If one were to predict that West Chester was going to be 4-2 at this point in the season, most fans would have been quite pleased, figuring losses to nationally ranked Delaware (#15 in the latest FCS rankings) and California (#16 in the latest AFCA Division II rankings). It also would have implied expected victories over Gannon, Millersville and East Stroudsburg and stealing a win back from Kutztown, whom the Rams hadn't beaten since 2009. But after knocking off then #6 California, West Chester was 4-1 and off to their best start since 2007. Play was clean and crisp. Turnovers were few. Offensive yards were plentiful on the ground and through the air. Expectations were raised. And then the reality of East Stroudsburg struck.
So the record sits at 4-2, equaling their win total of 2010. And with a 1-5 Cheyney team on the horizon, the Rams seem almost assured of equaling last year's win total. But the prospects of eclipsing that mark, to break above .500, are not so sure. Shippensburg (6-0) comes to town in two weeks and a trip to Bloomsburg (6-0) is two weeks hence. First up is a home contest with LIU Post (2-3) and the final week is scheduled to be at Clarion (3-3), who knocked off the Warriors last week. After six games, it's time to dig into this team a little closer.
Offense
The quarterback issues of last season seemed to be resolved all the way until midway through the third quarter of the first game. Sean McCartney incurred a broken ankle, but Mike Mattei has stepped right in and played very well. Even after struggling the past two weeks (58% and 5 interceptions against California and East Stroudsburg), Mattei has thrown for almost 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns and owns a QB rating of 168.4, good for 6th in the entire country. And he's accomplishing this with injuries affecting the two most experienced receivers, LaRonn Lee (14 catches, 195 yards, 2 TD's) and Tim Keyser (6 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD). With Lee's and Keyser's playing time limited, Jim Kelly (24 catches, 401 yards, 5 TD's), Erick Brundidge (17 catches, 350 yards, 5 TD's), and Sean Beahan (13 catches, 238 yards, 2 TD's) have filled in nicely.
Mattei is also being aided by a renewed emphasis on the running game. Even after netting only 57 yards on the ground against East Stroudsburg, the Golden Rams are still averaging 157 yards per game rushing, which is the best they've done in that category since 2008, the last season they went to the playoffs. The workload has been primarily carried by Rondell White (150 carries, 714 yards, 6 TD's). Backup tailback Brandon Monk (17 carries, 103 yards) has seen limited action in the backfield and one must wonder if he may have provided a spark or at least a different look against East Stroudsburg.
Credit for the offensive numbers getting back to 2008 levels goes to the men up front: Erik Pratt, Trey Farmer, Brian Margetich, Derek Schatz, Blair Gower, and Adam Citko. They've only given up seven sacks on the season including none to Delaware. There's no question the offensive line was a big reason for the win at California, but also the loss at East Stroudsburg. Efforts like those witnessed along the Monongahela River will carry the offense forward the remainder of this season.
Defense
The Golden Ram defense took a big step to address the rushing defense. Yielding 197 yards per game in 2010 and 180 yards per game last season certainly warranted it. So for the first time ever, a Bill Zwaan coached team is sporting a four-man defensive line. Thus far, it has been a great success. After six games, the Rams are giving up only 103 yards per game on the ground. Although Eric Edwers, Demrick Cook, Anthony McCloskey, Andrew Cohen and Lew Esposito are averaging 16 tackles so far this season, they are occupying all blockers allowing linebackers Ronell Williams (64 tackles) and Mike Labor (39 tackles) to make the majority of stops.
It's apparent that this 4-2-5 defense isn't going to generate a lot of sacks, although the Rams do have eleven thus far on the season, led by Edwers' three. But it does generate some pressure on the quarterback and has created a league leading twelve interceptions, led by Williams' three picks. What was thought to be an area of strength on the Golden Ram defense this season was its experience and depth in the secondary. However, West Chester is dead last in the conference in passing yards allowed. Part of this is due to the scheme which allows for short underneath passes, especially over the middle, but aims to take away the deep ball. But there have been some noticeable personnel struggles in the secondary as was apparent on the last play of the East Stroudsburg game. Even so, the defense has scored four touchdowns this season, led by John O'Donnell's two.
Special Teams
Special teams is a short title that covers a lot of areas. Kick coverage is in the middle of the conference averages, despite surrendering two kick returns for touchdown to open the second half of consecutive games. Punt coverage is also performing adequately. Besides Monk ripping a 47-yard punt return, the punt and kick return game has not been anything special. Kicker Shawn Leo is 28-29 on PAT's and has converted two of his only three field goal attempts.
General
Despite being -4 in turnover margin against East Stroudsburg, the Rams are still +3 on the season. This is a key statistic in West Chester controlling and winning games this season. Red zone success rate is at 82% which is just about the same as last year. But unlike last year, that entire 82% has been for touchdowns as opposed to last year's 57% touchdown rate in the red zone. The Golden Rams start games strong. Defensively, they've only allowed 7 first-quarter points to D2 competition and have outscored their opponents 114-75 in the first half. But the third quarter is an area that requires focus. Although West Chester has played their opponents fairly evenly in the third quarter, in the their three close games (Gannon, California, East Stroudsburg), they are getting outscored 28-0. These Rams need to find a way to start the second half as strong as they start the first half.
So rather than entering the second half of the season on a five game win streak, West Chester starts a three-game home stand with the season in the balance. They face division foe LIU-Post (2-3, 1-2), a team they haven't defeated since 2009. Treating every opponent as if they were Delaware or California is likely the needed approach.
