Game Preview - Bentley

The Golden Rams travel to Waltham, MA to open the 2021 season when they take on the Bentley Falcons on Friday evening. This will mark the fifth season in a row that these two teams have faced each other to open the season. Kickoff in Bentley University Football Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

Series History:
West Chester has won all four meetings in this series which started in 2016. The Golden Rams had dominating wins in 2017 and 2018, but needed late game heroics to win in both 2016 and 2019. Bentley head coach Bill Kavanaugh, the reigning Northeast-10 Coach of the Year, enters his seventh season at the helm with a record of 31-32. Meanwhile, Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan starts his 18th season at West Chester with an overall record of 144-62, including 11-3 against Northeast-10 opponents and 4-0 against Bentley.

Last Meeting:

09/07/2019 West Chester 14 - Bentley 7

Bentley dominated the line of scrimmage and therefore the time of possession, but West Chester managed to pull out the win. After trailing for almost three quarters of the game, the Golden Rams pulled even when Dan Neuhaus hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass. And it wasn't until there were just 23 seconds left in the game when Ja'Den McKenzie ripped off a 30-yard touchdown run to give West Chester the victory. McKenzie finished with 112 yards rushing while Neuhaus had three catches for 66 yards.

While West Chester's defense did not register a sack, they did have four quarterback hurries including two by Fulani Freeman. Safety Jordan Burney had 8 tackles including 2 tackles for loss, linebacker Jackson Taylor had 8 tackles and a pass breakup, and cornerback Sterlen Barr had 7 tackles and a pass breakup.

Scouting the Opponent:

Bentley finished 2019 with an overall record of 6-4, but their 6-2 conference record was good enough to win the Northeast 10 championship. The Falcons were picked to finish second in their conference this season.

Perkiomen Valley product Stephen Sturm was a first-team All-NE10 selection after 2019 and is in his final season for the Falcons, however he is still in search of his first touchdown pass against West Chester. In two and a half games against the Golden Rams (he entered midway through the contest in his freshman year), Sturm is 33 of 64, 51.6%, for 242 yards and two interceptions. He finished the 2019 season 186 of 299, 62.2%, for 2,221 yards, 14 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Sturm also averages 8 carries per game and netted 297 yards rushing in 2019. Academic All-American running back Andrew Brazicki (96 carries, 541 yards, 4 TD's) returns as a graduate student.

Right tackle Tim Leonard, a second-team All-NE10 performer in 2019, anchors the line which will be bolstered by Harvard transfer Gavin Olsen.

The Falcons' top returning receivers are Austin Ryan (36 catches, 423 yards, 3 TD's), Noah Neville (24 catches, 389 yards, 5 TD's), and NE-10 All-Rookie team member Tajon Vassar (12 catches, 110 yards).

On defense, cornerback Jailen Branch (49 tackles, 6 pass breakups) is Bentley's top returning tackler from 2019 when he earned third-team All-NE10 honors. Senior Manny Resto (51 tackles, 7 tackles for loss) will also patrol the secondary. Bentley added UMass transfer Cole McCubrey and Western Michigan transfer Roy McCree at linebacker.

Up front, first-team NE-10 defensive end Cedric Dashiell II (36 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles) will have to blocked as will his counterpart Steven Paulino (29 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble) who was on the Northeast-10 All-Rookie Team in 2018.

Analysis:

Who knows? While this will be the theme for the first half of the season, it is especially true in the opener. West Chester appears to have more experience and talent, but they have to play like it.

Massey Ratings projects a six-point West Chester victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video  

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Notes, Week 1

Bentley Athletic Site - After Missing 2020, Bentley Football Returns to Campus Sunday

Bentley Athletic Site - Parking Information for Visitors to Bentley Football Games

Bentley Athletic Site - Bentley Athletics Spectator Policy-Fall 2021

Bentley Athletic Site - Bentley Returns to the Gridiron Friday vs. West Chester

KYW Newsradio - College Football Preview: West Chester University Golden Rams Head Coach Bill Zwaan

Noontime Sports - Noontime’s New England D2 Top Five Poll

D2football - Northeast-10 Columnist - NE10 Week One Preview

Team News - 2021 Second Scrimmage Report

Here are some observations from Friday's action:

• The quaterback situation appears to be unresolved. Yes, that was the conclusion after the previous scrimmage, but things haven't changed. Shane Dooley was dressed and warmed up, but did not play. Once it became apparent that he was not going to particiapte, he removed his pads. Sophomore Yahmir Wilkerson started with the first unit, but Zach Gilbert got plenty of playing time with the first offense and Desman Johnson even got some reps there. None really dominated playing time and none really claimed the starting role. Each did some good things, and each did some not so good things. One of them will be listed as the starter on the depth chart for Friday's game, but it likely will not matter much. It's quite possible they will all play.
  
