Football - Week 5
Week 5 Football Notes (pdf)
For the second straight week in the PSAC, only one game features at least two teams that are .500 or better matching up against one another. However, that does not mean that this week's matchups are any less intriguing and of interest to many.
Kutztown (4-0) will travel to Shippensburg (2-2) in the only matchup of two .500 or better teams in the league this week. This game has the potential to be a shootout, as the teams rank first and third, respectively, in scoring offense. Another game with high offensive output potential kicks off at the same time as Kutztown-Shippensburg out on Long Island as West Chester (2-2) travels to meet C.W. Post (1-3). The Golden Rams will be looking for their third straight win after starting the season with two straight close losses and are coming off their best offensive performance of the year that saw them score 37 and get nearly 600 yards of total offense. C.W. Post doubled up its season point total in just one game last week, scoring 40 on Shippensburg after combining for just 27 points in its first three contests.
Over in the PSAC West, Gannon (1-3) travels to Mercyhurst (3-1) in a battle for Erie supremacy. The Lakers won the PSAC West and overall championship last year but its only PSAC West loss came to Gannon, which topped the Lakers for the first time in its last five tries. Mercyhurst will be looking to return to the W column in this crosstown rivalry. Elsewhere in the PSAC West, Edinboro (4-0) will put its perfect record on the line when it travels to IUP, where it will be looking to avoid a repeat of last year, when the Fighting Scots shut out Gannon in Week 4, only to be shut out by the Crimson Hawks in Week 5, which was the beginning of a three-game losing streak and a 3-4 finish to the season after a 4-0 start. Just like last year, Edinboro is once again off to a 4-0 start and once again shut out the Golden Knights last week. IUP, meanwhile, is looking for its first West win after falling to Slippery Rock last week. Also of note, Clarion travels to Slippery Rock for the second installment of the Milk Jug game. The two schools added a trophy to the series last season (see picture below) and now play for a Milk Jug each year.
PSAC Football - Week Five Notes - 9/28/11
Quick Hits
- For the fifth straight week, the PSAC is tied for the most ranked teams of any conference in the AFCA Top 25 poll. Bloomsburg, California and Kutztown are each ranked for the fifth straigth week while Edinboro is in the Top 25 for the second straight week. The MIAA also has four teams ranked in the AFCA poll. Mercyhurst is the top team in the ‘others receiving votes’ category.
- For the third time in five weeks, the PSAC is also tied for the most ranked teams of any conference in the D2football.com poll. Edinboro entered the poll for the first time this week, joining Bloomsburg, California and Kutztown. The MIAA also has four teams ranked in that poll.
- Only 16 receivers in Division II are currently averaging over 100 receiving yards per game, and three of them are from the PSAC, the most of any league in the country. California’s Thomas Mayo (156.25), Mercyhurst’s Trevor Kennedy (134.5) and East Stroudsburg’s Dusty Reed (108.25) are all ranked in the top 10 in the country in receiving ypg. Mayo, Kennedy and Reed are also ranked first, second, and tied for sixth, respectively, in the country in total receiving yards.
- If Mayo, Kennedy and Reed were all to maintain their current averages for the remainder of the season, it would mark the first time in the PSAC since 1999 that three receivers finish the year averaging at least 100 receiving ypg. Since 1999, no more than two receivers have finished the same season averaging 100 ypg of receiving. In 1999, Millersville’s Sean Scott, Bloomsburg’s Matt Wilson, Shippensburg’s Jamie Ware and West Chester’s Kevin Ingram all finished with over 100 receiving ypg.
- Mayo and Kennedy are responsible for two of the only six 200-yard receiving performances in Division II this year, both of which occurred on September 17. The PSAC is the only conference to have two individual 200-yard receiving performances this season.
- Kutztown is one of only three teams in the country in Division II that is yet to attempt a field goal on the season. The reason for that is mainly due to the prolific nature of its offense, which ranks among the best in Division II. However, the Golden Bears are a perfect 27-for-27 on PATs. Of the other two teams in D-II that haven’t attempted a FG, Lincoln (Mo.) is also perfect on PATs (4-for-4) while New Mexico Highlands is 14-of-17.
