The Warriors are coming off a come-from-ahead 31-27 loss to Clarion (3-2). The Warriors led 27-17 early in the fourth quarter, but surrendered two touchdowns including the game-winning run with 27 seconds left in the game. They've defeated Lock Haven 31-0 and Cheyney 59-27 while they fell to Shippensburg 63-21.
It's difficult to read too much into East Stroudsburg statistics as they have had great success over Lock Haven (1-4) and Cheyney (0-5), but were not very effective against their better competition. Against Clarion, R-Fr QB Matt Soltes was a one-man show as he threw for 256 yards and was the team's leading rusher with 62 yards. On the season, he's completing 50% of his attempts with 2 TD's and 1 int. He's assumed the role of Nate Daniels (30-54 for 563 yards, TD's 3 int's) who started the season at QB. Their primary targets are Dusty Reed (21 catches, 362 yards, 2 TD's) and Jordan Hallman (9 catches, 270 yards, 4 TD's). The Warriors' main running threat comes from Kendrick Williams (44 carries, 260 yards, 3 TD's) and Eric Deery (37 carries, 253 yards, 2 TD's).
East Stroudsburg's defense has only registered five sacks and three interceptions thus far on the season. A pleasant surprise has been freshman LB Brandon Pearce (14 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss). The Kinney brothers, Mike (27 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss) and Don (26 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss) also clog up the middle. Darius Jackson played the last two seasons at fullback but is now at linebacker (23 total tackles, 1 int returned for a TD).
The Warriors continue their long standing tradition of good kickers. Although Taylor Groff is only 5 of 9 on field goal attempts, his misses have come from 49, 53, 50 and 38 yards. Groff converted a 51-yarder against Clarion. Punter Jordan Bair has landed 5 of his 12 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
Notes - Saturday will be homecoming for East Stroudsburg...WCU QB Mike Mattei is 6th in the country in passing efficiency...the Rams are tied for 20th in the country in turnover margin at +6...the new four-man front has had its intended affect thus far as West Chester is ranked 19th nationally in run defense with 95 yards per game...In nine seasons, Zwaan is 8-2 against the Warriors, including two wins in 2004 at East Stroudsburg...the two losses were each by one point in 2003 and 2009...West Chester won last year's game 37-26 at Farrell Stadium as Shawn Leo booted three field goals, Rondell White ran for 203 yards, and Sean McCartney threw for 239 yards.
PSAC Site - Football - Week 6 Notes
East Stroudsburg Athletic Site - ESU Football Game Notes vs. West Chester
KYW Newsradio - West Chester Looks To Continue Roll At East Stroudsburg
Morning Call - COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: West Chester at ESU
Lehigh Valley Live - Local athletes making an impact on the East Stroudsburg University football team
Daily Local News - WCU aims to keep momentum going against ESU
D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week 6 Preview