Golden Ram Football Club: Game Preview

The Golden Rams (9-3) travel to Indiana (11-0) in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Division II playoffs. Kickoff at George P. Miller Stadium on Saturday is set for noon. The Crimson Hawks remain ranked #1 in the D2football.com poll and #3 in the AFCA poll. The winner of this game will play the winner of the Findlay at Assumption in the Super Region 1 finals next Saturday.

Series History:
Indiana leads the overall series 13-7. The teams faced each other twice in 1987 with both games being played at Farrell Stadium. West Chester won the season opener by a convincing 31-7 score, but in the PSAC championship game, Indiana won in an equally convincing manner, 21-9.

Head coach Bill Zwaan endeared himself to Golden Ram fans when he broke West Chester's five-game losing streak to Indiana and led West Chester to a 30-20 win in his first game against them in 2005. However, he then lost three straight to the Crimson Hawks, including a 45-35 home loss in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. In a game that vaulted West Chester into the the 2014 playoffs, the Golden Rams won at Indiana in their last meeting.

Indiana is currently under the direction of long-time assistant and first-year head coach Paul Tortorella who took over the position after Curt Cignetti left for Elon University. Tortorella has spent 22 years at Indiana with most of those coming as defensive coordinator and had the interim title removed from his head coach title after the regular season.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
1993	Home	Loss	37-26	2007	Home	Loss	45-35
1995	Away	Loss	50-7	2010	Away	Loss	27-10
1998	Home	Loss	19-10	2011	Home	Loss	34-7
1999	Away	Loss	12-9	2014	Away	Win	28-17
2005	Home	Win	30-20	2017	Home	Loss	24-7

Last Meeting:

11/11/2017 Indiana 24 - West Chester 7

The Crimson Hawks captured all aspects of the game in securing the PSAC Championship. The Golden Rams offense was held to just 30 yards rushing and 1 of 10 on third down conversions and threw four interceptions in the game. Meanwhile, Indiana scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and three of their first four times touching the ball while controlling the clock for 34 minutes of the game.

Tight end Dan Neuhaus had three catches for 62 yards and West Chester's only score. Linebacker Tyler Morrissey racked up 20 tackles in the game, defensive end Diquan Gilbert registered a sack and defensive back Corey Kelley prevented another Indiana touchdown by picking off a pass in the end zone.

Scouting the Opponent:

Temple transfer and All-PSAC West quarterback Lenny Williams (180 of 266, 2,366 yards, 26 TD's, 6 ints) leads the PSAC in passer efficiency and paces the offense. Receivers Allen Wright (61 catches, 607 yards, 3 TD's), Dom McNeil (28 catches, 546 yards, 4 TD's), JoJo Gause (20 catches, 249 yards, 4 TD's), and Chris Wuestner (20 catches, 223 yards, 5 TD's) give Williams a variety of targets. All-PSAC West running back Samir Bullock (171 carries, 1,044 yards, 11 TD's) and PSAC West Freshman of the Year Justice Evans (119 carries, 669 yards, 6 TD's) manage the ground game. The offensive line has All-PSAC West performers in tackle Jerron Searles, guard Collin McAllister, center Jeff Arnold, and tight end Rex Pearce.

Defensive ends Deandre Easterling (28 tackles, 7.5 sacks) and Dondrea Tillman (39 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and tackle Jemal Averette (38 tackles, 7.0 TFL) were All-PSAC West this season. Joining them on the all-league team are linebackers Damon Lloyd (82 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 int) and Nick Amendola (81 tackles, 2.5 TFL).

Strong safety and Notre Dame transfer Max Redfield (69 tackles, 4 int) was All-PSAC West as was cornerback JR Stevens (38 tackles, 7 int) and free safety Takhi Turner (61 tackles, 2 int).

Kicker Dillon Sarka (11 of 15 FG, 47 of 53 PAT) was All-PSAC West while the punter is East Stroudsburg transfer Nico Ruiz (37.8 avg, 11 I20, 3 50+). McNeil is the primary kick returner while Mike Pietropola returns punts.

Analysis:

There's no doubt that Indiana dominated the match-up in West Chester just two weeks ago, but the Golden Rams looked like a different team in their first round game at Shippensburg. If the same Golden Ram team that handled the Raiders last week shows up in Indiana, it could be a very interesting ball game.

Massey Ratings is predicting a 31-19 Crimson Hawk victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats Audio Video

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Battles No. 3/1 IUP In Second Round Saturday

PSAC Site - West Chester, IUP to Meet in Second Round of NCAA DII Football Championship

Indiana Athletic Site - The Paul Tortorella Show for November 13

Indiana Athletic Site - Top seed IUP Football hosts West Chester in second round of NCAA playoffs

Indiana Athletic Site - IUP pregame party set for Saturday’s NCAA playoff matchup with West Chester

KYW Newsradio - WCU Gets Rematch With #1 IUP In NCAA Second Round

Indiana Gazette - IUP looks to make run despite tough playoff scene

Indiana Gazette - IUP FOOTBALL: Defensive ends are young, but dangerous

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - After historic season, playoff test awaits IUP football

Indiana Gazette - How well Crimson Hawks focus will determine their fate

Indiana Gazette - Balanced Crimson Hawks complement themselves on offense, defense