- Last week, Gannon was shut out by Edinboro, 27-0, which came just one week after the Golden Knights recorded a shutout of their own by blanking Millersville 47-0. This marks the fourth straight year in the PSAC that a team has been on opposite ends of shutouts in back-to-back weeks. Last year, Edinboro also shut out Gannon in the same week of the season and then was blanked by IUP, who the Scots take on this week, the following week. In 2009, West Chester shut out Lock Haven in Week 1 and then was shut out by Delaware in Week 2, while in in 2008, Mercyhurst blanked Cheyney in Week 2 and then was shut out by Bloomsburg.
- Shippensburg scored over 50 points in its 54-24 win over Clarion in Week 3. That marked the third straight week that at least one PSAC team scored at least 50 points as Slippery Rock did so in each of its first two games andEast Stroudsburg and Kutztown each did it once on its first three contests. This has marked the fourth time in the last five years that at least one PSAC team has scored 50 points in three consecutive weeks. It is also the first time since 2007 that at least one PSAC team has scored 50 in each of the first three weeks of a season. While Kutztown came close last week with 49 points, the streak was broken as no PSAC team scored 50 in Week 4.
- Both W est Chester RB Rondell White (203) and Bloomsburg RB Eddie Mateo (201) rushed for 200 yards last week. It marked the second straight year that there have been 200-yard rushing performances in the PSAC in the same week of the season. Last year, two of the eight 200-yard rushing performances came in the final week of the regular season by Slippery Rock’s Akeem Satterfield (271) and Clarion’s Alfonso Hoggard (211).
- Mateo rushed for five touchdowns in the Huskies’ win over Clarion in Week 2. That marked the 22nd five-rushing touchdown performance in PSAC history.
- In doing so, Mateo also made it the first time in PSAC history that at least one back has rushed for five touchdowns in a game and at least two quarterbacks have thrown for six touchdowns in a game in a single season after both Kutztown’s Kevin Morton and East Stroudsburg’s Ray Wagner did so in Week 1.
- Both Kutztown and East Stroudsburg scored 56 points in Week 1. That marked the first time since 1996 that two PSAC teams put up at least 55 points in the first week of the season. That year, both West Chester (62) and East Stroudsburg (56) scored at least 55 in the opening week.
Dual 200-Yard Games Rare
Both Trevor Kennedy of Mercyhurst and Thomas Mayo of California posted 200-yard receiving games in Week 3 on September 17. Kennedy caught for 206 yards vs. C.W. Post while Mayo amassed 201 yards vs. East Stroudsburg. That marked the first time since 1998 that two PSAC receivers had 200-yard games in the same week of the season. In 1998, West Chester’s Kevin Ingram caught for 401 yards while Clarion’s Alvin Slaughter grabbed 211 yards worth of catches. Amazingly, those two performances came in the same game between West Chester and Clarion. Ingram’s mark of 401 receiving yards is the PSAC single-game record and is one of only two single-game receiving performances in PSAC history of over 300 yards. Furthermore, Kennedy’s and Mayo’s performances marked the second straight year that at least two PSAC receivers posted 200-yard receiving games in the same season. Both Jamal Smith of Millersville and Joe Botti of C.W. Post caught for 200 yards in a game last season. Prior to last year, the PSAC’s last 200-yard receiving performance in a game was back in 2007.
Edinboro Defense Slows Down Potent West Liberty Attack
Edinboro defeated West Liberty 30-14 to open the season, which marked the fourth straight season-opening win for the Fighting Scots over the Hilltoppers. Edinboro has been the one team that West Liberty, which has had the highest-scoring offense in the country for the last two seasons, has been unable to figure out. Since the beginning of the 2008 season, when the teams began their current series, West Liberty has averaged 40.4 point per game in all contests and 43.3 points per contest in games not against Edinboro. In its four regular season games against Edinboro, the Hilltoppers have been held to just 18.3 points per game. Although the Hilltoppers exploded for 84 points in their 84-63 win over ‘Boro in the NCAA playoffs in 2009, West Liberty is just 1-5 against PSAC teams since the beginning of the 2008 season, including 1-4 against Edinboro. The Hilltoppers are 25-10 against all other teams following their first game this season.
