Game Preview - Millersville

The Golden Rams (2-1) open PSAC East play when they travel to Millersville (1-2) on Saturday to take on the Marauders. Kickoff at Biemesderfer Stadium is scheduled for 4:00pm since the Millersville field hockey team is hosting IUP earlier in the day.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 70-17. Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan remains perfect against the Marauders in his 17 meeetings with Ville. J.C. Morgan (Bucknell '04) entered his fourth season as head coach of the Marauders with a 4-18 career record.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2010	Home	Win	45-14	2015	Away	Win	48-3
2011	Away	Win	49-13	2016	Home	Win	52-0
2012	Home	Win	56-14	2017	Away	Win	27-24
2013	Away	Win	48-3	2018	Home	Win	42-16
2014	Home	Win	62-7	2019	Away	Win	48-7

Last Meeting:

09/28/2019 West Chester 48 - Millersville 7

The Golden Rams dominated this game like they have every year over the past decade (except 2017). The defense held the Marauders to just seven yards rushing and forced five turnovers. Jackson Taylor (5 tackles, 1.5 TFL), Michael Gobora (5 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 forced fumble), Shamar Edwards (4 tackles), Sterlen Barr (4 tackles), and Omar Peterkin (1 tackle, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery) led the West Chester defense.

Much of the offensive production from that game returns this year: Yahmir Wilkerson (68 yards on 3 carries), Phil Poquie (31 yards) and Ja'Den McKenzie (26 yards, 2 TD's) were among nine players that had net positive yards rushing. Dan Neuhaus had two catches for 17 yards and a score.

Scouting the Opponent:

At quarterback, graduate transfer student (Shippensburg, El Camino College, Abilene Christian) Cole Klayman (18 of 26, 1435 yards) got the opening day start, but seems to have given way to redshirt freshman Jared Jenkins (16 of 27, 181 yards, 2 TD's, 2 int's). Jenkins is also the Marauders' leading rusher (29 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD), with K.J. Cartwright (17 carries, 57 yards) and Jaheim Morris (19 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD) filling out the backfield. Top targets in the passing game are receivers Mekhi Alexander (11 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD), Cliff Harris (7 catches, 63 yards), and Christan Drayton III (3 catches, 49 yards, 1 TD).

The defense is led by two senior All-PSAC East performers: linebacker Isaiah Onuschak (23 tackles, 2.5 TFL) and cornerback Tyler Patron-Penn (20 tackles, 3.5 TFL). Their top tackler is linebacker Rafael Lozada (37 tackles) and defensive tackle Tyler Tate (22 tackles, 3.5 sacks).

Punter Zach Banta (40.3 average, 4 fair catches, 6 inside the 20) has been busy, while Millersville has yet to attempt a field goal.

Analysis:

Two years ago, the Marauders had over 70 newcomers on their roster; this year the number is 69. The turnover makes it difficult to build any consistency within a program. After three games, Millersville ranks last in the PSAC in points, rushing, passing and total offense. This sounds appealing for a Golden Ram team that needs to improve on defense, especially in stopping the run. Hopefully this is the game where the WCU passing offense gets on track early, since once a lead is built, it will be running out the clock.

Massey Ratings is expecting a West Chester victory by a touchdown.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Notes, Week 4

Millersville Athletic Site - Millersville returns home to host West Chester in PSAC East opener