Football - Week 4
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The second week of divisional play in the PSAC features three games pitting teams that are 1-0 in divisional play against each other. Highlighting those games is the annual "Coal Bowl" between IUP and California, which is one of just two games in Division II this week that will match up ranked two ranked teams against each other. Now in its fourth year as the Coal Bowl, this year's IUP-Cal game may have more significance than the previous three editions as the contests will match up the two teams that were picked in a tie for first place in the PSAC West preseason poll. The winner of the game, which will be televised live on the Pittsburgh CW and Fox College Sports, will be one of just two teams after this week to have a 2-0 record in the PSAC West heading into the second week of 'crossover' games next week.
The other team that will have a 2-0 mark in the West after this week will be the winner of the Slippery Rock-Mercyhurst game. That matchup, which will take place in Erie this year, has seen the home team win every matchup since the series began with Mercyhurst's entry into the PSAC in 2008.
Over in the PSAC East, Bloomsburg will pay a visit to Long Island to take on LIU Post and the Huskies will be looking to rebound from their first ever loss to the Pioneers last year. The winner of that game will be one of a possible maximum of three East teams to have a 2-0 record in divisional play after this week. Shippensburg and West Chester are the other two possibilities for remaining perfect in divisional play as the Red Raiders and their top offense in Division II take on Millersville while West Chester will face a test in Kutztown, which is coming off back-to-back single-digit losses to ranked teams and will be aiming to remain in the East race with a win over the Golden Rams.
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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 |
AFCA Top 25 Poll
PSAC Teams Ranked This Week – 9/17 (Week 3)
6. California
11. Bloomsburg
14. IUP
RV: Shippensbug
D2football.com Top 25 Poll
PSAC Teams Ranked This Week – 9/18 (Week 3)
6. California
12. Bloomsburg
21. 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 |
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California |
11/11 |
10/10 |
6/6 |
6/6 |
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IUP |
RV/- |
23/24 |
17/22 |
14/21 |
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Kutztown |
12/18 |
11/15 |
21/23 |
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Shippensburg |
-/- |
RV/- |
RV/- |
RV/- |
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Slippery Rock |
RV/- |
RV/- |
-/- |
-/- |
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*Ranking order: AFCA/D2football.com
PSAC Football – Week Four Notes – 9/19/12
Quick Hits
- This week’s slate of matchups were all played on October 29 last season, which was the date of the infamous fall blizzard. Most of those eight games that day were played in the snow and near-whiteout conditions.
- This is the second week of divisional games in the PSAC. In a new format this season, the first two ‘crossover’ games were broken up and instead of being played during Weeks 2 and 3 as in the past four seasons, the first set was played in Week 2 while the second set will take place next week, in Week 5.
- This week, East Stroudsburg head coach Denny Douds, who is the PSAC’s all-time leader in wins, will become the first coach in Division II history to have coached 400 games when the Warriors take on Cheyney. He already owns the Division II record for most games coached, having reached that last year with his 394th. In all NCAA divisions, Douds will become the 15th to coach in 400 games and the fifth to do it all at a single school. Douds also currently ranks in a tie for fifth place in Division II for career wins at 233.
- Entering this week’s games, eight PSAC teams are currently averaging at least 400 ypg of total offense, while three are averaging over 500 ypg. In the last 20 years of the PSAC, dating back to the 1992 season, only once – 1994 – did at least eight teams finish a season averaging 400 ypg or more of total offense. Additionally, only two teams in the last 20 years have finished a season with an offense that averaged over 500 yards per game: East Stroudsburg in both 2005 and 1996.
- Bloomsburg’s Franklyn Quiteh has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of his first three games of the season. He is the only RB in the PSAC to have done so, and is one of just five backs in all of Division II to have three 100-yard rushing games to open the season. Dajon Newell of Augustana, Joe Glendening of Hillsdale, Nick Ricciardulli of Humboldt State, Michael Hill of Missouri Western and J.B. Mathews of Colorado State-Pueblo are the others, while Jerome Regal of Tarleton State and Brandon Baker of Carson-Newman have each run for 100 in their teams’ only two games.