Rock Offense Opens Strong
Slippery Rock scored at least 50 points in each of its first two games this season, hanging 51 on Seton Hill in Week 1 in a 51-14 win and then putting up 54 in a 54-0 win over Cheyney in Week 2. That marked the first time since 1996 that a PSAC team has scored at least 50 points in each of its first two games of the season. East Stroudsburg was the last team to accomplish the feat, scoring 56 in its season-opening 59-56 loss to New Haven and then putting up 54 in a 54-28 win over Southern Connecticut.
Rare 200-Club Meeting Takes Place for Third Straight Season
For the second straight year, a matchup of two 200-win coaches took place in the PSAC last week when California and John Luckhardt (217 career wins) topped East Stroudsburg and Denny Douds (230 career wins), 22-19. It is believed that only three suchs meetings have taken place between a pair of 200-win coaches at the Division II level and Luckhardt has been involved in all three in each of the last three seasons. There was last year’s meeting as well with East Stroudsburg as the 2009 NCAA playoff semifinal game between California and Northwest Missouri State that matched up Luckhardt with former NMSU coach Mel Tjeerdsma.
Morton and Wagner Contribute to PSAC Rarity
Both Ray Wagner of East Stroudsburg and Kevin Morton of Kutztown threw for six touchdowns in Week 1, which marked only the second time in PSAC history that more than one QB has thrown for six TDs in a game in the same season. The only other time is happened was 1999, when Millersville’s Drew Folmar (who coincidentally is now the Kutztown offensive coordinator) and West Chester’s Mike Mitros both accomplished the feat. Even more ironic, Folmar accomplished the feat against East Stroudsburg while Mitros did it against Kutztown. However, both Folmar and Mitros did so in different weeks of the season, making Morton’s and Wagner’s accomplishment the first time in PSAC history that two different QBs have thrown for six TDs in the same week of a season.
National Leaders
Several PSAC teams and individuals are currently leading the country in various statistical categories. Those teams and individuals are listed below.
- California’s Thomas Mayo leads the country in receiving yards per game at 156.25. His 625 total receiving yards is also the most in the country, as only two other receivers even have as many as 500. One of those is Mercyhurst’s Trevor Kennedy, last week’s national leader in receiving ypg who this week is third at 134.5 and had the second-most total yard with 538.
- On the strength of his 299 all-purpose yards last week against East Stroudsburg, West Chester’s Rondell White now leads the country in all-purpose yards per game at 200.25 and with 801 total all-purpose yards, he is one of only two players in the country with over 800 all-purpose yards.
- For the third straight week, Kutztown QB Kevin Morton is tied for the national lead in points responsible for with 30 points per game and 120 points overall by account of his 17 touchdown passes and three rushing TDs.
- Slippery Rock’s Brandon Watters is now the national leader in passes defended per game at 2.5 and overall with 10, taking the top spot over from Edinboro’s James Jackson, who co-held it for the last three weeks. Jackson is now one of three individuals in second place with 2.25 passes defended per game and nine overall.
- Edinboro is now one of just five teams nationally that is yet to lose a fumble.
- Mercyhurst is allowing itself to be tackled for loss just three times per game, tied for the fewest in the country.
- Bloomsburg (2-for-2) is one of just four teams that is perfect on fourth-down conversions this year.
- Slippery Rock has the top pass efficiency defense in the country, allowing opposing passers a rating of just 68.2. The Rock has also allowed just 33 completed passes (in 95 attempts) for a percentage of 34.74, both of which are also the fewest and lowest in the country.
- Mercyhurst is one of just seven teams that is yet to allow an opponent to convert on fourth down this year.
- Edinboro co-leads the country with two other teams in average turnover margin per game, as the Fighting Scots have a turnover margin of +9 for an average of 2.25 turnovers gained per contest.
Single Game HIghs
PSAC individuals and teams are responsible for three single-game highs in NCAA Division II so far this season. Those individuals are listed below.
