Golden Ram Football Club: Game Preview

The West Chester Golden Rams open the season at home for the first time since 2019 when they host a familiar non-conference opponent in the Bentley Falcons. Kickoff on Friday evening is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

Series History:
West Chester has won four of the five 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, before dropping last year's game in Waltham, MA. After a long career as an assistant with several NFL franchises, Alvin Reynolds will be making his collegiate head coaching debut against West Chester. The Falcons were picked to finish third in the Northeast-10 Football Coaches’ Poll. Meanwhile, Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan starts his 20th season at West Chester with an overall record of 150-67, including 11-4 against Northeast-10 opponents and 4-1 against Bentley.

Last Meeting:

09/04/2021 Bentley 41 - West Chester 17

Bentley shot out to a 21-0 lead and West Chester didn't get into the end zone until the waning minutes of the fourth quarter after already trailing 41-3. Offensively, the Golden Ram passing game never got on track, turned the ball over twice, and surrendered three sacks. Meanwhile, Bentley threw for 300 yards, did not turn the ball over and did not allow a sack.

Ja'Den McKenzie (87 yards) and Phil Poquie (28 yards) paced the Golden Ram rushing attack. Nyeem Jones registered five tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss. Late in the contest, Michael Alexander scored a touchdown after returning a punt that was blocked by Zach Liggitt.

Scouting the Opponent:

Last year, after defeating West Chester, Bentley went 9-1 in the Northeast 10 conference and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs, finishing the season with a record of 9-2.

But this is a very different Falcon team. Gone is two-time All-NE10 quarterback Stephen Sturm who threw 239 of Bentley's 244 pass attempts last season. And over half of the team's rushing yards came from Andrew Brazicki (724 yards, 6 TD's) and Sturm (500 yards, 6 TD's). This year's options at quarterback include senior punter Charlie Ogletree (1 of 1 for 13 yards in 2021), Brett Pullman (0 of 2 in 2021), and Youngstown State transfer Mark Waid (69 of 122 for 600 yards and 3 TD's, 440 yards rushing in 1+ seasons for the Penguins).

But the offense does have some weapons returning. In the backfield are Nate Larkins (558 yards and 6 TD's rushing in 2021) and Anthony Doung (228 yards and 1 TD rushing in 2021). And whoever is at quarterback can target the team's top two receivers from last year in Noah Neville (32 catches, 555 yards, 6 TD's in 2021) and Tajon Vassar (26 catches, 242 yards, 3 TD's in 2021). Tackles Dom DePaoli and Gavin Olsen return on the line.

The experience and strength of this Bentley team lies on defense. Reigning NE10 Defensive Lineman of the Year Cedie Dashiell II (55 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles) has help up front from NE10 All-Rookie team member Herve Tshibamba (32 tackles, 2.5 sacks). Linebacker Salvatore Lupoli Jr. (90 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception) is the team's top returning tackler. The secondary is led by Mathieu Severance (35 tackles, 2 interceptions), cornerback Jailen Branch (31 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 1 interception), and free safety Aaron Racki (54 tackles, 1 forced fumble). Dashiell and Lupoli each forced a fumble against the Golden Rams last season.

Ogletree was an all-conference punter last season and Abel Lopes Jr. returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown in 2021.

Analysis:

Last year, West Chester faced a senior-laden, playoff-bound Bentley team and the Golden Rams weren't prepared for that test. This year, the Falcons have undergone a lot of changes, including at quarterback and head coach. However, the Golden Rams return only a handful of starters from last year's opener, so both squads appear to be fairly inexperienced. While West Chester returns the quarterback and running backs, there is youth on the offensive line and the receiving corps. The game will come down to who can get their act together quickly and minimize mistakes for a season opener.

Versus Sports simulates a 30-25 Golden Ram victory while Massey Ratings projects a similar 31-27 win.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats Audio Video

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Opens 100th Season of Football With Bentley Friday Night

West Chester Athletic Site - Football Lifts Lid On 2022 Campaign Friday Night Under the Lights At Farrell Stadium

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Notes, Week 1

Bentley Athletic Site - The Reynolds Era Starts Friday When Bentley Opens at West Chester

Bentley Athletic Site - Talented Quartet to Serve as Bentley Football Captains

Bentley Athletic Site - Bentley Football Returns to Campus Sunday for Preseason Camp

KYW Newsradio - The WCU Golden Rams bring a lot of talent to the 2022 season

Eagle-Tribune - After injury and COVID cost him two seasons, Lawrence's Howshan returns to the field for Bentley

Daily Local News- Promising prospects look to fill in for Golden Rams’ attack

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week One Preview

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC East 2022 Preview