- There have already been four 200-yard rushing performances in the PSAC in just three weeks of the season so far. Bloomsburg’s Franklyn Quiteh ran for 218 yards in Week 1 against Stonehill and West Chester’s Rondell White rushed for 209 vs. Delaware. In Week 2, Mercyhurst freshman Brandon Brown-Dukes ran for 215 against Millersville while last week, IUP’s Harvie Tuck went for 202 against Lock Haven. The four 200-yard rushing performances in the PSAC are the most of any conference in Division II so far this season, as there have only been 13 in the whole country.
- Shippensburg has now won seven straight games dating back to last season. That streak is now tied for the third-longest current winning streak in Division II with Charleston, behind only Grand Valley State, last year’s national champion, Pittsburg State. Across all four NCAA football divisions, it is tied for ninth.
- There have been 17 games this year in which one team has compiled over 400 passing yards, and PSAC teams have been responsible for three of those, which is tied for the most of any conference. Shippensburg holds the single-game high so far this year with a 606-yard passing performance against East Stroudsburg last week, which is 70 yards more than the second-highest performance. Kutztown (431) and Gannon (420) also own 400-yard passing games. The South Atlantic Conference also has three 400-yard performances with Tusculum responsible for two of them and Wingate one.
- Shippensburg racked up 718 yards of total offense, including 606 passing yards in last week’s win over East Stroudsburg. The 718 total offensive yards rank fifth in PSAC single-game history and the 606 passing yards rank third. The Red Raiders became just the ninth team in league history to accumulate over 700 yards of total offense in a game – and the second this year – and just the fourth in league history to throw for over 600 yards in a game.
- Bloomsburg kicker Dan Fisher kicked a 52-yard field goal for the Huskies in their win over Edinboro in Week 2. It was a career high for him, is now the fourth-longest in NCAA Division II this year, tied for the fifth-longest in PSAC history, and currently is one of six from beyond 50 yards in Division II this season. This marks the sixth straight season that there has been at least one field goal of at least 50 yards in the PSAC. In two of those seasons – this year and 2009 – it has been a Bloomsburg kicker that accounted for at least one, as Jon Koenig had a 50-yarder in 2009. The last field goal in the PSAC from longer than 52 yards was by East Stroudsburg’s Greg Knauss in 2007.
- The PSAC has become somewhat of a pass-happy conference, at least over the first three weeks of the 2012 season. Through the first three games, five PSAC teams rank in the top 20 in Division II in passing yards per game. Shippensburg leads the nation at 450.0 ypg, while Kutztown checks in at No. 7 at 388.7. California is 13th (331.7) and East Stroudsburg is 20th (300.0). All five are among the 20 programs in the country that are currently averaging 300 ypg or more in passing.
National Leaders
Several PSAC teams and individuals are currently leading the country in various statistical categories. Those teams and individuals are listed below.
- Shippensburg quarterback Zach Zulli leads the country in both passing yards per game at 412.0 and in total passing yards with 1236.
- Zulli is also tied for the national lead in total offense per game at 424.7.
- For the second straight week, Edinboro defensive back Kenny Pettis’ tops Division II in total tackles per game with 16.5.
- Also for the second straight week, Mercyhurst kick returner Paris Bruner is the nation’s top kick returner at 52.5 yards per return.
- Shippensburg leads the country in passing offense at 450.0 yards per game. The Red Raiders’ 1350 passing yards also make them the only team in the country over the 1300-yard mark in not only Division II, but all NCAA divisions.
- The Red Raiders are also tops in Division II in total offense at 581.7 yards per contest. With 1745 total offensive yards, Shippensburg is also one of just two teams in Division II with over 1700 yards of total offense through the first three weeks of the season, with Colorado School of Mines being the other.