- East Stroudsburg QB Ray Wagner has the highest single-game pass efficiency rating this season with a 321.5 rating vs. Pace on September 1.
- West Chester’s Rondell White is tied for the best single-game all-purpose yardage performance with his 299 all-purpose yards against East Stroudsburg on September 24.
- East Stroudsburg’s 97-yard touchdown pass from Ray Wagner to Robert Bleiler vs. Pace on September 3 is the longest passing play in the country this year.
PSAC in Non-Conference Action
The PSAC went 8-8 in non-conference play this season, including 8-7 vs. Division II opponents. Among the conferences that this year’s non-conference opponents came from include the Northeast 10, WVIAC, CIAA, GLIAC and one independent. Listed below is the conference breakdown of each of this year’s non-conference opponents, followed by the PSAC’s record the last three years in non-conference action, since the current setup of the PSAC went into effect.
Northeast 10: 3-2 (Wins - East Stroudsburg over Pace, Edinboro over Merrimack, Kutztown vs St. Anselm; Losses - New Haven over West Chester, American International over C.W. Post)
WVIAC: 2-3: (Wins - Edinboro over West Liberty, Slippery Rock over Seton Hill; Losses - Fairmont State over Clarion, Shepherd over Shippensburg, West Virginia Wesleyan over Millersville)
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 (CAA): 0-1 (Loss -Delaware 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)
Game Previews
Gannon (1-3, 0-1) at Mercyhurst (3-1, 1-0)
Oct. 1 - 1:00 p.m.
Erie, Pa.
Tullio Field (2,300)
TV: b2livetv.com
Radio/Internet: wergfm.com/Jet Radio 1400 AM
Conference Ranks Gannon Mercyhurst
Scoring Offense/Defense 17.5/10th; 20.2/8th 32.0/6th; 17.0/5th
Rush Offense/Defense 101.0/14th; 142.8/9th 140.8/10th; 108.5/4th
Pass Offense/Defense 159.2/11th; 179.5/7th 305.2/2nd; 159.2/4th
Total Offense/Defense 260.2/14th; 322.2/6th 446.0/3rd; 267.8/3rd
What to Expect
- Gannon’s offense has had its ups and downs so far this season, scoring 47 in a shutout win two weeks ago and being shutout last week. A big problem for the Golden Knight has been turnovers, as Gannon had committed the most turnovers in the PSAC with 15 and also has the worst turnover margin at -6.
- Mercyhurst’s offensive strength is the pass, as QB Travis Rearick and WR Trevor Kennedy are second in the PSAC in passing and receiving yards, respecitvely.
- Both teams have an edge in different special teams departments. Mercyhurst has the top kickoff return unit in the PSAC at 31.3 ypr, averaging over eight yards more than Gannon on kick returns. Gannon has the top punt return unit at 19.7 ypr behind Justin Caliste, which is nearly 10 yards more than Mercyhurst’s.
Series/Game Notes
Mercyhurst leads Gannon 9-4-1 in the all-time series...Gannon broke a four-game losing streak to the Lakers with last year’s 14-10 win at home, which was the Knights’ first win over Mercyhurst as a member of the PSAC...This will be the eighth straight season that the schools will meet, as both were members of the GLIAC before moving to the PSAC...Mercyhurst is receiving votes in this week’s AFCA Top 25 poll.
#12/13 Kutztown (4-0, 1-0) at Shippensburg (2-2, 0-1)
Oct. 1 - 1:00 p.m.
Shippensburg, Pa.
Grove Stadium (7,700)
Radio/Internet: KUBears.com/WSYC 88.7 FM/wsyc.org
Conference Ranks Kutztown Shippensburg
Scoring Offense/Defense 47.2/1st; 16.0/4th 36.0/3rd; 32.5/12th
Rush Offense/Defense 242.0/2nd; 120.0/6th 155.5/8th; 194.5/13th
Pass Offense/Defense 304.0/3rd; 229.2/11th 275.8/5th; 229.2/10th
Total Offense/Defense 546.0/1st; 349.2/9th 431.2/5th; 423.8/14th
What to Expect
- Based on both teams’ offensive and defensive statistics, this game could be a shootout. Kutztown is third in the nation in total offense and gave up an average of 29 points in its first two games before holding Lock Haven and Cheyney to an average of three the last two weeks. Shippensburg has scored the third-most points in the PSAC while giving up the third-most yards. The Raiders also gave up 40 points to C.W. Post last week, which entered averaging just 9.0 ppg.
