the best scoring performance of his career last week helping him earn PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week. He recorded a career-high 196 receiving yards and three trips to the endzone last week. This was the first time a receiver had three touchdowns in a game for Bloomsburg since 2003.
- A player to watch in this matchup is Bloomsburg running back, Franklyn Quiteh, the nation's fifth-leading rusher. He is averaging 156.3 yards this season and can become the programs' third 4,000-yard rusher with 168 on Saturday.
- On the defensive side of the ball for Bloomsburg, Jarrett Pidgeon leads his team with 33 tackles which is 12th in the conference.
- Last week, Gannon was unable to overcome Clarion and lost 13-7. Gannon has now dropped three straight games since winning the first game of the season.
- The Golden Knight’s have been driven by their offensive passing attack. Quarterback Liam Nadler is one of three PSAC quarterbacks to throw for 1,000 yards this season. Going against Bloomsburg’s 15th ranked pass defense in the PSAC could spell out continued success for the Gannon passing game.
- The wide receiver duo of Ocasio and Caliste have also contributed to Gannon’s passing success. They each have at least 300 yards receiving and contribute for five of the seven receiving touchdowns.
- Defensively for Gannon, Khayree Connors has a team-high 34 tackles to go along with a pair of forced fumbles and Will Giles has two interceptions with 5.5 tackles for a loss.
Series/Game Notes
- This marks the third meeting between Bloomsburg and Gannon. They split the games in 2008 and 2009 with Gannon winning in 2009. The Golden Knights kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime in the 2009 season-finale to top the Huskies, 10-7. It was the last time Bloomsburg did not score at least 14 points in a game.
West Chester (2-0, 3-1) at California (2-0, 4-0) West Chester Preview / California Preview
September 29 – 3:30 p.m.
California, Pa
Adamson Stadium (6,500)
Conference Ranks West Chester California
Scoring Offense/Defense 35.8 / 9th; 24.0 / 3rd 31.5 / 10th; 25.8 / 6th
Rush Offense/Defense 170.5 / 8th; 100.5 / 4th 123.8 / 12th; 128.8 / 6th
Pass Offense/Defense 267.5 / 6th; 260.8 / 11th 358.3 / 3rd; 260.0 / 10th
Total Offense/Defense 438.0 / 7th; 361.3 / 5th 482.0 / 4th; 388.8 / 8th
What to Expect
- West Chester comes into the game with a 45-24 victory over Kutztown last week while California continued its winning ways with a victory over IUP 26-24. The Golden Rams start of 3-1 is their best since 2007 when they opened 8-1.
- West Chester quarterback, Mike Mattei, looks to throw for over 300 yards for the third straight week. He is also one touchdown shy of his single-season record of 12 which came in 2010. …
- West Chester kicker, Shawn Leo, is now a perfect 20-for-20 on the season in PATs and now takes over fifth place all-time at WCU with 91 PATs. Leo also recorded a 48-yard field goal last week which ties his career best.
- West Chester running back Rondell White had a breakout game last week as he scored three touchdowns, a career high. This was his first three scores of the season.
- Defensively for West Chester, linebacker Ronell Williams leads the team in tackles with 40 and has been responsible for two interceptions and a forced fumble.
- For California, it has been quarterback Peter Lalich who has been leading the team. Lalich was amed athlete of the week again this week -the third time this season he has received the award. He has 1433 passing yards which is second in the conference and 11 passing touchdowns which is third.
- California’s Mike Williams leads his team in the receiving category with 484 yards and four touchdowns. He looks to continue this success against West Chester’s 11th ranked pass defense in the PSAC.
- On defense for California, Rontez Miles leads the team with 34 tackles as a defensive back.
Series/Game Notes
The last meeting between West Chester and California was in 2009 in which California won 30-23.
Kutztown (0-2, 1-3) at Slippery Rock (1-1, 2-2) Kutztown preview/ Slippery Rock Preview
September 29 – 6:00 p.m.
Slippery Rock, Pa.
Mihalik-Thompson Stadium (10,000)
Conference Ranks Kutztown Slippery Rock
Scoring Offense/Defense 41.0 / 2nd; 35.3 / 11th 37.0 / 6th; 29.3 / 10th
Rush Offense/Defense 117.8 / 13th; 153.0 / 9th 184.8 / 6th; 129.5 / 7th
Pass Offense/Defense 368.0 / 2nd; 264.8 / 12th 168.3 / 11th; 267.0 / 14th
Total Offense/Defense 485.8 / 3rd; 417.8 / 12th 353.0 / 10th; 396.5 / 9th
What to Expect
- The Rock and Golden Bears both enter this week's game following losses. Slippery Rock lost a 38-23 decision at Mercyhurst, while Kutztown lost its third straight game 45-24 loss against West Chester.