- Bloomsburg, IUP and LIU Post are three of just 18 teams in Division II that are yet to throw an interception in 2012.
- Edinboro, LIU Post, Lock Haven and Shippensburg are four of the 12 teams in the country that are yet to lose a fumble this season.
- LIU Post is one of only two teams nationally, with Minnesota-Duluth being the other, that are yet to lose a turnover.
- The Pioneers are also one of 16 teams in the country that are perfect in red zone efficiency. The Pioneers have converted on all five red zone trips on the season.
- Slippery Rock currently has eight interceptions on defense, making The Rock tied with six other teams for the national lead in that category.
- IUP leads the nation in fewest first downs allowed per game at just 7.7 per contest.
- Kutztown, Edinboro and IUP are three of the 20 teams that are yet to allow a fourth-down conversion this season (minimum one attempt). Kutztown’s opponents are 0-for-6 while Edinboro’s and IUP’s opponents are 0-for-1.
- LIU Post’s +11 turnover margin (5.5 gained per game) is tops in Division II.
Single-Game Highs
PSAC individuals and teams are responsible for six single-game highs in NCAA Division II so far this season. Those individuals are listed below.
- West Chester’s Mike Mattei has compiled the highest single-game pass efficiency rating at 329.36 in West Chester’s win over Millersville last week. That rating is nearly 70 points higher than the second-best performance.
- Gannon punter Adam Schaffer’s 64-yard punting average in the Golden Knights’ game against Slippery Rock last week ranks as the highest single-game average in the country.
- Millersville kick returner David Coates posted 242 kickoff return yards against West Chester last week, including one for a touchdown, marking the most kick return yards in a single game. This marks the second straight week that a PSAC player has been on top in this category, as Slippery Rock’s Jaimire Dutrieuille’s 226 kickoff return yards against Shippensburg two weeks ago rank second.
- Edinboro’s Kenny Pettis made 19 tackles against Bloomsburg on September 8, which is tied for the most in a game this year with two other players.
- Shippensburg’s 606 passing yards against East Stroudsburg last week is by far the most in the country this year, by 70 yards.
- Kutztown’s 723 yards of total offense against St. Anselm on August 30 is the most for any team in a game this year – by just four yards over Shippensburg’s 719 yards last week vs. East Stroudsburg.
Game Previews
Millersville (1-2, 0-1) at Shippensburg (3-0, 1-0) Millersville Preview /
Shippensburg Preview
September 22 – 1:00 p.m.
Shippensburg, Pa.
Grove Stadium (7,700)
Conference Ranks Millersville Shippensburg
Scoring Offense/Defense 20.7/12th; 39.3/14th 52.0/1st; 28.0/10th
Rush Offense/Defense 152.3/9th; 251.7/16th 131.7/12th; 115.7/7th
Pass Offense/Defense 143.7/13th; 259.0/11th 450.0/1st; 232.3/7th
Total Offense/Defense 296.0/14th; 510.7/16th 581.7/1st; 348.0/3rd
What to Expect
- Shippensburg’s offense has been machine-like in its first three games as the Red Raiders lead Division II in passing and total offense and are fifth in first downs. Given that the Red Raiders are going up against a Millersville defense that has allowed the most yards in the PSAC, look for Shippensburg to post another large number on offense.
- Offensively, the Marauders had a great performance in Week 1 but have fizzled out in the last two games. Their strength is the running game behind dual threat QB Ted Stachitas and RBs Myron Myles and Mike Jones but one of the reasons they rank low in the conference in passing has been its pass protection. The Marauders have allowed a league-high 14 sacks and they will be doing up against a Shippensburg defense that has recorded 11 sacks, the second-most in the league.
- About the only area that Shippensburg has not done well in has been its punt returns, which has produced a total of -2 yards on four returns. Millersville has averaged a respectable 7.7 ypr on just three returns.