- Further illustrating the potent offenses in this game - Kutztown is first in the PSAC with 111 first downs while Shippensburg is tied for second with 95. QBs Kevin Morton of Kutztown and Zach Zulli of Shippensburg are also two of the five QBs in the PSAC to have thrown for over 1,000 yards in the first four games.
- One edge Kutztown could have is its opportunistic defense, which has 10 interceptions this year, the most in the PSAC. The Golden Bears will need to protect QB Kevin Morton if they are to put up their average yards as Shippensburg is tied for the league lead in sack, making 14 or a league-high of 106 yards lost.
Series/Game Notes
Shippensburg leads Kutztown 44-17-2 in the all-time series...Kutztown won last year’s game 33-24 and has won three of the last four meetings with the Red Raiders...This will be the 28th straight year that these two teams have met on the football field despite being in opposite divisions in the PSAC up until 2008.
Millersville (1-3, 0-1) at Cheyney (1-3, 0-1)
Oct. 1 - 1:00 p.m.
Cheyney, Pa.
O’Shields-Stevenson Stadium (5,000)
Radio/Internet: MSBN/Millersvilleathletics.com/RedZoneMedia.com
Conference Ranks Millersville Cheyney
Scoring Offense/Defense 7.8/16th; 42.0/15th 8.5/15th; 40.8/14th
Rush Offense/Defense 92.0/15th; 172.0/12th 115.5/13th; 135.8/8th
Pass Offense/Defense 77.2/15th; 241.2/12th 51.2/16th; 277.5/16th
Total Offense/Defense 169.2/15th; 413.2/T12th 166.8/16th; 413.2/T12th
What to Expect
- Based on the numbers, this game has the potential to be a low-scoring affair - based on the teams’ offenses - or a shootout - based on the teams’ defenses. Both teams have struggled moving the ball and scoring on offense and both have also struggled stopping opponents on defense, as they are both generating and giving up almost an identical amount of yards per game.
- The one area where one team may have a slight advantage is Cheyney in the running game behind Marcus Jones. Both he and Millersville RB Mike Jones are averaging nearly identical yards per game but Marcus Jones averages nearly a yard more per carry than Mike Jones.
- Millersville averages nearly 40 fewer penalty ypg than Cheyney while the Wolves average five more net yards per punt than the Marauders.
Series/Game Notes
Millersville leads Cheyney 54-5-1 in the all-time series...Cheyney won last year’s game 20-17, which not only broke a 26-game losing streak to the Marauders that had dated back to 1984, but also broke what was at the time, the nation’s longest losing streak at any NCAA level at 32 games...Millersville last won over Cheyney in 2009, 47-36...Prior to last year, the Wolves’ last win in the series came in 1983.
West Chester (2-2, 1-0) at C.W. Post (1-3, 1-0)
Oct. 1 - 1:00 p.m.
Brookville, N.Y.
Hickox Field (5,000)
Radio/Internet: Brandywineradio.com/WCWP 88.1 FM/wcwpsports.com
Conference Ranks West Chester C.W. Post
Scoring Offense/Defense 26.5/T8th; 25.5/10th 16.8/11th; 27.5/11th
Rush Offense/Defense 136.2/11th; 108.8/5th 163.5/7th; 130.2/7th
Pass Offense/Defense 266.5/6th; 223.2/9th 121.8/14th; 275.8/15th
Total Offense/Defense 402.8/7th; 332.0/8th 285.2/12th; 406.0/11th
What to Expect
- Both of these teams appeared to put everything together last week, especially offensively, after struggling at the beginning of the season. The Pioneers doubled their season point total in one game while the Golden Rams may have found a top running back in Rondell White, who ran for over 200 yards.
