Player News - Jackson Taylor a Cliff Harris Award Nominee

Sophomore linebacker Jackson Taylor has been named a nominee for the Cliff Harris Award which is presented to the small college defensive player of the year. The award was created by the Little Rock Touchdown Club and is presented to the top defensive player among NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools as chosen by head coaches and a committee of college and professional football greats.

Taylor was named first team All-PSAC East, PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, and All-Super Region 1 by the Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association. He finished the season with 97 total tackles (7th in the PSAC) including 11.5 tackles for loss (12th in the PSAC). He also had interceptions at Shippensburg and Lock Haven and recovered a fumble at Shippensburg as well.

Jackson Taylor (Photo Gina Chapman)

Among the 139 nominees, 56 are from Division II, 55 are from Division III and 28 are from NAIA schools. Finalists will be announced in one week, with the Cliff Harris Award winner being announced on December 28. The trophy will be presented to the recipient at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet on January 14, 2022.

Other nominees from the PSAC are:

• DE Deshawn McCarthy - East Stroudsburg
  
• CB Jermal Martin Jr. - California
  

Cliff Harris Award - 2021 Cliff Harris Award Nominees

Player News - Gobora Earns Academic Honors

Sophomore defensive end Michael Gobora has been named to the 2021 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America® NCAA Division II Football Team.

Earlier this year, Gobora was named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football team, CoSIDA Academic All-District™ Football Team for Division II in Super Region 1, and received the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award as both a freshman and a sophomore. Gobora sports a 4.00 GPA in economics and finance. Among his 43 total tackles this season were 18.5 tackles for loss and ten sacks, both of which rank among the top five in the PSAC.

Michael Gobora Academic All-American (Photo Gina Chapman)

West Chester Athletics - Michael Gobora Named Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-America®

PSAC Site - PSAC has 21 Fall 2021 Academic-All Americans

College Sports Information Directors of America - 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-America® NCAA Division II Football Team Announced

Player News - Four Golden Rams Honored for Academics

Four West Chester Golden Ram players have received honors for their performance on the field and in the classroom this season. Graduate student left tackle Brendan Ruskowski (Accounting and Finance), graduate student center Jacob Colby (Criminal Justice), graduate student linebacker Cole Zapf (Criminal Justice), and sophomore defensive end Michael Gobora (Economics and Finance) were named to the 2021 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Team.

Ruskowski
Colby

Zapf
Gobora

The Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football team is voted on by the sports information directors of the 30 colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area. In order to be eligible for Academic All-Area honors, an athlete must be in at least his second year at the institution and hold a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better.

West Chester Athletics - Four Golden Rams Gridders Honored For Work in the Classroom

Ursinus Athletics - Psenicska Garners PhillySIDA Academic All-Area Honor

Alumni News - Lex Rosario Signs With Bismarck Bucks

Former Golden Ram wide receiver Lex Rosario has reportedly signed with the Bismarck Bucks of the Indoor Football League.

In his four seasons at West Chester from 2016-2019, Rosario made 121 catches for 1,603 yards and 10 touchdowns. The best game of his college career came in his final game in a first-round playoff loss to Notre Dame in 2019 where he hauled in 11 catches for 163 yards and a score. Rosario earned first team All-PSAC East honors in 2018 and led the Golden Rams in receptions and receiving yards in both 2018 and 2019.

The Bucks open the 2022 season on Sunday, March 13 at the Green Bay Blizzard.

🚨Signing Alert🚨

Bucks Fans, help us welcome Lex Rosario to Bismarck! He played collegiate football at West Chester University, where he appeared in every game & was a letter winner for 3 seasons. We have no doubt that he will dominate in the IFL as well. Welcome to the Bucks! pic.twitter.com/cNlubrVCBp

— Bismarck Bucks (@bismarckbucks) December 9, 2021

Player News - Jackson Taylor Named All-Region

Sophomore linebacker Jackson Taylor has been named to the Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association All-Super Region 1 second team. Taylor, the PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, was fifth in the PSAC in tackles with 98. Among his tackles were 10.5 tackles for loss. He also had interceptions at Shippensburg and Lock Haven and recovered a fumble at Shippensburg as well.

Jackson Taylor (Photo Gina Chapman)

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.

West Chester Athletic Site - Jackson Taylor Named to D2CCA All-Super Region 1 Second Team

2021 D2CCA All-Super Region 1 Football Teams

Player News - Colby, Gobora Earn Academic Honors

Graduate student offensive lineman Jacob Colby and sophomore defensive end Michael Gobora have been named to the 2021 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District™ Football Team for Division II in Super Region 1. CoSIDA Super Region 1 mimics the NCAA Super Region 1 which is comprised of the 45 schools from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, Northeast-10, Mountain East Conference, and the Great Midwest Athletic Association.