Series/Game Notes
Shippensburg leads Millersville 39-23-2 in the all-time series...The Red Raiders have won the last eight meetings dating back to 2001, including last season’s 40-0 shutout at Millersville…Shippensburg won by a 19-14 score in its last home game against the Marauders…Millersville won the previous five meetings prior to Shippensburg’s current streak...The teams have met in 17 of the past 24 years despite being in opposite divisions in the PSAC up until 2008.
Slippery Rock (2-1, 1-0) at Mercyhurst (2-1, 1-0) Slippery Rock Preview / Mercyhurst Preview
September 22 – 1:00 p.m.
Erie, Pa.
Tullio Field (2,300)
Conference Ranks Slippery Rock Mercyhurst
Scoring Offense/Defense 41.7/5th; 26.3/T5th 36.3/7th; 26.7/7th
Rush Offense/Defense 162.3/7th; 88.0/4th 245.7/3rd; 213.0/12th
Pass Offense/Defense 185.3/10th; 294.7/13th 163.3/12th; 148.0/2nd
Total Offense/Defense 347.7/12th; 382.7/8th 409.0/8th; 361.0/5th
What to Expect
- Both teams have a potent kick return game as each has a kickoff return for a touchdown this year, so a big special teams play could make the different in a close game. Mercyhurst is averaging a league-best 35.9 ypr on kickoff returns while Slippery Rock is second with a 28.9 ypr average. The Lakers are also averaging an impressive 12.8 ypr on punts, second in the league, while Slippery Rock checks in at a solid 8.1 ypr, good for sixth.
- Both teams also are among the best kickoff coverage and punting coverage teams in the PSAC. The Lakers average 51.9 net yards per kickoff to rank second in the league and have a league-best 10 touchbacks, while The Rock is third at 45.9 net yards per kickoff. Rock leads the conference with a 43.1 net yards per punt average while Mercyhurst is third at 40.7, so something clearly will have to give in this matchup.
- Offensively, each team will likely look to primarily run the ball, as that has proven to be each team’s strength so far this season. Rock’s Akeem Satterfield ranks seventh in the conference at 90.3 ypg while Mercyhurst’s Brandon Brown-Dukes is third at 136.3 ypg, including a league-best 8.3 ypc. Rock has done a good job of stopping the run defensively, while ‘Hurst has struggled in stopping the run.
Series/Game Notes
Slippery Rock and Mercyhurs are tied 2-2 in the all-time series...The road team has never won in this series…Three of the four meetings have been decided by single digits…The Rock won in 2009, 17-16, and last year, 28-21, while the Lakers won in 2008, 34-10 and 21-13 in 2010…Rock’s win last year over the Lakers clinched the PSAC West crown and a spot in last year’s PSAC championship game.
#11/12 Bloomsburg (3-0, 1-0) at LIU Post (2-0, 1-0) Bloomsburg Preview / LIU Post Preview
September 22 – 1:00 p.m.
Brookville, N.Y.
Hickox Field (5,000)
Conference Ranks Bloomsburg LIU Post
Scoring Offense/Defense 39.3/6th; 26.3/T5th 45.5/3rd; 18.0/2nd
Rush Offense/Defense 332.3/1st; 77.0/T2nd 223.5/4th; 244.50/15th
Pass Offense/Defense 178.0/11th; 318.3/15th 199.0/8th; 150.0/3rd
Total Offense/Defense 510.3/3rd; 395.3/10th 422.5/7th; 394.5/9th
What to Expect
- Bloomsburg has the second-best rushing offense in Division II behind Franklyn Quiteh and Eddie Mateo, who are two of the 29 RBs in the nation averaging at least 100 ypg on the ground. They will be going up against an LIU Post rush defense that is ranked 142
nd out of 156 teams in Division II against the run, so look for another big number in the rushing yards column this week for the Huskies.
- The Pioneers also have a strong rushing attack but they may have better success in attacking Bloomsburg through the air, as the Huskies have given up the second-most passing yards in the PSAC. While some of that can be attributed to the big leads they got in their first two games, forcing the other team to pass late, the Huskies did give up 376 passing yards to Kutztown last week.