- Both teams’ defenses have been suspect at times so far but one big area that Post has an advantage on is opponents’ third down conversions. Post is allowing opponent to convert on just 28.3 percent of third downs, which is second in the PSAC, while West Chester’s opponents have converted on 41.1 percent.
- The Golden Rams have the advantage in the kicking department, which could come into play in a close game. The Golden Rams have made the most field goals in the league with 10 (on 12 attempts), while the Pioneers have kicked just two field goals (on nine attempts).
Series/Game Notes
West Chester and C.W. Post are tied 3-3 in the all-time series...The Pioneers won last year 39-37 in overtime to mark their first win over the Golden Rams as members of the PSAC...The teams met in the NCAA playoffs in both 2004 and 2005 when Post was a member of the Northeast 10, with the Rams winning in ‘04 and the Pioneers in ‘05...The road team has now won in each of the last two years after the home team won in each of the teams’ first four meetings.
#5/6 Bloomsburg (4-0, 1-0) at East Stroudsburg (1-3, 0-1)
Oct. 1 - 1:05 p.m.
East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Eiler-Martin Stadium (6,000)
TV: Blue Ridge TV-13
Radio/Internet: WHLM 930 AM/whlm.com/WVPO 840 AM/RedZoneMedia.com
Conference Ranks Bloomsburg East Stroudsburg
Scoring Offense/Defense 34.5/T4th; 13.2/3rd 28.5/7th; 25.2/9th
Rush Offense/Defense 261.8/1st; 164.0/11th 117.0/12th; 196.5/14th
Pass Offense/Defense 150.8/13th; 132.0/2nd 331.5/1st; 265.8/14th
Total Offense/Defense 412.5/6th; 296.0/4th 448.5/2nd; 462.2/15th
What to Expect
- If nothing else, this should be a pretty clean game as Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg are the two least penalized teams in the league in terms of fewest penalty yards per game.
- This game should be a contrast in offensive styles as Bloomsburg is a running team while East Stroudsburg is a passing team. The Huskies appear to match up well with the Warriors on defense as Bloomsburg has allowed the second-fewest passing yards in the league on average. East Stroudsburg, however, has given up the third-most rushing yards in the conference.
- Although Bloomsburg has the PSAC’s top rushing game and the seventh-best in Division II, the Huskies are only 12th in the PSAC in average time of possession at just under 29:00 per game. That is still more than ESU, which is last in the league in that category at 25:37 per game.
Series/Game Notes
East Stroudsburg leads Bloomsburg 43-37-2 in the all-time series...However, Bloomsburg has won the last five meetings and the last six straight regular season meetings, including last year’s 26-13 win at home...The Warriors’ last win over the Huskies came in the NCAA playoffs in 2005, while ESU’s last regular season win over Bloomsburg came in 2004.
#18/23 Edinboro (4-0, 1-0) at IUP (1-2, 0-1)
Oct. 1 - 2:00 p.m.
Indiana, Pa.
Miller Stadium (6,000)
TV: Pennatlantic.com
Radio/Internet: GoFightingScots.com /WFSE 88.9 FM/ RedZoneMedia.com/U 92.5 FM
Conference Ranks Edinboro IUP
Scoring Offense/Defense 36.8/2nd; 11.5/2nd 16.7/12th; 17.7/6th
Rush Offense/Defense 190.8/3rd; 76.2/1st 174.7/4th; 85.7/3rd
Pass Offense/Defense 180.8/9th; 154.0/3rd 159.7/10th; 244.3/13th
Total Offense/Defense 371.5/8th; 230.2/2nd 334.3/10th; 330.0/7th
What to Expect
- Edinboro has a strong three-headed rushing attack while QB Cody Harris leads the PSAC in completion percentage at 68.8. The Fighting Scots also hold onto the ball for the longest per game on average, which has been helped by Edinboro only turning the ball over twice. IUP also has a solid running game behind the PSAC’s leading rusher, Harvie Tuck, but the QB situation is a bit fluid with Pat Smith and Mike Box, who combined for four interceptions last week, which has contributed to IUP’s -1 turnover margin.