Colby centered the Golden Ram offensive line that ranked 17th in the country in rushing with 217 yards per game. He finished his undergraduate degree in criminal justice with a 3.74 grade point average and boasts a 4.00 GPA this far in his criminal justice graduate degree. Gobora sports a 4.00 GPA in economics and finance. Among his 43 total tackles this season were 18.5 tackles for loss and ten sacks, both of which rank among the top five in the PSAC.

Jake Colby
(Photo Gina Chapman)
Michael Gobora
(Photo Gina Chapman)

West Chester Athletic Site - Gobora and Colby Named To CoSIDA Academic All-District 2 Squad

College Sports Information Directors of America - Announcing 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District® Football & Volleyball Teams

Player News - Nine Golden Rams Named All-PSAC East

Nine West Chester Golden Rams were named to the 2021 PSAC East first and second teams. Five members of the offense and four players from the defense were recognized by the conference's coaches, while one player was also tabbed for special teams play. In addition, sophomore linebacker Jackson Taylor was named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year. It marks the fourth consecutive season that the honor has gone to a Golden Ram as it was won by Jarey Elder in 2019, and Tyler Morrisey in 2018 and 2017.

Named to the first team offense was sophomore running back Ja'Den McKenzie. McKenzie was also a first team choice and PSAC East Freshman of the Year in 2019. Named to the first team defense was linebacker Jackson Taylor, who is also making a repeat appearance on the first team list.

Named to the second team offense were redshirt freshman quarterback Shane Dooley, senior running back Phil Poquie, senior tackle Brendan Ruskowski, and sophomore wide receiver Seth Degree. Poquie is also a second team selection as a return specialist.

Named to the second team defense were senior tackle Omar Peterkin, sophomore defensive end Michael Gobora, and senior linebacker Cole Zapf. Ruskowski and Peterkin were both second team selections in 2019 as well.

PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Taylor (Photo Gina Chapman)

PSAC Football Site - Bagent, Taylor, Beach and Clements Garner Major Awards; PSAC East All-Conference Released

West Chester Athletic Site - Nine Golden Rams Selected To All-PSAC Football Squad; Taylor Defensive Player of the Year

Event News - November 18 Bill Zwaan Show

The Bill Zwaan Show will be held at Timothy's in the Parkway Shopping Center in West Chester on Thursday starting at 7:00pm. Golden Ram fans unable to attend the show can listen to it live on WCHE1520AM.COM.

According to the Bill Zwaan Show, the four captains - wide receiver Rasheem James, left tackle Brendan Ruskowski, tight end Dan Neuhaus, and defensive tackle Omar Peterkin - will be the special guests on Coach Zwaan's show.

James was the Golden Rams leading receiver this season with 40 catches for 603 yards and 4 touchdowns. Last week against Indiana, he hauled in six passes for a 115 yards which were season highs for him in both categories. Ruskowski provided senior leadership to an offensive line that led the conference in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Neuhaus made 22 catches for 482 yards and 5 scores this year. He came on strong down the stretch, making 16 catches for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns in the last four games. Peterkin was fifth on the team in total tackles with 40, including 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He's also credited with two pass breakups and he blocked a field goal attempt against Kutztown.

Come out to Timothy's at 7:00pm to participate in the show live. Or send your questions for coaches or the players to the Bill Zwaan Show.

Omar Peterkin, Rasheem James, Brendan Ruskowski and Dan Neuhaus
(Photo Gina Chapman)

Game Report - Indiana 31 - West Chester 24

The Golden Rams (6-5) snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in one of the most epic collapses in the past decade as West Chester fell to Indiana (7-3) by a score of 31-24.

Senior saefty Jordan Burney gives the pregame inspiration (Photo Gina Chapman)

West Chester took a 17-3 into the fourth quarter thanks in large part to a dominating first half performance by the Golden Rams. The WCU defense allowed just 35 passing yards in the first 30 minutes and limited the Crimson Hawks to only 7 first downs and 120 total yards. IUP certainly didn’t help themselves by committing ten first-half penalties for 103 yards. Indiana also attempted a fake punt from their own 27, but the ball was bobbled and the play ended when Trael Seegers tackled the IUP punter at their own 20.

Meanwhile, the West Chester offense was playing well enough. When quarterback Shane Dooley wasn’t being sacked or running for his life, he managed to complete seven passes for 162 yards. And despite IUP having one of the best rushing defenses in the PSAC, Ja'Den McKenzie ran for 81 yards and two scores, including a 47-yard run where he first used his power to break several tackles at the line of scrimmage, and then used his speed to blow by the Crimson Hawk secondary. So a 17-3 WCU lead, but 15 minutes of football left to play. Could it be that bad? Yes.

