Game Preview - East Stroudsburg

In a battle for second place in the PSAC East, the Golden Rams (2-4, 2-1) travel to East Stroudsburg (4-2, 2-1) to take on the Warriors on their homecoming this Saturday at 6:00pm.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 64-23. In 2004, the Golden Rams blocked a PAT in overtime, then scored a touchdown and won the game on Dan Wilbourne’s converted PAT to hand then #7 East Stroudsburg their first loss of the season in front of a homecoming crowd of almost 6,000. The two schools met again that season on a frigid and blustery November afternoon in the NCAA regional finals. With a crowd of over 7,200 on hand, current West Chester running backs coach Osagie Osunde ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Rams handed East Stroudsburg their second and final loss of the season.

The following year, West Chester tipped the #6 ranked Warriors, 18-17, in muddy Farrell Stadium. 2005 was the last season that Farrell Stadium had natural grass. In 2009, East Stroudsburg ruined West Chester’s homecoming 21-20. The Golden Rams failed to convert a PAT early in the game and a 35-yard field goal late in the game.

Former Warrior quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger (30-23) enters his fifth full season as head coach at his alma mater and guided his team to the NCAA Division II playoffs last season for the first time since 2009.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2013	Home	Win	34-20	2018	Away	Win	52-24
2014	Away	Win	35-24	2019	Home	Win	28-21
2015	Home	Win	41-27	2021	Home	Win	42-28
2016	Away	Win	41-14	2022	Away	Win	24-21
2017	Home	Win	31-26	2023	Home	Loss	28-14

Last Meeting:

10/14/2023 East Stroudsburg 28 - West Chester 14

Despite an anemic offensive effort, the Golden Rams had two possessions in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie the game. However it was the Warriors that scored in the fourth quarter to leave West Chester with a 28-14 win.

West Chester's two scores came on long drives with the first ending on a 15-yard Cooper Jordan to Rahiem Bowens touchdown pass and the second ending on a 1-yard Ethan Kohler run. But besides those two scoring drives, the Golden Rams totaled only 23 yards of offense. D'Shaun Seals had three catches for 37 yards and Bowens made two catches for 22 yards.

Defensively, Connor Noble had a game-high 11 tackles. Nate Desmond had a sack on the opening drive while Charley Mininger and Daniel Hicks split another sack. Sean Henry made both his PAT attempts, averaged 58 yards on three kickoffs, and boomed two of his six punts for over 50 yards.

Scouting the Opponent:

The Warriors lead the PSAC in rushing, primarily behind running backs Tyriq Lewis (71 carries, 465 yards, 5 TD's) and Tahir Mills (79 carries, 420 yards, 2 TD's) who are both among the top ten in the conference. Quarterback Sean McTaggart (37 carries, 165 yards, 3 TD's; 81 of 131, 1,136 yards, 12 TD's, 2 int) also adds to the running threat, while ranking second in the PSAC in passing efficiency, and has only been sacked five times through the first six games. They get protection up front from All-PSAC East center Raymond Christas and 6'8 410lb right tackle Guy Gilyard. Any player that dons the red and black is likely to make a catch for East Stroudsburg as 16 different players have at least one reception and six different players have at least 100 yards receiving so far this season. Top targets are wide receiver Justin Cook (14 catches, 190 yards, 2 TD's), All-PSAC East and 6'3 wide receiver John Siggins (12 catches, 186 yards, 2 TD's), Wagner transfer Randy Fizer (9 catches, 165 yards, 2 TD's) and receiver Evan Roche (8 catches, 159 yards, 2 TD's).

East Stroudsburg has the second best pass defense in the PSAC. Strong safety and reigning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week Everette Dingle (30 tackles, 3 int, 1 PBU) and cornerback Adewale Obayanju (11 tackles, 2 int, 3 PBU) are among the conference leaders in interceptions. Up front, redshirt freshman Terrell Reynolds (12 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and defensive tackle Lucas Skelley (20 tackles, 1.5 sacks) cause havoc. Linebackers Raymond Simmons IV (43 tackles, 3.0 TFL) and Matthew Davis (35 tackles) lead the team in tackles.

Place kicker Ty Quintois (8 of 10 FG, long 41, 24 of 25 PAT) also handles kickoffs (37 kickoffs, 10 TB, 1 OOB). Punter Adam Noll (37 yard avg) has punted a league low 14 times this season. In the return game, Cook was All-PSAC East last season and was named PSAC East Special Teams Athlete of the Week after scoring on a 99-yard kickoff return against Millersville.

Analysis:

The East Stroudsburg offense leads the PSAC in scoring (33.0 points/game) and is second in yardage (400.7 yards/game), while their defense is second in scoring (11.5 points/game) and third in yardage (254.7 yards/game). So the Warriors are very good and very balanced on both sides of the ball. Add the intangibles of the game being played in East Stroudsburg, in the evening, and on homecoming and it's going to be a very tall task for the Golden Rams to come home with a W.

Massey Ratings is expecting East Stroudsburg to win 31-20 and Versus Sports simulates a much more convincing 35-13 Warrior victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video  

West Chester Athletic Site - Golden Rams Gridiron Crew Hits the Road Saturday at ESU

PSAC Site - 2024 PSAC Football Week 7 Notes

East Stroudsburg Athletic Site - Preview: ESU vs. West Chester (Homecoming)

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Seven Preview