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Thursday, September 16, 2021

Game Preview - Edinboro

The Golden Rams (1-1) finally have their home opener of the 2021 season when they host the Edinboro Fighting Scots (0-1) on Saturday. Kickoff for the first game in John A. Farrell Stadium this season is scheduled for noon.

Series History:

West Chester narrowly leads the all time series 6-5 with the last meeting coming in 2017. Although these two teams play infrequently, Edinboro has a habit of spoiling significant events for the Golden Rams. In 2006 on the first game played on Farrell Stadium's new FieldTurf, the Fighting Scots prevailed 28-14. And then in the 2010 home opener, on Michael Horrocks Day, when the statue of the former Golden Ram quarterback and United Airlines pilot was unveiled, Edinboro tipped West Chester 16-14. This is Jake Nulph's first season as a head coach after serving as a defensive assistant at several schools, most recently IUP.

Their most famous recent football alumnus is Trevor Harris who is in his second season with the Edmonton Elks after winning the Grey Cup with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2016 and the Toronto Argonauts in 2012.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year
H/A
W/L
Score
Year
H/A
W/L
Score
1971
Home
Win
35-14
2006
Home
Loss
28-14
1986
Home
Win
37-9
2007
Away
Win
32-16
1987
Away
Win
49-28
2010
Home
Loss
16-14
2000
Home
Loss
13-6
2016
Away
Loss
54-51 2OT
2001
Away
Win
30-26
2017
Home
Win
62-28

Last Meeting:


9/16/2017 West Chester 62 - Edinboro 28

The Golden Rams raced out to a 34-0 lead and coasted to a 62-28 win in Farrell Stadium. West Chester scored on the ground, through the air, defensively and on special teams, and that was just in the first 20 minutes. Receiver Rasheem James had four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown and safety Jordan Burney and defensive tackle Omar Peterkin each had four tackles.

Scouting the Opponent:
The Fighting Scots return All-PSAC West offensive guard Ryan Pasternak and All-PSAC West kicker Vicente Arrigada. In 2019, Arrigada converted on 16 of 20 field goals and all 22 PAT's. Quarterback Tannor Watson transferred from Division I Florida International University prior to this season. Last week, he was 14 of 33 for 121 yards. He connected with eight different receivers, with Jake L'Heureux, Jon Long, and Thaddeus Standfield each hauling in three catches.

Defensively, cornerback Josh Boyd and linebacker Saige Ley each had eight tackles while defensive end Derian Smith had 2.0 sacks among his six tackles.

Analysis:
Edinboro was due to open the season at perennial power Grand Valley State, but the game was cancelled due to COVID issues within the Edinboro program. The Fighting Scots didn't pose much of a challenge to Shippensburg last week and shouldn't pose one to the Golden Rams this week either.

Massey Ratings favors the Golden Rams by eight.

Game Coverage:


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