Game Preview - Slippery Rock

The Golden Rams (1-0) travel to Slippery Rock (1-0) on Saturday for the first of two consecutive games against PSAC West foes. Kickoff at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium is scheduled for 6:00pm.

Series History:
The Rock narrowly leads the series between the two schools 9-8. Head coach Bill Zwaan is 3-3 against Slippery Rock while his counterpart Shawn Lutz is entering his second season as head coach there.

In the final game of the regular season in 2006, with both teams owning a 7-3 record and the winner destined for the NCAA playoffs, West Chester won by a score of 21-20 when the Rock's 48-yard field goal attempt drifted wide left in the pouring rain in Slippery Rock. In 2010 also in Slippery Rock, Shawn Leo kicked a field goal to put the Golden Rams up 27-24 with two and a half minutes left. But the Rock converted a 47-yard field goal of their own with 31 seconds left to send the game into overtime. The Rock quickly scored a touchdown in overtime, but Nick Garcia blocked the point after giving West Chester hope. Although the Golden Rams picked up a first down, they were unable to get into the end zone and fell 33-27. In the first round of the 2014 NCAA playoffs, West Chester trounced the visitors, but Slippery Rock repaid the Golden Rams in last season's PSAC Championship Game.

West Chester crushed the Rock in the first round of the 2014 NCAA playoffs at Farrell Stadium, but Slippery Rock returned the favor the following season in the PSAC Championship game.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
1973	Home	Loss	28-14	2010	Away	Loss	33-27 OT
1974	Away	Loss	20-7	2011	Home	Win	20-17
1996	Home	Win	31-21	2014	Home	Win	46-20
1997	Away	Loss	27-14	2015	Home	Loss	61-12
2006	Away	Win	21-20	2016	Home	Loss	36-28

Last Meeting:

09/10/2016 Slippery Rock 36 - West Chester 28

On a sweltering afternoon in West Chester, the Golden Rams dominated in first downs, total yards, and time of possession, but turnovers and penalties at crucial times left the purple and gold no closer than eight points in the second half. Tyler Karpinski (5 catches for 84 yards), Jordan Banks (5 catches for 65 yards and a TD) and Marcus Sydnor (3 catches for 45 yards) paced the offense as the Rock held West Chester to just 69 yards on the ground. Brendan Paulison had a good game, converting all four PAT's, kicking a touchback, and punting for an average of 36.6 yards and pinning two inside the Rock 20.

Defensive end Ch'aim Smith paced the defense with 11 tackles, 2.5 TFL's and a QB hurry. Kavon Johnson had six tackles and a forced fumble while Deionte Wilson had an interception to go along with two tackles.

Scouting the Opponent:

For the third consecutive season, the Rock will look for one year of service from an FCS transfer quarterback. In 2015 it was Dante Nania (Youngstown State), last year it was Don King III (Sam Houston State) and this season it's Tanner Garry (Youngstown State). Last week, Garry was 22 of 34 for 390 yards and 5 touchdowns and earned PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week.

Wide receiver Marcus Johnson was All-PSAC West last season and nabbed 12 catches for 231 yards and 3 touchdowns last week. Redshirt senior Milly Ray had 7 catches for 132 yards and a score last week. Also on the All-PSAC West list last season was running back Isiah Neely who had 54 yards rushing and a score last week and right tackle Steve Gaviglia anchors the offensive line.

Consensus All-American defensive end Marcus Martin holds the PSAC career sack record, wrestling the title away from former Golden Ram Andrew Cohen. However, Martin and free safety Kyle Hall are the only two starters that are returning for the Rock. Free safety Tavarus Sample (11 tackles), linebacker Tim Vernick (10 tackles) and Martin (10 tackles, 6 tackles for loss) were the Rock's top defensive performers in their game last Saturday. Sophomore kicker Jake Chapla was perfect on his six PAT attempts last week, but missed a 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half. Chapla also punted last week, although Josiah Davis, who was their regular punter last season, also booted one last week.

Analysis:

Similar to last season, this is certainly West Chester's most difficult game of the year. Last year, the Rock was very balanced on offense and despite Slippery Rock throwing for 400 yards last week, the Golden Rams need to stay honest defensively. West Chester has a lot of options on offense and needs to slow down Martin and prevent mistakes of turnovers and penalties. Massey Ratings is favoring the Rock by 3 while Atomic Football shows a margin of 1.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video

Note:

There will be a fan bus going to the Slippery Rock game. For more information and to register, click here

West Chester Athletic Site - Depth Chart - 9/9 vs Slippery Rock

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football Game At Slippery Rock To Air On SportsFever TV

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Notes Week - 2

Slippery Rock Athletic Site - Week 2 Preview: #24 West Chester at Rock

KYW Newsradio - West Chester Heads To Slippery Rock Saturday

D2football - National Columnist - Bob Eblen - National Columnist