Quarterback Shane Dooley was sacked 8 times (Photo Gina Chapman)

It started with the nemesis of the Golden Ram defense – surrendering the big play. IUP opened the fourth quarter with a 74-yard catch and run pass play for a touchdown. But West Chester answered with a 75-yard drive spearheaded by McKenzie’s running and Dooley connecting with Rasheem James for 33 yards and tight end Dan Neuhaus for 22 yards. And when McKenzie bowled his way into the end zone to return West Chester’s lead to 14 points, there was 8:35 left to play. And that’s when the collapse began.

Thanks in large part to the 74-yard touchdown pass, IUP’s previous touchdown drive only consumed 1:34 off the clock. This time, though, the Crimson Hawks picked their way down the field, navigating 75 yards in just 1:47, aided in part by a pass interference and a facemask penalty on the Golden Rams. With the score now 24-17 in favor of West Chester, the Golden Ram offense took three minutes off the clock, but managed just five yards. John George’s punt pinned IUP at their own 12-yard line with just 3:04 left to play.

Zach Liggitt and Zach Demarchis converge on a tackle (Photo Gina Chapman)

But IUP’s offense cut through the Golden Ram defense more swiftly than before, taking only five plays and 1:23 to score the tying touchdown. It was gut wrenching to surrender the lead, and with only 1:39 left in the game, it appeared the game was headed to overtime. And then the situation got even worse. Dooley was sacked and sacked again, but on the second one, he fumbled and IUP recovered at the West Chester 14-yard line. The Crimson Hawks milked most of the game clock and punched in the game-winning touchdown with just 14 seconds left. An indescribable loss.

It was a mixed game for Dooley. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 302 yards and picked up 62 yards rushing. But due to the heavy pressure all day, he threw an interception when trying to make a play, lost a fumble in the waning moments of the game, and was sacked eight times for 59 yards. Although he didn’t get into the end zone, James had his best game of the season, making six catches for 115 yards. And McKenzie had one of his best games this year: 23 carries for 112 yards and 3 touchdowns and a 24-yard catch.

Jake Colby and Dom Carey clear a path for Ja'Den McKenzie to score his third TD
(Photo Gina Chapman)

It’s amazing that in the fourth quarter, IUP scored 28 offensive points despite having the ball for less than five minutes. The Golden Ram defense didn’t register a turnover or a sack in the game. Actually they hardly got pressure on the IUP quarterback. While they made six tackles for loss, they accounted for a total of just 15 yards. Probably the most hideous part of the game was the penalties. IUP was flagged 12 times (although only twice in the second half) for 133 yards while West Chester surrendered 121 yards on 14 penalties, including an unsportsmanlike call on coach Bill Zwaan.

Notes – Safety Shamar Edwards and cornerback Kendall Singleton were not dressed and were replaced by Zach Demarchis and Izaiah McPherson respectively. Demarchis was replaced in the second half by Seegers…Starting left tackle Brendan Ruskowski who left the Kutztown game due to an ankle injury was not dressed and was replaced by Trey Wells .

The 2021 Golden Ram Seniors (Photo Anthony Giacometti)

Prior to the game, head coach Bill Zwaan was recognized for becoming the all-time winningest football coach in West Chester history.

State Senator Robert "Tommy" Tomlinson, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Zebulun Davenport, President Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, Head Football Coach Bill Zwaan, Director of Athletics Terry Beattie (Photo Anthony Giacometti)

Sortable Box Score   

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Falls In Season Finale To IUP, 31-24

Indiana Athletic Site - Fourth quarter fireworks: Crimson Hawks end season with dramatic win at West Chester

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Indiana

Game Replay

Game Preview - Indiana

In the final game of the season for both teams, the Golden Rams (6-4) host Indiana (6-3) on Saturday. Kickoff at John A. Farrell Stadium is set for noon. The game will also serve as Senior Day when West Chester University senior band members, cheerleaders, football players and the team training staff will be honored before the game.

Series History:
Indiana leads the overall series 14-7. The teams faced each other twice in 1987 with both games being played at Farrell Stadium. West Chester won the season opener by a convincing 31-7 score, but in the PSAC championship game, Indiana won in an equally convincing manner, 21-9. Thirty years later, the two schools also faced each other twice in the same season with Indiana taking both victories. The first game was the PSAC championsip game while the second game was in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Head coach Bill Zwaan endeared himself to Golden Ram fans when he broke West Chester's five-game losing streak to Indiana and led West Chester to a 30-20 win in his first game against them in 2005. However, he then lost three straight to the Crimson Hawks, including a 45-35 home loss in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. In a game that vaulted West Chester into the the 2014 playoffs, the Golden Rams won at Indiana in 2014.

