Game Preview - Lenoir-Rhyne

The #23 Golden Rams open the 2015 season Thursday evening when they host the #10 Lenoir-Rhyne Bears, the pre-season favorite to win the South Atlantic Conference. The game will be a rematch of the 2013 national semi-finals that was played in Hickory, NC and won by the hosts by a score of 42-14. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm and the game will be televised live on ESPN3 and The Comcast Network.

Series History:
West Chester holds a 2-1 lead in the series with the Bears. The Golden Rams' two wins came as part of a home-and-home series in 1969 and 1970, while the Bears won the playoff game in 2013.

Last Meeting:

12/14/2013 Lenoir-Rhyne 42 - West Chester 14

In a freezing cold, drenching rain that left the field of Helen and Leonard Moretz Stadium several inches deep in mud, the Bears advanced to the Division II National Championship by a score of 42-14. The Bears officially did not attempt a pass in the game - their one incomplete attempt was negated by a West Chester penalty - and rolled up 451 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, the Golden Ram offense managed only 213 yards of total offense and had just three significant plays: a Brandon Monk 75-yard kickoff return which set up a nine-yard touchdown catch by Tim Brown to open the game, and a 60-yard catch and run by Rondell White. Brown finished with two catches for 30 yards and Adam Dempsey had three catches for 19 yards. Defensively, Brandon Pepper had six tackles, five of which were solo, and Drew Formica had four solo stops.

Scouting the Opponent:

Last season, Lenoir-Rhyne won the SAC and finished the regular season 11-0, capturing the top seed in Super Region Two. Head Coach Ian Shields was named SAC Coach of the Year. However, like the Golden Rams, they fell in the second round of the Division II playoffs. The Bears set an NCAA Division II record with 416 yards rushing per game last season. Of the nine players that were named First Team All-SAC, only right tackle Joe Ray returns, however the 6'1" 270lb Ray was a unanimous All-American. Statistically, their top returning offensive players are Michael Patrick (788 yards, 9 TD's) and Victor Brannan (21 catches, 421 yards, 3 TD's).

Among Lenoir-Rhyne's 16 returning starters, three were named Second Team All-SAC on defense. Free safety Marcus Kincaid (77 total tackles, 1 interception), linebacker Rodney Singleton (63 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended), and nose guard Chris Green (44 total tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 5 QB hurries) are expected to lead the way. Michael Destephens averaged 39.8 yards on 34 punts and landed 12 inside the 20 which earned him second team all-league honors. Overall the Bears are looking to replace seven All-Super Region Two players, including placekicker Justin Powell.

Analysis:

It would be hard to believe that Lenoir-Rhyne won't throw one single pass like the 2013 game, however, their spread option offense is still very much run oriented. Can West Chester trust their corners to play one-on-one so that maximum attention can be placed on the Bears' running game? Hopefully, or it could be a long day on defense. Offensively, we'll finally get to see if this team can move the ball down the field in a consistent fashion and put points on the scoreboard. While it's "only one game", this first game will set the tone for the remainder of the season. Does it get any better than Thursday night on television? It does if it's a Golden Ram win.

Atomic Football is predicting a 27-25 Lenoir-Rhyne victory in what they are expecting to be the most difficult game of the year for both teams. As one of Hero Sports' five featured games for this weekend, they are predicting a six-point win for the Bears.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   ESPN3  

West Chester Athletic Site - Football Opens Thursday Night On ESPN3 And Regional Television

PSAC Site - Football - Week 1 Notes

Lenoir-Rhyne Athletic Site - No. 10 Lenoir-Rhyne Football Opens Season On Thursday Against West Chester On ESPN3

HERO Sports - D2 Football “Featured Five” Games to Watch

KYW Newsradio - College Football Preview: West Chester Golden Rams

Hickory Record - Lenoir-Rhyne favored to repeat as conference football champion

Hickory Record - Shields likes what he sees with this season's Bears

Hickory Record - Bears ready to pursue another conference title

Daily Local News- Brown ruled inelligble; Derr not on roster for WCU

Daily Local News- Young but talented West Chester ready despite losses

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week One Preview

D2football - National Columnist - Bob Eblen - National Columnist