Game Preview - East Stroudsburg

West Chester University celebrates Homecoming and Family Day when the Golden Rams (3-1, 1-0) host the East Stroudsburg Warriors (3-1, 1-0). Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 2:00pm.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 64-24. 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 topped 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. West Chester won nine in a row against the Warriors from 2013 to 2022, including WCU's homecoming in 2017 and 2019.

Former Warrior quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger (30-23) enters his sixth full season as head coach at his alma mater and guided his team to the NCAA Division II playoffs in each of the past two seasons, losing in the first round both times to PSAC West opponents.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
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
2018	Away	Win	52-24	2024	Away	Loss	45-31

Last Meeting:

10/19/2024 East Stroudsburg 45 - West Chester 31

In front of nearly 5,000 fans on East Stroudsburg's homecoming, the Warriors scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions to take an 11-point lead into halftime. The Golden Rams battled back to knot the score at 31 after three quarters. But the West Chester offense gained only three yards in the entire final stanza while East Stroudsburg scored two touchdowns to seal the 45-31 victory.

Quarterback Cooper Jordan was 15 of 22 for 204 yards, 2 TD's, 1 int and rushed for 82 yards on 11 carries. Linebacker Connor Noble led the defense with ten tackles.

Scouting the Opponent:

This season the East Stroudsburg offense hasn't been as prolific as it has usually been. Quarterback Sean McTaggart (46 of 67, 633 yards, 4 TD's, 4 int's) threw for 2,500 yards and 26 TD's last year, but is only on pace for half those totals this season. He's also the leading rusher (30 carries, 176 yards, 3 TD's) for the Warriors. Running back Deante Crawford (30 carries, 125 yards, 3 TD's) and Ajani Walker (24 carries, 119 yards, 2 TD's) get the ball when McTaggert does hand off. Primary receivers in the offense are Jaylen Andrews (14 catches, 229 yards, 2 TD's), Randy Fizer (10 catches, 138 yards) and tight end Beau Heyser (8 catches, 160 yards, 1 TD), but a dozen different players have caught passes for East Stroudsburg.

On special teams, kicker Ty Quintois has only missed one PAT, but has only made 2 of 4 field goals with a long of 37 yards. Punter Adam Noll has boomed four of his nine kicks over 50 yards and averages 47 yards per punt which leads the PSAC. Kick returner Elijah Carroll had a 95-yard kickoff return for touchdown last week at Lock Haven and Cade Christopher is one of the best punt returners in the conference.

Linebackers Mason Smith (26 tackles) and Khalil Scott (24 tackles) lead the Warrior defense in tackles, but the strength is up front. Ashton Blose (21 tackles, 5.0 sacks), Jake Williamson (14 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and Vincent Isom (9 tackles, 2.5 sacks) account for over half of the team's 16 sacks. Safety Everette Dingle (25 tackles, 1 int) patrols the secondary.

Analysis:

The East Stroudsburg offense hasn't amassed a lot of yardage, but they still put points on the scoreboard. While West Chester's defense is one of the best in the PSAC, they'll need to simultaneously spy McTaggert as well as cover every player on offense since the Warriors spread the ball around. The Golden Ram offense needs to exhibit the run/pass balance that they showed last week and get the running backs involved to save quarterback Jordan for the weapon he can be.

East Stroudsburg is a highly penalized team, so the Golden Rams need to keep their composure and not get baited into costly penalties. The game is likely to come down to the line of scrimmage. The Warriors have allowed a PSAC-low three sacks so far this season while their defense has gotten to the opposing quarterback 16 times. However, East Stroudsburg's four opponents are a combined 3-14, so they haven't really been tested.

Massey Ratings is expecting West Chester to win 26-25 and Versus Sports simulates a much more convincing 30-15 Golden Ram victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Video   Game Program

West Chester Athletic Site - Homecoming / Family Weekend Brings East Stroudsburg to Town Saturday

PSAC Site - 2025 PSAC Football Week 5 Notes

East Stroudsburg Athletic Site - Tune in Tonight for the ESU Coaches Show, Featuring Women's Lacrosse and Football

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Five Preview