Paul Tortorella (37-9) is in his fourth season as head coach of IUP and the Crimson Hawks advanced to the national semi-finals in 2017 and qualified for the playoffs in 2019.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
1995	Away	Loss	50-7	2010	Away	Loss	27-10
1998	Home	Loss	19-10	2011	Home	Loss	34-7
1999	Away	Loss	12-9	2014	Away	Win	28-17
2005	Home	Win	30-20	2017	Home	Loss	24-7
2007	Home	Loss	45-35	2017	Away	Loss	44-10

Last Meeting:

11/25/2017 Indiana 44 - West Chester 10

The #3 Crimson Hawks dominated all facets of the game in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs, jumping out to a 37-0 lead and coasting to a 44-10 win. Indiana rolled up 558 yards of offense while holding West Chester to just 232 total yards. Tight end Dan Neuhaus had three catches for 56 yards and safety Jordan Burney had five total tackles.

Scouting the Opponent:

Prior to the 2021 season, quarterback Harry Woodbery (115 of 193, 1,667 yards, 22 TD's, 4 int's) transferred from Eastern Illinois where he played in 27 games and made 12 starts at quarterback over three seasons for the FCS Panthers. He didn't play in IUP's first two games this season, but has been the starter ever since. Penn State transfer wide receiver Irvin Charles (36 catches, 694 yards, 11 TD's) gets into the end zone, and while All-PSAC West receiver Duane Brown (50 catches, 739 yards, 6 TD's) is also a top target, he has 12 carries for 67 yards as well this year. The running game is led by All-PSAC West backs Justice Evans (103 carries, 511 yards, 1 TD) and Malik Anderson (70 carries, 382 yards, 4 TD's). Redshirt freshman Dayjure Stewart (59 carries, 254 yards, 3 TD's) has also seen a lot of action this season. Right guard Josh Dauberman is a two-time All-PSAC West performer for the Crimson Hawks.

Dylan Grubbs handles the punting (41 avg, 13 inside the 20, 6 50+ yards) and kickoffs (57 kickoffs, 9 touchbacks, 3 out of bounds). Freshman Tyler Luther (9 of 10 FG, 36 of 37 PATs) handles the kick scoring.

After spending four seasons at nearby Youngstown State, linebacker Malachi Newell (59 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss) is IUP's top tackler. He is joined in the middle by Edinboro transfer Connor Kelly (52 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss). The defensive line is led by freshman Tyrone Fowler Jr. (2 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss) and Clarion transfer Vaughn Wallace (16 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss) who get after the quarterback.

Freshman free safety Charles Ingram (43 tackles, 2 ints), freshman strong safety Jaheim Howard (32 tackles, 2 ints), and Youngstown State transfer cornerback Bryce Gibson (29 tackles, 2 ints) patrol the secondary.

However, the Indiana defense will look different this Saturday than it did in week one. LIU transfer and All-PSAC West cornerback Nazir Streater (30 tackles, 1 int, 3 PBU's) was suspended for one game, and now has been dismissed from the team and no longer appears on the IUP roster. All-PSAC West nose guard Dajour Fisher (8 tackles) suffered a serious leg injury and defensive tackle Raunya Mitchell (12 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 int) has missed a couple of games due to a suspension.

Analysis:

IUP and West Chester have four common opponents in 2021. Both lost to Shepherd and both defeated Mercyhurst. IUP narrowly defeated Kutztown in the first game of the year in Indiana, while West Chester fell to Kutztown last week. And West Chester came back to top Edinboro whereas IUP fell to the Fighting Scots at home two weeks ago to end any playoff hopes for the Crimson Hawks.

These two teams are rather even from a scoring and overall yardage perspective. IUP's fairly balanced offense is led slightly by their passing game. Defensively, IUP is second in the PSAC against the run while their passing defense ranks dead last. This poses an interesting decision for the Golden Ram offense which is clearly stronger in the running department. West Chester's running game didn't fare too well against Kutztown's defense last week, but can the Golden Rams passing game exploit the IUP secondary enough to compensate.

Massey Ratings is predicting a 31-28 Crimson Hawk victory.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video

PSAC Site - PSAC Football Notes, Week 11

Indiana Athletic Site - Crimson Hawks look to close out season on high note

Indiana Gazette - Road Warriors: Hawks find comfort away from home

Indiana Gazette - Fourth season doesn't suit IUP coaches

Indiana Gazette - Hawks give coach happy day