Team News - Spring Practice 2015

• With Sean McCartney completing his eligibility this past fall and Andrew Derr suspended due to a recent incident, there's a sudden dearth at quarterback. Although James Rusenko is a senior, he's seen limited action in his West Chester career, due to injury and McCartney, and was observed only stretching and running on Saturday. The most experienced signal caller in camp is red-shirt sophomore Alec Werner who was 176-300 for 1,804 yards, 13 TD's and 13 interceptions as a true freshman two years ago at Kutztown and red-shirted last season at West Chester. There's one thing that Rusenko, Werner, red-shirt sophomore Pat Moriarty and red-shirt freshman Dave Fithian all have in common - none has yet to throw a pass in a game as a Golden Ram.
  
  
• The exact opposite problem exists at running back however. Rising senior and captain Brandon Monk was first team All-PSAC East and will no doubt be the top option. But Rhode Island transfer Eerin Young will join speedster Jarel Elder and red-shirt freshman Mike Class who was an All-State ball carrier in high school. Clearing some room in the backfield is Eddie Elliott who worked out with the receivers. Elliott was second team All-PSAC East last season, but was very effective in the slot making 26 catches for 328 yards. He's the second leading returning receiver behind tight end Tim Brown.
  
  

• Two years ago, it appeared that linebacker Justice Smith was coming to West Chester, but then decided to walk on as a Delaware Blue Hen. After red-shirting as a freshman and not seeing game action as a sophomore, Smith transferred to West Chester and is in spring camp with three seasons of eligibility expected.
  
  
• On Saturday it looked as if kicker Blaise Toroni packed on 60 pounds to his 5'7" frame, but then it was learned that his #49 was being worn by Stony Brook transfer Ben Solis. A high school teammate of current Golden Ram captain Andrew Cohen at Council Rock South, Solis was first team All-Southeastern PA as a punter and first team All-Suburban One National as both a punter and a kicker. At Stony Brook, Solis red-shirted his first season and only kicked off in one game over the past two seasons, apparently leaving him with two years of eligibility. Toroni will miss the 2015 season due to an injury.
  
  

Kicking practice was tricky in the gusty winds

The team has a scrimmage tentatively scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 am.