Game Preview - Shippensburg

It's homecoming for the #10 Golden Rams (6-0, 5-0) when they host Shippensburg (3-3, 2-3) on Saturday at 2:00 pm in Farrell Stadium.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 24-10-1. In his 11 years at West Chester, Bill Zwaan is 9-3 against the Raiders. In the final regular season game of the 2004 season, Shippensburg knocked off the Golden Rams at Farrell Stadium in overtime. But two weeks later in the second round of the NCAA playoffs, West Chester avenged that loss in Shippensburg. West Chester took the next four contests during the Golden Rams' run of qualifying for the NCAA playoffs from 2005-2008. Shippensburg won in 2009 and went on to win the PSAC championship that season.

In one of the most memorable games in West Chester football history, current Golden Ram quarterback Sean McCartney made his first collegiate start and threw for 444 yards and five touchdowns to lead West Chester to a 44-43 victory in two overtimes in a nationally televised Thursday night game in 2010. The following year, West Chester laid a 52-17 loss on the Raiders, but Shippensburg returned the favor in 2012, beating West Chester 42-24 on homecoming at Farrell Stadium and continued on the PSAC championship game and the NCAA playoffs that year. Last year was the Golden Rams' turn again as they won a thrilling contest and advanced to the NCAA Division II semi-finals.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2004	Away	Win	33-28	2009	Away	Loss	24-19
2005	Away	Win	24-16	2010	Home	Win	44-43 2OT
2006	Home	Win	24-0	2011	Away	Win	52-17
2007	Away	Win	34-29	2012	Home	Loss	42-24
2008	Home	Win	25-7	2013	Away	Win	32-29

Last Meeting:

10/26/2013 West Chester 32 - Shippensburg 29

Fans have experienced some great games between these two teams in recent years, and last year was no exception. Leading the fourth quarter comeback was quarterback Andrew Derr who tossed a touchdown pass to Adam Dempsey and then Shannon Mayer threw the game-tying two-point conversion to Jared Bonacquisti with seven minutes left. After each team had a turnover and a missed field goal, Shawn Leo kicked the game winning 26-yard field goal into a stiff wind with one second left. Ronell Williams had ten tackles and Brandon Pepper had seven tackles and an interception which he returned 34 yards.

Scouting the Opponent:

Shippensburg puts up a lot of points, but they also give up a lot of points. Their lowest offensive output of the season was 30 points and that was in a loss to undefeated Bloomsburg. The offense is more balanced than it has been in recent years as running back Blair Brooks is averaging 100 yards per game and rushed for 155 yards in last year's game against West Chester. Quarterback Chris Lawshe has great passing numbers due in large part to All-American wide receiver Trevor Harman who holds the PSAC record for career receptions. And Harman has gashed West Chester in his previous three meetings: 18 catches, 274 yards and 6 touchdowns. But also key is speedy 5'7" wide receiver Sheldon Mayer, brother of Golden Ram receiver Shannon Mayer. Mayer, Sheldon that is, also returns punts for the Raiders and was All-PSAC East as both a receiver and return specialist. Tight end Alex Kuljian was All-PSAC East last season, but hasn't significantly factored into the offensive statistics in 2014. Michael Lloyd handles the punting duties better than the place kicking tasks.

All-PSAC East linebacker Brian Sourber is the Raiders' leader on defense. He is among Shippensburg's leading tacklers and already has a pick six and a blocked kick this season. Fellow linebacker James Brennan leads the Raiders in tackles. Cornerback Phil Boyd was All-PSAC East last season, but was injured during the California game and has not returned. Defensive end Sean Sadosky is the most likely to get into the Golden Ram backfield.

Analysis:

These two teams have faced each other on homecoming each of the past two years with the visiting team winning each time. Saturday is West Chester's homecoming. And don't be fooled by the three losses on the Raiders' record as they've faced much competition losing to California, Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg.

The Shippensburg pass defense is last in the conference. And although they've faced some of the most pass-oriented offenses in the conference in East Stroudsburg, California, Seton Hill and Edinboro, even Bloomsburg doubled their season passing average with over 250 yards in their win over the Raiders. The Golden Ram defense will be tested, however, and must do so honestly. The Raiders are among the PSAC's best in both rushing yards and passing yards as well as points. If the West Chester D can figure out how to stop Lawshe, Harman, Mayer and Brooks, it will go a long way to success. But that's a tall order.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video ($6)

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Announces Preparations For Homecoming Events

PSAC Site - Football - Week 7 Notes

Shippensburg Athletic Site - Red Raiders Head to No. 10 West Chester on Saturday For Pivotal PSAC East Matchup

KYW Newsradio - West Chester Hosts Shippensburg In Saturday PSAC Match-Up

The Sentinel - Shippensburg's Lawshe having impressive first full-time season

Times Herald - Norristown product Sheldon Mayer coming up big for Shippensburg

Daily Local News - WCU gets into meat of schedule

D2football - PSAC Columnist - Week 7 PSAC Preview