Golden Ram Football Club: Game Preview

The Golden Rams open the 2017 season Thursday evening when they host the Bentley Falcons. The game will be a rematch of the 2016 season opener that was played in Waltham, MA and won by the visitors by a score of 31-24. Kickoff in John A. Farrell Stadium is set for 6:00 pm.

West Chester currently has the third longest winning streak in all of Division II. Only Texas A&M - Kingsville (7) and defending national champion Northwest Missouri St (15) have longer streaks than the Golden Rams' six.

Series History:
West Chester holds a 1-0 lead in the series with the Falcons with the Golden Rams winning the only meeting between these two schools last season.

Last Meeting:

09/03/2016 West Chester 31 - Bentley 24

The Golden Rams overcame a ten point, fourth quarter deficit and escaped their first trip to Massachusetts in over 25 years with a 31-24 win. West Chester had to overcome 78 yards in penalties and three interceptions which led to ten points for the Falcons. The Golden Ram defense ratcheted up the intensity and held Bentley to just two first downs in the final frame. Kicker Brendan Paulison tied the game at 24 midway through the fourth quarter with a 29-yard field goal. Two possessions later, defensive tackle Josh Ganzelli deflected a Bentley pass and Nydair Rouse hauled it in and returned it 35 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

Jarel Elder rushed for 102 yards. Although Tyler Karpinski only had one catch, it was an 11-yard touchdown from Pat Moriarty. Defensively, Shaquille James made seven tackles and was credited with three pass breakups. Besides the pick-six, Rouse notched five tackles including a seven-yard sack.

Scouting the Opponent:

After falling to West Chester in the season opener last year, Bentley went 5-5 in the Northeast 10 finishing in fifth place in their conference, which is the same place they were picked to finish this season by the league coaches.

Quarterback Mack Lowrie (83 of 165 for 901 yards, 8 TD's, 6 int's) split time under center last year. He redshirted at Boston College in 2013, and started the first six games of the 2014 season for Rhode Island before an injury essentially ended his season. He entered last year's game against West Chester in the second quarter and went 5 of 7 for 85 yards before leaving the game due to an injury incurred on a strip sack. Receiver Drew Mahoney (63 catches, 596 yards, 2 TD's; 19 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD) is a dual threat despite his 5'7 stature and racked up 146 all-purpose yards against the Golden Rams last season. Senior running back and captain Martin Bannerman Jr. (36 carries, 99 yards, 2 TD's) had an injury shortened season. Other targets for Lowrie are Michael Correia (14 catches, 251 yards, 4 TD's) and Brendan Burke (11 catches, 121 yards, 1 TD).

Sophomore cornerback Peter Thorbahn (61 tackles, 4 interceptions, 15 pass breakups) is the Falcons' only returning all-conference player as he was named to the NE-10 All-Rookie team. He's joined in the secondary by senior strong safety Junior Chery (28 tackles, 3 interceptions). Outside linebackers Joey Piatnik (38 tackles, 5 sacks) and Brandon Brown (66 tackles, 12 tackles for loss) are among the best in the Northeast-10. Senior defensive ends Dan Catalano (34 tackles, 7 tackles for loss) and Phil Rigoglioso (28 tackles, 7 tackles for loss) are part of the Falcon three-man front.

Sophomore kicker Grant Buchanan connected on only half of his 14 field goal attempts with a long of 37, but converted 29 of 30 PAT's. Bentley lost their all-conference punter to graduation, so Burke may double as the team's punter. Bentley will be breaking in new regular punt and kick return men.

Analysis:

West Chester should have a different approach to this year's opener since they're not burdened with some off-field distractions. Plus last year's game in Waltham was a sobering wake-up call. If the Golden Rams get solid play from the quarterback and offensive line, they should be able to put points on the board. Staying away from Thorbahn and Cherry would be wise. Bentley QB Lowrie is sure to test the inexperienced West Chester secondary and Mahoney, Correia and Burke had some success last season against the Golden Rams. Hopefully the defense can put some pressure on Lowrie to disrupt the Falcon passing game.

Atomic Football is predicting a two touchdown win for West Chester while Massey Ratings projects a three touchdown margin.