- Slippery Rock’s offense is led by sophomore quarterback Jared Buck, who has passed for 556 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 132 yards and four TDs.
- His favorite receiver is junior wideout John Schademan, who has caught 10 passes for 171 yards and three TDs. However, Schademan did not play last Saturday at Mercyhurst due to injury.
- Defensively, The Rock is led by junior linebackers Gary Allen and Quindell Dean, the team's top two tacklers with 36 and 32 tackles, respectively. Dean also has a team-best 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
- Also noteworthy is Slippery Rock’s kicker Kurt Brackman has been successful on his last 44 extra-point attempts.
- Kutztown's offense is expected to be led by freshman quarterback Josh Luckenbaugh, starting in place of the injured Kevin Morton. Luckenbaugh has passed for 522 yards and three TDs thus far and is coming off a 306-yard, one-TD performance last Saturday vs. West Chester.
- Kutztown will be looking to senior wideout, Colby Tuell, who has 26 catches for 315 yards and four TDs, to assist the freshman quarterback.
- It is expected that Kutztown will also look to the running game, which averages 117.8 yards per game. The backfield features junior running back Curtis Wortham, who has rushed for 325 yards and three TDs this fall. A strong performance from Wortham would help the freshman quarterback but might be hard to do against a strong rush defense of Slippery Rock.
- Defensively, the Golden Bears are led by sophomore linebacker Sam Dixon-Dugan (27 tackles) and sophomore defensive end Zach Greenwald (25 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2 QBS), who are the top two tacklers on the team.
Series/Game Notes
This game features the rematch of last fall's PSAC Championship Game, which Kutztown won by a 21-14 score. Last year's loss in the PSAC title game was SRU's first in nine meetings with the Golden Bears. Both teams are looking for a big win to jumpstart their season if they hope to get back to the Championship game this year.
East Stroudsburg (1-1, 2-1) at Clarion (1-1, 2-2) East Stroudsburg Preview / Clarion Preview
September 29 – 6:00 p.m.
Clarion, Pa.
Memorial Stadium (5,000)
Conference Ranks East Stroudsburg Clarion
Scoring Offense/Defense 36.3 / 7th; 30.0 / 11th 14.5 / 15th; 18.7 / 2nd
Rush Offense/Defense 163.3 / 9th; 87.7 / 2nd 186.0 / 5th; 147.8 / 8th
Pass Offense/Defense 282.7 / 4th; 315.7 / 16th 160.0 / 12th; 152.0 / 2nd
Total Offense/Defense 446.0 / 5th; 403.3 / 11th 346.0 / 12th; 299.8 / 2nd
What to Expect
- This matchup of East Stroudsburg vs. Clarion features one of the conference’s best defenses in Clarion against the 5th ranked East Stroudsburg in total offense.
- East Stroudsburg tailbacks Eric Deery and Kendrick Williams are coming off a record breaking game last week as they combined for 318 yards rushing. They were the first tandem to go over 150 yards in the same game for the Warriors and their 318 combined yards were third-most in school history.
- Last week, East Stroudsburg Head Coach, Douds, became the first coach in NCAA Division II history, and the15th in college football history, to coach 400 games.
- East Stroudsburg’s young squad, includes 67 freshmen or sophomores among its 85 players.
- East Stroudsburg has gone with a two quarterback system but it is Daniels who sees a slight majority of the action. He is 30-for-54 for 563 yards, 6 TD and has also thrown 3 INTs.
- For Clarion, it is junior signal caller Ben Fiscus who will be leading the offense. Fiscus has rushed for 283 yards and 2 TDs while completing 53 of 105 passes for 640 yards and 6 TDs. Since being named starter in 2010, Fiscus has rushed for 1,602 yards (12th at Clarion).
- Ready to catch passes from Fiscus will be junior Jon Reid, Anthony Becoate, Mark Nicholas, Nick Perry, and Aaron Barlow. Reid leads the team with 18 catches for 311 yards and 2 td's,
Series/Game Notes
- East Stroudsburg holds the winning record against Clarion with an 8-3 overall mark. The first two meetings against the two teams were in the PSAC championship game, and resulted in ESU winning 49-4 in 1978 and Clarion winning 27-14 in 1983. The East Stroudsburg Warriors are 5-1 all-time at Clarion's Memorial Stadium.