Game Preview - Lock Haven

The Golden Rams (4-4, 2-3) take to the road for the final time in 2023 when they visit the Lock Haven Bald Eagles (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday. Kickoff in picturesque Hubert Jack Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 pm.

Series History:
West Chester holds a 27-6-1 lead in the series and current WCU head coach Bill Zwaan is undefeated in his previous 11 meetings against the Bald Eagles. Prior to the 2013 season, Lock Haven was in the PSAC West and replaced LIU Post in the PSAC East that year. Lock Haven head coach Dan Mulrooney is in his second season, after leading Anna Maria College to the NCAA Division III playoffs and being named Eastern Collegiate Football Conference Coach of the Year in 2021.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2009	Away	Win	43-0	2017	Away	Win	35-14
2013	Away	Win	34-13	2018	Home	Win	48-14
2014	Home	Win	41-6	2019	Away	Win	56-14
2015	Away	Win	33-9	2021	Away	Win	35-13
2016	Home	Win	37-7	2022	Home	Win	58-10

Last Meeting:

10/29/2022 West Chester 58 - Lock Haven 10

The Golden Ram offense took a little while to get started, as their first points were a Sean Henry 26-yard field goal three minutes into the second quarter. But West Chester would score touchdowns on six of their next seven possessions to open a 51-3 lead and roll to a 58-10 win.

It was the defense that led the way for the purple and gold, as the Bald Eagles mustered only 178 yards of offense and 75 of those yards came on Lock Haven's touchdown run late in the third quarter. Cornerbacks Sterlen Barr, Jr. and Obi Anyatonwu led West Chester with four tackles each.

Big plays paced the Golden Ram offense, as Cooper Jordan (7 of 8, 220 yards, 1 TD; 7 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD) and Ethan Kohler (5 of 8, 70 yards, 1 TD) both put up big numbers. On the receiving end were D'Shaun Seals (4 catches, 101 yards, 1TD) and Thatcher Miller (3 catches, 38 yards, 1 TD). And the offensive line paved the way for 176 yards rushing.

Scouting the Opponent:

Stony Brook transfer Danny Sanchez (102 of 187, 1,254 yards, 12 TD's, 7 int) is the starting quarterback, although he hasn't thrown a touchdown since September. After he got sacked hard late in the second quarter against Shepherd, backup Kyle Zajack (21 of 36, 185 yards, 4 int), a transfer from Central Connecticut State, finished that game and played the entire Bloomsburg game the following week. The Bald Eagles have four receivers with 200+ yards receiving: Millersville transfer T'iar Young (19 catches, 345 yards, 3 TD's), tight end Chris Hicks (25 catches, 241 yards, 2 TD's), Buffalo transfer Chandler Baker (22 catches, 233 yards, 2 TD's) and Stonehill transfer DeAaron Lawrence (22 catches, 231 yards, 1 TD). The running game is paced by Wagner transfer Chris Collier (172 carries, 894 yards, 9 TD's), who leads the PSAC in rushing and scoring, and Carson-Newman transfer Mister Hogue (41 carries, 166 yards).

Brett Zachman does all the kicking for Lock Haven. He has five touchbacks on 34 kickoffs, averages 37 yards on 31 punts, is perfect on 25 PAT's, and is four of six on field goals with a long of 36 yards. Baker returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against Shepherd.

Defensively, the Bald Eagles are led by their linebackers, including Penn State transfer Cody Romano (57 TKL, 10.5 TFL, 3 PBU), Monmouth transfer Jyair Thomas (30 TKL, 5 PBU), and Jaderian Johnson (39 TKL, 4.5 sacks). The line features Isiah Gonzalez (21 TKL, 5.5 TFL) and Justin Anderson (20 TKL, 7.5 TFL). Look for Darryl Pollard (26 TKL, 6 PBU) and Raymell Hester (38 TKL, 2 int) in the secondary.

Analysis:

Lock Haven didn't win a single game from 2008-2011 and hasn't won more than four games in a single season since 1982 when they finished 5-5. But with West Chester (4-4), Shippensburg (2-6) and Edinboro (2-6) on the Bald Eagles' remaining schedule, Coach Mulrooney sees the potential for their best season since 1979 when they captured the PSAC championship (by defeating Cheyney oddly enough).

West Chester and Lock Haven both won their non-conference game: West Chester defeated Bentley (4-3) while Lock Haven beat Post (1-6). They both split their PSAC crossover contests: West Chester lost to Slippery Rock (8-0) and defeated Gannon (4-4) while Lock Haven lost to Mercyhurst (2-6) and beat Clarion (2-6). A quick look at the records of each school's first three opponents shows that West Chester (16-3) faced a considerably tougher trio than Lock Haven did (5-18), however the Bald Eagles did defeat Millersville which is something the Golden Rams were unable to do.

Expect Lock Haven to run against West Chester's defense and the Golden Rams to throw against the Bald Eagles provided the WCU offensive line can offer sufficient protection. These two teams are very even statistically. Be concerned if the game comes down to turnovers where Lock Haven is +3 and West Chester is -7.

Versus Sports simulates a 30-24 Bald Eagle win while Massey Ratings predicts a 34-21 WCU victory. Either way, it's expected to be a high scoring affair.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video

Coach Zwaan Podcast - Inside the Huddle Week 8

PSAC Site - PSAC Week 9 Football Notes

Lock Haven Athletic Site - Lock Haven Football: Game Day & Parking Information

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Nine Preview