Game Preview - Gannon

West Chester has been playing football for over 90 years, but 2013 will be the first time that they travel to play in Erie, PA. The Golden Rams were scheduled to play the last regular season game of 2008 at Mercyhurst, but after finishing PSAC East play undefeated, they were rerouted to California where they faced the Vulcans in the PSAC championship game. West Chester (1-0) is set to kickoff at Gannon (1-0) at noon on Saturday.

Gannon is coming off a 36-33 victory over Lake Erie in Painesville, OH on Thursday. In that game, the Golden Knights racked up 241 yards rushing and 398 yards passing, although in 2012, Lake Erie's defense was among the worst in the nation yielding 40 points per game and 470 yards per game. Meanwhile, West Chester is coming off a 45-14 flogging of three-time NE10 champion New Haven.

Series History:

Gannon just joined the PSAC in 2008 and the two teams have only faced each other once, with the Golden Rams defeating the Golden Knights 21-17 last year at Farrell Stadium.

Last Meeting:

09/08/2012 West Chester 21 - Gannon 17

In last year's home opener, the Golden Rams never trailed in earning a 21-17 win on a sunny, hot and humid afternoon. However it was by no means an easy game for West Chester against a Gannon team that would finish the season 3-8. Although yielding over 350 yards, the Golden Ram defense forced five turnovers and notched three sacks. All three West Chester touchdowns came as a direct result of Gannon turnovers. And even though Rondell White would go on to break the West Chester single-season rushing record, and Gannon would finish the season 14th in the conference in rushing yards allowed, the Golden Knights held the All-American to just 45 yards, 23 of which came on one play. Erick Brundidge had three catches for 66 yards, including the game-winning 29-yard touchdown catch with five minutes left in the game.

Defensively, the Golden Rams were led by linebackers Ronell Williams and Mike Labor who had 12 and 11 tackles respectively and Andrew Cohen who had a game-high three tackles for loss.

Scouting the Golden Knights:

Gannon returns nine starters from an offense that set several school passing records last year. Sophomore quarterback Liam Nadler (242-428, 2910 yards, 21 TD's) was 18 of 35 for 267 yards and two touchdowns in his second collegiate start last year at West Chester, but his three interceptions proved costly to the outcome of the game. His primary targets are wide receiver Abraham Ocasio (64 catches, 911 yards, 10 TD's) and diminutive wide receiver Justin Caliste (60 catches, 715 yards, 3 TD's). Both were All-PSAC performers for the second time as sophomores last year. In last year's game against West Chester, Ocasio had seven catches for 123 yards and one touchdown while Caliste had five catches for 116 yards and one touchdown. The speedy Caliste is also dangerous as the Golden Knights primary kick and punt returner.

The offensive line will be anchored by the return of a Alex Davis who missed last season due to an injury and Rhode Island transfer Kelson Patterson. They'll lead the way for running back Jansen Jones (181 carries, 692 yards, 5 TD's) who had a quiet day against the Rams last year.

The Golden Knight defense allowed the third fewest yards in the PSAC last season, but they also lost four of their top five tacklers, including defensive lineman Ian Jeffers, linebacker Will Giles and defensive back Khayree Connors-McChristian who all earned All-PSAC West honors. Their top returning tackler is cornerback Mike Phillips (96 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups), although he did not register a tackle against Lake Erie last week. He'll get support from defensive back Tashawn Sneed who logged five interceptions a year ago, while linebacker Luke Rankie (51 tackles, 7.5 TFL) looks to bounce from an injury-shortened season.

Analysis:

There are several questions for West Chester going into this game. How will the secondary handle Nadler and the Gannon speedy receiving corps? Will the offense be able to get White going after he was shut down by Gannon last season? How will the Golden Rams respond to their longest road trip in many years? Will the quirky stadium with few Golden Rams fans in attendance be an issue? On paper, this looks like a Golden Ram win, but they don't play the games on paper.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video ($8)

PSAC Site - Football - Week 2 Notes

Gannon Athletic Site - Gannon Football Team Hosts No. 23 West Chester Saturday Afternoon in Home Opener

KYW Newsradio - West Chester Looks To Build Off Impressive Opener

GoErie.com - Gannon might bring offense down to Earth

GoErie.com - Edinboro, Gannon face tough PSAC East teams in home openers

Daily Local News - WCU tries to cement newly minted top-25 status at Gannon

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Two Preview