Golden Ram Football Club: Game Preview

The #17 Golden Rams (4-0, 2-0) host the California Vulcans (3-1, 1-1) on Saturday in Farrell Stadium. Kickoff for this PSAC crossover game is set for noon. West Chester is coming off a narrow 22-21 victory over Kutztown while California suffered its first loss of the season to #7 Indiana on Saturday by a score of 20-7.

Series History:
Thanks to the reinstituted PSAC championship game, these two teams have met more in the past six years than the previous 50 years. Prior to this millennia, West Chester held a 4-0 advantage in the series. But from 2007 to 2009, the next four games went to California. This was the same three-year period that the Vulcans were winning the PSAC West and the NCAA Super Region 1. Included in this timeframe were two meetings in 2008 - West Chester made their way out to California to open the season on a hot August day and then again for PSAC championship game on a cold and windy November afternoon. Last year marked WCU head coach Bill Zwaan’s first victory over California and West Chester now holds a 5-4 lead in the series. California's Mike Kellar is in his second season as head coach after serving on the staff for six years.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
				2007	Home	Loss	30-14
1956	Away	Win	31-7	2008	Away	Loss	44-32
1957	Home	Win	52-0	2008	Away	Loss	47-36
1994	Away	Win	60-14	2009	Home	Loss	30-23
1995	Home	Win	25-24	2012	Away	Win	37-34

Last Meeting:

09/29/2012 West Chester 37 - California 34

The Golden Rams defense dominated the start of the game when they returned a fumble for a touchdown and forced a three-and-out and the offense took almost six minutes off the clock on a touchdown drive to take a 14-0 lead. The Vulcans made West Chester’s 27-13 halftime lead disappear on a 12-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter. The Golden Rams stretched the lead to ten points with three minutes left in the game, but it wasn’t until Ronell Williams intercepted a pass at the California 33 that the game was sealed.

West Chester rolled up 500 yards of offense on the #6 team in the nation, including 200 yards rushing by Rondell White and 289 passing from Mike Mattei. Jim Kelly had eight catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Williams had seven tackles to go along with his interception while Anthony McCloskey had two tackles and an interception from his nose guard position.

Scouting the Opponent:

Offensively, California is not known for their rushing ability. They have a total of 334 yards on the season. Consider that West Chester had 456 yards on the ground in just the Millersville game. When they do run the ball, Jr. RB Jeff Knox, Jr leads the way with 221 yards, but only 2.9 yards/carry and no touchdowns.

The Vulcans passing game is led by So. QB Cody Schroeder (68-115, 804 yards, 7 TD’s, 5 interceptions). After struggling in the first half of Cal’s 20-7 loss to Indiana, he was lifted for James Harris (8-16, 122 yards, 1 TD, 2 interceptions). The challenges they face in the passing game are perplexing since they have a talented receiving corps. Sr. WR Mike Williams (20 catches, 252 yards, 2 TD’s) was All-PSAC last year and a preseason All-American this year. Diminutive Sr. WR Trey Johnson (20 catches, 200 yards, 1 TD) who also serves as the Vulcan’s punt returner, had 11 catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s game against West Chester. Their third option is 6’4” So. WR Kowan Scott (12 catches, 187 yards, 1 TD) who had three catches for 95 yards and a touchdown last year against West Chester.

California doesn’t have the big names on defense that they have historically had, but it’s one of the best units in the PSAC. They are second in the conference in scoring, yielding only 14 points/game and give up only 95 yards/game on the ground, good for fourth in the PSAC. Their pass defense is on par with West Chester’s in regards to yardage, giving up 231 yards/game, but through four games, they have allowed only two passing touchdowns. They’ve also snared seven interceptions and sacked opposing quarterbacks 11 times.

Individually, the Vulcans are led by Sr. LB BJ Stevens (27 total tackles, 5 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles) who was All-PSAC last season and a preseason All-American this year. Alongside Stevens is Sr. LB Brian Justice (26 tackles, 1 sack). The secondary is led by Sr. DB Dewey McDonald (33 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups) and Fr. DB Aaron Terry (9 tackles, 2 interceptions against Edinboro).

California’s punting game is second in the PSAC (behind only West Chester) on the leg of So. Andrew Cerett who was All-PSAC last year. Kicker Cody Nuzzo is 3 of 5 on field goals and perfect on 11 PAT attempts.

Analysis:

Going into the game, this will be the Golden Rams most difficult matchup of the season. The front line of California’s 3-3-5 defense doesn’t have a bulk of the statistics, but their job is to create lanes for blitzing linebackers and defensive backs. Against Kutztown, West Chester failed to get the passing game going to open up the running game. Against California, it will likely need to get the running game started to open up the passing game. Good QB reads, screens, draws and misdirection will be required to neutralize the aggressive Vulcan defense.

The West Chester defense will be tested as well. Unlike Kutztown’s short passing game (although the Golden Bears did have some downfield success as well), California’s speedy Johnson and big Scott pose matchup problems. And of course there’s their best offensive player in receiver Williams. Cal has only yielded three sacks this season, but has tossed seven interceptions. After last week’s game, it’s unknown where their quarterback situation stands, but West Chester will have to have a stellar performance from their secondary.

Notes:
In recognition of Community Day, kids 12 and under get a free game ticket with the purchase of one adult ticket. Then after the game, kids are encouraged to go onto the field and catch a pass from a current player.

After the game, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, there will be a benefit for former Golden Ram football captain Brian McDermott at Kildare's in West Chester. Tickets are $35 and are available at the door. All proceeds go directly to help defray medical costs McDermott incurred from an automobile accident this past May.