Yes, this is what West Chester (5-2, 3-1) faces when it welcomes #13 Shippensburg (7-0, 4-0) to Farrell Stadium for homecoming this Saturday at 2:00 pm.
This past week, the Raiders ruined Kutztown's homecoming with a 73-35 flogging of the Golden Bears and they'll look to do the same this Saturday to West Chester. Shippensburg brings lofty national rankings in several offensive categories: first in passing with 423 yards per game; first in total offense with 578 yards per game; second in scoring offense with 53.5 points per game; fourth in kickoff returns with nearly 27 yards per return; and second in passing efficiency with a 188.1 rating. Oh and their running game isn't too shabby with 155 yards per game. Okay, so what about their defense? Continuing with national rankings: sixth in rushing defense allowing 82 yards per game; 21st in total defense allowing 305 yards per game; 13th in sacks with 3 per game; and 46th in scoring defense allowing 21 points per game. There just are not a lot of chinks in the armor.
For his incredible numbers against Kutztown, quarterback Zulli (46 of 61, 581 yards, 9 TD's 0 interceptions) picked up his fifth PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week award in the first seven weeks of the season. Nine Raiders have ten or more receptions. Top targets are 6'3" So. WR Trevor Harman (46 catches, 710 yards, 10 TD's), 6'1" Sr. WR Jacob Baskerville (30 catches, 567 yards, 5 TD's) and 5'11" Sr. WR Bryan Barley (22 catches, 432 yards, 4 TD's). Running backs Mike Frenette (29 catches, 295 yards, 1 TD, 92 rushes, 551 yards, 7 TD's) and Kevin Herod (16 catches, 192 yards, 3 TD's, 27 rushes, 70 yards, 1 TD) are just as dangerous receiving as they are running.
Defensively, Shippensburg is led by linebackers Brian Sourber (50 total tackles, 2 sacks) and Cody Fleming (45 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups). Up front, there is 6'7" Jake Metz (36 total tackles, 8 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles) and Dainen Green (17 total tackles, 3.5 sacks). The secondary is led by Avery Coleman (41 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups) and Corey Hunt (33 total tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup).
Look for West Chester to establish the running game in an attempt to keep the ball out of Zulli's hands since it will be a tall order for the depleted West Chester defense to contain the number one passing offense in the country.
Notes - West Chester rode a 17 point third quarter to a 52-17 win last season at Shippensburg. In that game, LaRonn Lee had three touchdowns and Zulli threw three interceptions...West Chester quarterback Mike Mattei is now fourth in the country in pass efficiency. Rondell White is 17th in rushing and fifth in all-purpose yards...reigning PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week Ronell Williams is tenth in the country in tackles...Zulli is D2football.com's reigning offensive player of the week...West Chester has not won their homecoming game since Dr. Weisenstein became president of the university, losing 21-20 to East Stroudsburg in 2009, 39-37 to CW Post in 2010 and 55-42 to Bloomsburg in 2011...Zwaan is 7-2 against Shippensburg.
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Welcomes Shippensburg On Homecoming Saturday
PSAC Site - Football - Week 8 Notes
Shippensburg Athletic Site - No. 13 Red Raider Football Travels to West Chester Saturday for Showdown with the Golden Rams
KYW Newsradio - West Chester Hosts Undefeated Shippensburg
The Sentinel - Shippensburg looking to avoid trap against West Chester with No. 4 Bloomsburg on the horizon
Public Opinion - Shippensburg to play dangerous West Chester
Shippensburg News-Chronicle - No. 13 SU heads to WCU on nation's longest win streak
D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week 8 Preview