- The Crimson Hawks have the top punting and net punting unit in PSAC, so that may give them an advantage there as Edinboro is allowing 7.4 yards per return on punts, third most in league.
Series/Game Notes
IUP leads the all-time series with Edinboro 53-22-4...The Crimson Hawks blanked the Fighting Scots last year, 18-0, however Edinboro has won five of the last eight meetings with IUP...Prior to that, IUP won seven straight in the series from 1996-02...This will mark the 54th consecutive year that Edinboro and IUP will meet, dating all the way back to 1958.
Clarion (0-4, 0-1) at Slippery Rock (3-1, 1-0)
Oct. 1 - 6:00 p.m.
Slippery Rock, Pa.
Mihalik-Thompson Stadium (10,000)
Radio/Internet: WCCR 92.7 FM/ WKQW 96.3 FM/RedZoneMedia.comWISR 680 FM/ msasports.net
Conference Ranks Clarion Slippery Rock
Scoring Offense/Defense 16.0/13th; 42.5/16th 34.5/T4th; 10.0/1st
Rush Offense/Defense 174.2/5th; 308.8/16th 169.0/6th; 77.8/2nd
Pass Offense/Defense 155.2/12th; 176.5/6th 199.8/7th; 116.8/1st
Total Offense/Defense 329.5/11th; 485.2/16th 368.8/9th; 194.5/1st
What to Expect
- Defensively, this game appears to be a mismatch, as Clarion has the worst defense in the PSAC while Slippery Rock has the best. The Golden Eagles have been good at stopping the pass but that is partially because they give up over 300 ypg on the ground. Look for a heavy dose of Akeem Satterfield for The Rock as well as Jimmy Zubik. Rock QB Cody Endres already has 771 passing yards this season, over half of The Rock’s entire team passing total from last year, but has been hurt by six interceptions.
- Clarion’s best chance on offense would be to run the ball effectively, which they do slightly better than Slippery Rock, and keep the ball out of The Rock’s hands. The teams average nearly the same time of possession per game.
Series/Game Notes
Slippery Rock leads Clarion 42-24-3 in the all-time series...The Rock won last year’s meeting 16-13 and has won six of the seven meetings with the Golden Eagles...Clarion won 27-10 in 2009 in its last visit to Slippery Rock...This will mark the 64th consecutive season that these two teams have met on the gridiron...For the second straight year, the teams will play for the Milk Jug, a new traditional trophy added to the series last year.
#16/15 California (3-1, 1-0) at Lock Haven (0-3, 0-1)
Oct. 1 - 7:30 p.m.
Lock Haven, Pa.
Jack Stadium (3,500)
TV: HAVENcast
Radio/Internet: WCAL.cup.edu/WCAL 91.9 FM
Conference Ranks California Lock Haven
Scoring Offense/Defense 26.5/T8th; 17.8/7th 9.7/14th; 37.3/13th
Rush Offense/Defense 141.0/9th; 143.0/10th 73.3/16th; 197.7/15th
Pass Offense/Defense 291.2/4th; 172.2/5th 187.0/8th; 196.0/8th
Total Offense/Defense 432.2/4th; 315.2/5th 260.3/13th; 393.7/10th
What to Expect
- After a slow start to the season after not playing a game in two seasons, California QB Peter Lalich has passed for over 300 yards in each of the last two weeks while Lock Haven’s defense, after a solid start to the season, has given up an average of 468 yards over its last two games.
- Cal’s scoring has been down slighty from previous years and one of the biggest reasons for that has been that the Vulcans have the worst red zone scoring percentage in the PSAC at just 42.1. Despite having the second most red zone possessions with 19, Cal has only scored on eight of them and has four turnovers in the red zone.
- Lock Haven appears to have found a solid RB in Brandon Brader but the Eagles’ rushing game and offense overall has been hurt by sacks, as Lock Haven has allowed 12 while its defense is yet to record a sack.
Series/Game Notes
California leads the all-time series with Lock Haven 38-28-1...The Vulcans have won the last seven straight meetings with the Bald Eagles, including last year’s 58-0 win at home...Lock Haven’s last win in the series came in 2003.