- Not surprisingly, Bloomsburg also leads the PSAC in average time of possession, holding onto the ball for an average of exactly 35 minutes per contest, almost exactly five minutes more per game than LIU Post. In order for the Pioneers to cut down on that different, they will need to maintain their nation-leading turnover margin, which currently stands at +11 (5.5 per game). LIU Post has gained 11 turnovers without losing a single one in two games. Bloomsburg also has a solid turnover margin at +5 but it has also lost seven fumbles, the second-most in the league.
Series/Game Notes
Bloomsburg leads LIU Post 4-1 in the all-time series...The Pioneers won their first game in the series last year with a 24-21 at Bloomsburg, which was the Huskies’ first loss of the season after an 8-0 start…The Huskies won 36-16 in their last visit to Long Island in 2010, 28-14 at home in 2009 and just edged out the Pioneers 13-6 on the road in 2008...The teams also met in 2007 in a non-conference game to open the season at Bloomsburg.
West Chester (2-1, 1-0) at Kutztown (1-2, 0-1) West Chester Preview / Kutztown Preview
September 22 – 1:05 p.m.
Kutztown, Pa.
University Field (5,600)
Conference Ranks West Chester Kutztown
Scoring Offense/Defense 32.7/9th; 24.0/4th 46.7/2nd; 32.7/13th
Rush Offense/Defense 197.3/5th; 111.3/6th 134.3/11th; 175.7/9th
Pass Offense/Defense 250.7/6th; 245.7/9th 388.7/2nd; 247.0/10th
Total Offense/Defense 448.0/5th; 357.0/4th 523.0/2nd; 422.7/11th
What to Expect
- This game has the potential to be a turning point in the season for both teams. The Golden Rams have looked good in their last two games and with a win, would be 2-0 in the PSAC East as they look to get back to the top of the division after back-to-back losing seasons. Kutztown has dropped back-to-back games by single digits to nationally-ranked teams, have been bitten by some injuries over the last few weeks but would be right back into the thick of the East race with a win.
- Kutztown QB Kevin Morton went out with an injury last week at Bloomsburg but in his place, Josh Luckenbaugh came in and put up nearly identical numbers, so Kutztown’s passing game might not take as much of a hit as one might think if Morton is unable to go. Kutztown’s ground game has struggled a bit in Josh Mastromatto’s absence. He missed last week’s game and although Curtis Wortham ran for 102 yards, the rest of the squad combined for -8 yards on the ground.
- West Chester has so far been a balanced squad offensively behind the running of Rondell White, who is averaging 130.0 ypg on the ground to rank fourth in the league, and the passing game behind QB Mike Mattei, who has stepped in for the injured Sean McCartney and completed 62.7 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and just one interception. Kutztown’s defense ranks in the lower half of the PSAC.
Series/Game Notes
West Chester holds a 47-9-1 advantage over Kutztown in the all-time series, but Kutztown has won the last two meetings, 24-0 last year and 45-23 in 2010…That 2010 win marked the Golden Bears’ first win over the Golden Rams since a one-point home win in 2003…The Golden Rams’ last beat Kutztown in 2009, 37-17, which marked the end of a six-game winning streak in the series for them.
Cheyney (1-2, 0-1) at East Stroudsburg (1-1, 0-1) Cheyney Preview /
East Stroudsburg Preview
September 22 – 1:05 p.m.
East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Eiler-Martin Stadium (6,000)
Conference Ranks Cheyney East Stroudsburg
Scoring Offense/Defense 14.7/14th; 40.7/15th 26.0/10th; 31.5/12th
Rush Offense/Defense 149.7/10th; 180.3/10th 78.0/13th; 98.5/5th
Pass Offense/Defense 46.3/16th; 270.7/12th 300.0/5th; 378.5/16th
Total Offense/Defense 196.0/15th; 451.0/13th 378.0/10th; 477.0/15th
What to Expect
- East Stroudsburg once again is proving it will likely have one of the best passing offenses in the league this year as the Warriors have thrown for 600 yards in two games this season. They will likely look to do the same against the Wolves, who have given up at least 300 passing yards in two of their three games this season.
