Golden Ram Football Club: Teams News - 2015 Season Review

West Chester's defense ranked third in the conference and 36th in the country in yards allowed with just 332 per game. But good field position for their opponents meant 27 points per game which was sixth in the PSAC. As much as a team hopes to get everything figured out in summer camp, the defense was on its heels for the first three games, giving up 41, 37 and 38 points while the team went 1-2. They then played as expected against Millersville and Lock Haven and completely dominated Kutztown. The defense was key in significant wins over rivals Bloomsburg and East Stroudsburg, the latter clinching the division championship. But the season ended with Slippery Rock posting more points than any West Chester opponent in the last dozen year.

The balance of yards allowed per game - 159 rushing and 173 passing - is skewed due to Lenoir-Rhyne which completed one of their only two pass attempts for six yards. But even with that consideration, the passing defense was great as it allowed a league low 6.2 yards per attempt. The Golden Rams were fifth in the conference in both sacks with 31 and interceptions with 14.

Defensive Line

After those first three games, the biggest changes came on the defensive front four. Consensus All-American Andrew Cohen (57 total tackles, team leading 13.5 sacks, 20.0 tackles for loss, 10 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles) moved from tackle back to end. And that move made room for sophomore Josh Ganzelli (39 total tackles, 7.5 sacks) to become a starter and later earn first team All-PSAC East honors. Senior Barry Lyons (21 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss) started at the other tackle spot while sophomore George Shipp (30 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1 safety) started every game at the other end. Sophomore Kavon Johnson (30 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss) saw significant time at tackle while classmate John Dubyk (17 total tackles, 1 sack) backed up the end position.

Andrew Cohen with one of his 13.5 sacks this season (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Josh Ganzelli had 7.5 TFL's this year (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Barry Lyons makes short work of the Rock runner (Photo Ron Hockman)

George Shipp with one of his 2.5 sacks versus Bloomsburg (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Kavon Johnson envelopes the Bloomsburg QB (Photo Bert Garbutt)

John Dubyk registers a sack at Lock Haven (Photo Ron Hockman)

Linebackers

For the first time since 2010, the two inside linebackers weren't named Mike Labor and Ronell Williams. Those two are both among the top ten career tackle leaders in school history. So junior Ralph Reeves (team leading 65 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles) finally got his opportunity to play full time and earned second team All-PSAC East honors. Sophomore Kevin Duggan (51 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss) also started every game this past season. Seeing significant time at inside linebacker was Zack Hockman (20 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss) which is somewhat surprising since Hockman was a true freshman. Staring at shark was Brandon Pepper (20 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception) with redshirt freshman Nydair Rouse (18 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 pass breakups) also seeing significant time.

Ralph Reeves led the team in tackles (Photo Ron Hockman)

Kevin Duggan with a TFL on homecoming (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Zack Hockman played a lot as a true freshman (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Brandon Pepper adjusted to a new position this year (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Nydair Rouse had three picks this season (Photo Ron Hockman)

After playing 2014 as a true freshman, Sean Steinmetz redshirted this past season.

Secondary

One attribute that the entire secondary had in common was their height, or lack thereof. The tallest player, also the only senior, was Drew Formica (34 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception). Free safety Kevin Malone (28 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups) and cornerback Ted Patton (24 total tackles, 4 interceptions, 5 pass breakups) both earned first team All-PSAC East honors. Sophomore Shaquil James (35 total tackles, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups) was named second team All-PSAC East as well as ECAC Division II Defensive Rookie of the Year. Despite not being a starter, strong safety Pete Galiano (43 total tackles, 2 interceptions) was the top tackler among the group and free safety Kyle Keyser (32 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss) saw significant playing time. Redshirt freshman Corey Kelley (17 tackles, 4 pass breakups) backed up the corner positions.