The Golden Knights haven't finished better than 6-5 since joining the PSAC in 2008, but they have a knack for playing spoiler. In 2009, they defeated Bloomsburg in Bloomsburg by a score of 10-7 in the final game of the regular season, ending the Huskies season at 8-3 with no chance for a NCAA playoff bid. And last year, despite finishing 4-7, the Golden Knights gave Slippery Rock their second loss of the season, 33-27, essentially ending all talk of The Rock making the postseason.
Last week, Gannon opened the season with a heroic 36-33 victory over Lake Erie (OH) which finished 2011 3-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In that contest, redshirt freshman quarterback Liam Nadler made his collegiate debut and went 27 of 44 for a school record 420 yards and four touchdowns. For his effort, Nadler was named PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week. The 6'7" signal caller was 4 of 4 for 74 yards in the final drive, including a fourth down touchdown pass with a minute left in the game.
Wide receiver So. Abraham Ocasio had 8 catches for 159 yards and 2 TD's and So. Joe Sobucki had 6 catches for 106 yards and a TD. Although running backs Jansen Jones and Alex Papson rushed for 481 yards and 369 yards respectively last season, against Lake Erie the two ball carriers combined for 12 net yards on 17 carries. Nadler was sacked 8 times for 43 yards and lost two of his three fumbles against Lake Erie.
On defense, Gannon is led by All-PSAC West defensive lineman Ian Jeffers who had six tackles against Lake Erie. Freshman defensive lineman Trenton Donald was credited with three pass breakups last week while Sr. linebacker Will Giles filled the stat sheet with eight total tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception which led to a Gannon touchdown.
Notes - At halftime, the WCU Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will be introduced...Despite Gannon entering its fifth season in the PSAC, this will be the first time ever that they've faced West Chester...The Gannon squad is very young - Brad Rzyczycki is in his first year as head coach and they start just two seniors on offense and five seniors on defense...Rondell White is 5th in the country in both rushing yardage and all-purpose yardage...After suffering a broken ankle in the Delaware game, Sean McCartney is out for the season. Sr. Mike Mattei will get the start at QB.
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Lifts Lid On Home Slate Saturday Against Gannon At Noon
PSAC Site - Football - Week 2 Notes
Gannon Athletic Site - Gannon Football Team Hits The Road Saturday Afternoon for First Time; Travels to Traditional PSAC East Power West Chester
KYW Newsradio - West Chester Hosts Gannon Saturday
GoErie.com - Nadler-Ocasio connection on early display at Gannon
Daily Local News - Mattei steps in for injured McCartney in WCU’s home opener
WCHE 1520 - Bill Zwaan Football Show Podcast