- Offensively, a strong passing game has proven elusive for Cheyney so far, as the Wolves twice have posted passing numbers in the 20s, with 97 being their team-high. More success in the passing game may be critical for Cheyney against the Warriors, who gave up over 600 passing yards last week to Shippensburg. The Wolves have a respectable running game behind Marcus Jones, but the lack of a threatening passing game has allowed opposing defenses to key in on Cheyney’s ground game.
- Although they haven’t been able to compile many yards through the air, the Wolves have done a good job in pass protection, as Cheyney has allowed just four sacks in three games compared to seven in two games for East Stroudsburg. Defensively, the Warriors have recorded just two sacks in two games while the Wolves have five in three.
Series/Game Notes
East Stroudsburg leads Cheyney 55-1 in the all-time series...The Warriors have won the last 32 consecutive meetings with the Wolves, an NCAA Division II record for consecutive wins by one school against another...That streak was in jeopardy for a time last year as East Stroudsburg won 10-6 but trailed for half of the game until a touchdown midway through the third quarter…ESU won the last meeting between the two teams at home 58-14 two years ago...The Wolves’ only win in the series came in 1979, a 7-3 win.
Edinboro (0-2, 0-1) at Lock Haven (0-3, 0-1) Edinboro Preview /
Lock Haven Preview
September 22 – 3:00 p.m.
Lock Haven, Pa.
Hubert Jack Stadium (3,500)
Conference Ranks Edinboro Lock Haven
Scoring Offense/Defense 14.0/15th; 27.0/T8th 0.0/16th; 42.7/16th
Rush Offense/Defense 76.5/14th; 242.5/14th 54.7/15th; 226.0/13th
Pass Offense/Defense 239.5/7th; 206.0/6th 116.3/15th; 233.3/8th
Total Offense/Defense 316.0/13th; 448.5/12th 171.0/16th; 459.3/14th
What to Expect
- This is a matchup of two teams looking for their first win of the season but how each got to this point is different. Edinboro has dropped its first two games to a pair of ranked opponents in Bloomsburg and California, while Lock Haven is still looking for its first point of the season.
- Edinboro’s rushing attack has been hampered by some injuries but their passing game appears to be solid once again this season behind Cody Harris, who has completed 68.1 percent of his passes with just one interception so far. Lock Haven is giving up almost the same number of yards on the ground and through the air.
- Despite a third-down conversion rate of just 20 percent (9-of-45), Lock Haven has managed to hold onto the ball for an average of over 30 minutes per contest, which ranks in the upper half of the PSAC and the Bald Eagles on average hold onto the ball for nearly four minutes longer than the Fighting Scots.
Series/Game Notes
Edinboro leads the all-time series with Lock Haven 39-14-1...The Fighting Scots won last year’s meeting 42-7 at home and also won 30-22 in their last visit to Lock Haven in 2010…Edinboro has also won the last 11 straight meetings in the series, as well as 29 of the last 30...The Bald Eagles last defeated Edinboro in 2000 but prior to that, its last win over the Scots was in 1982.
#14/21 IUP (3-0, 1-0) at #6/6 California (3-0, 1-0) IUP Preview /
California Preview
September 22 – 3:30 p.m.
California, Pa.