• What made the the quarterback situation more frustrating is that even when good throws were made, the receivers weren't helping. There were several passes that "had to be caught", but just weren't.
  
• Dom Carey was back at right guard.
  
• In general, the offense did execute much better than last week. Gilbert connected with Rasheem James who showed off his speed. Gilbert later connected with tight end Dan Neuhaus who made a quick move for a touchdown and Jalen Jackson also hauled in a touchdown.
  
• Senior running back Phil Poquie looked especially good. He turned a short pass into a long touchdown that was called back due to a penalty. But on the very next play, he showed great patience in finding the hole on a running play and later scored in the red zone. Expect him to continue his dual threat role.
  
• Add sophomore Seth Degree to the list of fast receivers. And diminutive D'Shaun Seals made another great leaping catch. Will the true freshman get on the field this season?
  
• The defensive line continued to exert a lot of pressure. Ends Zach Liggitt and Fulani Freeman both got to the quarterback multiple times.
• The secondary was certainly jumbled as safety Jordan Burney, cornerback Izaiah McPherson, and Shamar Edwards were not in the stadium and Trael Seegers did not dress. But Zach Demarchis had one of the two pick-sixes in the contest.
  

West Chester opens the 2021 season at 6:00pm on Friday at Bentley in Waltham, MA.

Team News - 2021 First Scrimmage Report

Here are some observations from Friday's action:

• The quaterback situation appears to be unresolved. Sophomore Yahmir Wilkerson was nowhere to be seen, so redshirt freshman Shane Dooley got the majority of the first team reps. But it didn't sound as if the coaching staff was pleased with his performance. Keep in mind, even with junior Zach Gilbert in the mix, West Chester's current quarterbacks have a combined ten collegiate pass attemps.
  
• The first offensive line did okay, not great, but okay. From left to right: Brendan Ruskowski, Nika Wright, Jacob Colby, Jonathan Miller, and Quinton Derr. Ruskowski was All-PSAC in 2019 and has received preseason accolades this year. The team captain has played in 22 games in his two years as a Golden Ram, including 18 starts. Derr and Wright saw plenty of playing time in 2019 while Colby and Miller played sparingly. It's yet to be seen where grad student Dom Carey will fit in.
  
• The defense has a lot of experience. Up front, seniors Omar Peterkin and Joe DeSanto will play their final seasons. DeSanto has had a particularly long road - he red-shirted in 2015, played in every game in 2016, missed half of 2017 and all of 2018 with an injury, played all 12 games in 2019, and missed 2020 due to the season being cancelled. Those two are joined by junior Wyatt Smith and sophomore Michael Gobora.
  
• The secondary has Jordan Burney back at safety. Sophomore Izaiah McPherson returns at one corner and sophomore IUP transfer Obi Anyatonwu at the other one. This leaves junior Sterlen Barr and sophomore Shamar Edwards to complete the five-man defensive backfield.
  
• Sophomore linebacker Jackson Taylor was the team's leading tackler in 2019 and returns with senior Cole Zapf.
  
• In general the offense struggled. Dooley had a long touchdown run, but it's hard to tell how much it had to do with a "no touch" scrimmage. He later connected with Isaiah Allen on a touchdown. Senior Phil Poquie also had a long touchdown run.
  
• The most entertaining element was when the third offense played. Redshirt freshman quarterback Desman Johnson, who's listed at 6-2, 240 but is probably bigger, was looking for freshman D'Shaun Seals, who's listed at 5-7, 155 but is probably smaller. After failing to connect on a couple of plays, the speedy Seals made a diving catch in the end zone. Johnson can throw a dart or with touch, and can do damage when he pulls the ball down and runs.
  
• Redshirt freshman Sean Henry appears to have landed the kicking job when he nailed a 47-yard field goal.
  

West Chester's final scrimmage of the summer is tentatively scheduled for Friday, August 27 at 6:30 pm.

The offensive line opens a gaping hole for Drew Price (Photo Gina Chapman)

Mari Wright gets wrapped up after a catch (Photo Gina Chapman)

Team News - Golden Rams Receiving Votes in AFCA Preseason Poll

West Chester is among teams receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II preseason poll. The Golden Rams return nine starters from 2019's playoff team that finished 9-3. Three of West Chester's 2021 opponents appear on the list with Shepherd at #15, Indiana at #17 and Kutztown at #20.

West Chester opens the 2021 season at Bentley, which is also receiving votes in the AFCA preseason poll, on September 3.

American Football Coaches Association - Division II Coaches’ Poll – August 16, 2021

Team News - 2021 Roster Changes

With the team due to report on Sunday, and after not having football in 2020, it's worth taking a look at the 2021 roster.

