Series History:
Although the Golden Rams lead the series 5-1, three of West Chester's wins required late game heroics. The Golden Rams had dominating wins in 2017 and 2018, while the Falcons won handily in 2021 in Waltham, MA.
For the second consecutive season, Bentley will be breaking in a new head coach as Saj Thakkar has replaced Alvin Reynolds who went 7-3 last year. The Falcons were picked to finish third in the Northeast-10 Football Coaches’ Poll. Meanwhile, Golden Ram head coach Bill Zwaan starts his 21st season at West Chester with an overall record of 157-71, including 12-4 against Northeast-10 opponents and 5-1 against Bentley.
Last Meeting:
09/03/2022 West Chester 17 - Bentley 16
After a scoreless first quarter, the Golden Rams took a 14-0 lead into halftime on a pair of passing touchdowns. Unfortunately, the West Chester offense stayed in the locker room at halftime. Bentley scored on three consecutive possessions, including after two interceptions which gave the Falcons short fields and the West Chester defense little rest. Bentley carried a 16-14 lead into the final period. It wasn't until Sean Henry nailed a 34-yard field goal with under five minutes to play that West Chester regained the lead, 17-16. It was a bit of redemption for Henry who earlier in the contest missed field goals of 34 and 38 yards. But it wasn't until safety Kaleb Brown batted a pass away as time expired that Golden Ram fans could exhale.
Rahiem Bowens had three catches for 34 yards and D'Shaun Seals had two catches for 19 yards. The defense was led by Maurice Beverly who made his collegiate debut with nine tackles, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. Ayyub Dail and Nate Desmond each had four tackles while Sterlen Barr, Jr. and Obi Anyatonwu combined for four pass breakups.
Scouting the Opponent:
Mason Campbell was first team all Northeast-10 last season after converting on all 30 PAT's and 12 of 16 field goals with a long of 48 yards. Decias averaged almost 22 yards per kickoff return.
As is usual in recent years, the strength of this Bentley team lies on defense. Linebacker Salvatore Lupoli Jr. (102 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovered) is the team's top returning tackler for the second consecutive year and was first team all Northeast-10 after 2022. He's helped out in the middle by Christian Lanzalotto (54 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions). Former NE10 All-Rookie team member Herve Tshibamba (39 tackles, 1.5 sacks) continues to be a force up front. The secondary is led by cornerback Mathieu Severance (42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups) and safety Aaron Racki (30 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups).
Analysis:
Versus Sports simulates a 25-17 Falcon victory while Massey Ratings projects a similar 24-17 outcome.
Game Coverage:
West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Heads to Bentley For 2023 Lid-Lifter
PSAC Site - PSAC Week 1 Football Notes
Bentley Athletic Site - Falcons kickoff 2023 season by hosting West Chester
Bentley Athletic Site - Bentley Football Voted Third in Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Bentley Athletic Site - Thakkar & His Bentley Falcons Kick Off Preseason Camp Sunday
KYW Newsradio - West Chester University Golden Rams - College Football Preview
Boston Globe - Bentley names Saj Thakkar head football coach
Daily Local News- Despite loss of Taylor, WCU defense could be even better in 2023
Daily Local News- With dangerous QB, Rams’ offense looking to surprise foes
Daily Local News- Rams lose, then add, key players from transfer portal
D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week One Preview
D2football - Northeast-10 Columnist - NE10 - Week One Preview
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