Adamson Stadium (6,500)
Conference Ranks IUP California
Scoring Offense/Defense 43.7/4th; 2.0/1st 34.0/8th; 27.0/T8th
Rush Offense/Defense 325.3/2nd; 29.0/1st 155.7/8th; 77.0/T2nd
Pass Offense/Defense 122.3/14th; 121.0/1st 331.7/4th; 301.0/14th
Total Offense/Defense 447.7/6th; 150.0/1st 487.3/4th; 378.0/7th
What to Expect
- This game has the potential to be a defensive struggle, as IUP has yielded just six points on the season so far and ranks second nationally and first in the conference in rushing, scoring and total defense. Despite having its overall numbers go up a bit due to its shootout with Kutztown in Week 2, the Vulcans are still tied for second in the league in rushing defense and still rank in the upper half of the conference in total defense. The Crimson Hawks have the better defensive numbers but the Vulcans have played a much tougher schedule through three weeks.
- The Crimson Hawks and Vulcans have both held onto the ball for extended periods of time, with IUP ranking second and Cal fourth in the league in time of possession. Both may find it tough to run as well as they have so far this year on the opposing defense and if either team is forced to go to the air often, California would appear to have the advantage, however, IUP has a much stronger pass defense than the Vulcans, who were shredded by Kutztown’s air attack in Week 2. Both teams are also equally effective in pass protection, as the teams have combined to allow just three sacks on the year.
- Given how even these two teams appear to be statistically, it would appear that just one play could turn the tide in a close game. Even on special teams, the two squads are very even, ranking right next to each other in average kick returns and IUP holding a slight advantage in average punt returns and Cal holding a slight advantage in average net punting. Field position could also play a factor, and if that is the case, IUP holds about an eight-yard advantage over Cal in kickoff coverage.
Series/Game Notes
IUP leads the series with California 58-24-2, but California has won the last five consecutive meetings and six of the last seven…Last year, the Vulcans prevailed 28-10 at IUP…Two years ago, in the teams’ last meeting at Cal, the Vulcans pulled out an 18-15 overtime win in which they scored the game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion with just five seconds left in regulation...The series was renamed the “Coal Bowl” starting in 2009 and the winner takes home the Lunch Pail Trophy, meaning IUP has never possessed the Lunch Pail...IUP’s last win in the series came in 2006, a 21-17 win...Prior to 2005, IUP won 20 straight meetings in the series from 1985-2004.
Clarion (1-2, 0-1) at Gannon (1-2, 0-1) Clarion Preview / Gannon Preview
September 22 – 6:00 p.m.
Erie, Pa.
University Field (2,500)
Conference Ranks Clarion Gannon
Scoring Offense/Defense 15.7/13th; 22.7/3rd 23.7/11th; 30.7/11th
Rush Offense/Defense 178.0/6th; 186.0/11th 43.7/16th; 146.0/8th
Pass Offense/Defense 192.7/9th; 176.3/4th 337.7/3rd; 183.0/5th
Total Offense/Defense 370.7/11th; 362.3/6th 381.3/9th; 329.0/2nd
What to Expect
- This game could be a study in contrasting offenses as Clarion has been one of the better rushing teams in the PSAC thus far while Gannon, behind freshman QB Liam Nadler, has been one of the top passing teams in the league, marking the first time since the Golden Knights joined the PSAC that they have ranked among the conference leaders in passing.
- The Golden Eagles will likely rely heavily on the running of Bobby Thomas, who is one of six RBs in the PSAC averaging over 100 ypg, as well as QB Ben Fiscus, who also contributes 63.0 ypg. Fiscus is also currently averaging 192.7 passing ypg, which is by far the most of his career at this point. His career best was just over 120 last year.
- Gannon has struggled in putting together a ground game so far this season, with 83 yards in Week 2 vs. West Chester being its game-high in rushing yards. Part of the reason for that has been sacks, as the Golden Knights have given up 13 sacks, the second-most in the league. An effective ground game could help them against the Golden Eagles, who have been far more effective in defending the pass than the run in their first three games.
Series/Game Notes
Clarion leads Gannon 3-1 in the all-time series...Three of the four meetings have been decided by single digits…After Gannon won the inaugural meeting between the schools, 31-24 in Erie in 2008, Clarion has won the last three straight meetings, 42-21 in 2009, 11-10 in 2010 and 28-21 last year.