Returning:

Wide receiver Rasheem James is back. Although he hasn't played a game since September of 2018, when he incurred an injury against Shippensburg, the speed and expereince of the 2017 ECAC Offensive Rookie of the Year should provide some comfort for whomever assumes the quarterback position. All players that were listed as seniors on the 2020 roster have returned for this season with the exception of receiver turned defensive back Jalik Smith.

Departures:

The most notable departure from the roster is left tackle Pat Ferry. After being thrust into action during his true freshman season in 2017, Ferry started in seven games during his sophomore year. But he incurred an injury in the spring game after his sophomore year and missed the 2019 season. The perenial scholar-athlete graduated and is now a business analyst in the Bethlehem area. Other departures include running back Isaiah Bruce (40 carries, 111 yards, 2 TD's in 2019), receiver Ethan Harris (2 catches for 6 yards in 2019), and offensive linemen Jake Hendershot and Caden Alexander-Gray.

Additions:

All of the members of the 2021 recruiting class appear on the roster as do all but five of the 2020 class. The most notable omission from 2020 is Aiden Gair who is now playing basketball at Frank Phillips College in Texas which plays in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

Tight end Jalen Jackson transferred from PSAC East division foe Lock Haven prior to last year and remains on the roster. Jackson was a first team Super Region 1 selection and first team All-PSAC east selection after his sophomore season in 2018 and comes to West Chester with 108 catches for 1,437 yards and 12 touchdowns in his three-year career. West Chester fans might remember him tossing a 13-yard, fourth quarter touchdown pass in the Golden Rams' 56-14 win in Lock Haven in 2019.

Other incoming transfers are linebacker Joseph Jay Smith, Jr., defensive back Elijah Beard, defensive back Ronnie James.

Smith, a senior, comes to West Chester from the University of Texas at El Paso where he made 16 tackles in 11 games for the Miners in 2019. Prior to that, he played at Garden City Community College in Kansas. Smith was a first team Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and first team All-Morning Call defensive back at Bethlehem Catholic High School.

Beard, a sophomore, played in one game for Long Island University in 2019. Prior to that, he was a standout football and basketball player for Wayne Valley High School in Passaic County, NJ.

James was a first team All-Group II and a third team All-State two-way player at Glassboro where he registered 59 tackles on defense, and 1,241 rushing yards, 182 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns on offense in his senior season. James chose Rutgers over Ohio State and others, only to have his football career apparently end after his sophomore season in 2016 with just four tackles. It will be interesting to see how he can contribute to this year's Golden Ram squad.

Also joining West Chester from other schools are linebacker Preston Fausnaught from St. Francis, wide receiver Rahiem Bowens from Maine, defensive back Mahmud Dioubate from Temple, and wide receiver Collin Callahan from Valley Forge Military Academy.

Camp:

Daily practices are set to start Monday evening with intrasquad scrimmages tentatively scheduled for Friday August 20 and Friday August 27. West Chester will then open the season on Friday, September 3 at Bentley in Waltham, MA.

Player News - Sixteen Golden Rams Receive D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award

Sixteen West Chester Golden Ram players have received honors for their performance in the classroom for the 2020-21 academic year. Defensive end Michael Gobora, wide receiver Jahmair Rider, wide receiver Matt Moody, linebacker Cole Zapf, fullback Mason Griffiths, center Jacob Colby, wide receiver Mari Wright, defensive back Matt Checchia, linebacker Nick Chapman, offensive tackle Brendan Ruskowski, tight end Stone Huffman, offensive lineman Jonathan Miller, offensive lineman Logan O'Grady, defensive lineman Jake Hendershot, kicker Derek Krug, and student assistant Alexander Saionz were all named recipients of the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award.

In order to be recognized, each player must have completed a minimum of four semesters of college work, have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during the past academic year, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5.

Overall, 129 women and 55 men from West Chester University received recognition. The PSAC was the most represented conference in the country with 1,466 student-athletes honored.

National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics - D2 ADA Announces 2020-21 Academic Achievement Award Recipients

PSAC Site - DII Athletic Directors Announce Academic Achievement Award Recipients

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Lands Record 184 on D2 ADA Honor Roll

Team News - Golden Rams Picked To Finish Second

The West Chester University Golden Rams were picked to finish second in the division by the conference coaches at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference annual Football Media Day. West Chester, which finished the 2019 season in third place behind Kutztown and Shepherd, received one first place vote among the division's coaches.

Predicted order with first place votes in parentheses:

Eastern Division
1. Shepherd (6)
2. West Chester (1)
3. Kutztown (1)
4. Bloomsburg
5. Shippensburg
6. East Stroudsburg
7. Millersville
8. Lock Haven

PSAC Site - Shepherd tabbed as Preseason PSAC East favorite

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football Picked Second in PSAC Preseason Poll