Game Preview - California

The Golden Rams (0-1) host the California Vulcans (0-1) on Saturday in John A. Farrell Stadium. Kickoff for this PSAC crossover game is set for noon.

Series History:
Prior to this millennia, West Chester held a 4-0 advantage in the series. But from 2007 to 2009, the next four games went to California. This was the same three-year period that the Vulcans were winning the PSAC West and the NCAA Super Region 1. Included in this time frame were two meetings in 2008 when West Chester made their way out to California to open the season on a hot August day and then again for the PSAC championship game on a cold and windy November afternoon. However, the Golden Rams have won the past three matchups and West Chester now holds a 7-4 lead in the series. California's Gary Dunn entered his eighth season as head coach with a 49-18 record and made playoff appearances in both 2016 and 2017.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
1957	Home	Win	52-0	2008	Away	Loss	47-36
1994	Away	Win	60-14	2009	Home	Loss	30-23
1995	Home	Win	25-24	2012	Away	Win	37-34
2007	Home	Loss	30-14	2013	Home	Win	38-31
2008	Away	Loss	44-32	2019	Home	Win	20-19

Last Meeting:

11/16/2019 West Chester 20 - California 19

Entering the game, the Golden Rams needed a win to secure a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs, however they played with no such urgency. Their first four possessions resulted in a mere three points and WCU trailed California late in the first half by a score of 13-3. But quarterback Paul Dooley connected on two touchdown passes to tight end Dan Neuhaus, and Andrew Chegia converted a 29-yard field goal to put West Chester up 20-13 with four minutes to play. The Vulcans were not done as they drive 84 yards, including converting two fourth downs, and scored a touchdown on the final play of regulation to bring the score to 20-19. Fortunately, California's PAT pass attempt fell incomplete and West Chester secured the one-point win and a trip to the postseason for the third consecutive year.

Scouting the Opponent:

The Vulcans finished 2023 with a 7-3 record with all three losses coming to playoff teams. From that team, they return: second Team All-PSAC West quarterback Davis Black (162 of 276, 2,525 yards, 19 TD's, 12 int, 5 rushing TD's), first team All-PSAC West receiver Eric Willis III (56 catches, 925 yards, 9 TD's), receiver Omari Hopkins (32 catches, 573 yards, 6 TD's) and running backs Eric McKan III (127 carries, 598 yards, 9 TD's) and Bobby Boyd, Jr. (94 carries, 582 yards, 3 TD's). Willis is considered one of the best receivers in the country.

There's just as much talent returning on the defensive side: first team All-PSAC West defensive back Keith Charney (30 tackles, 4 int, 6 PBU), second team All-PSAC West defensive back Dominic Solomon, Jr. (50 tackles, 2 int, 3 PBU), linebacker John Hutchinson (63 tackles, 5.0 sacks) and defensive lineman Julien Laventure (31 tackles, 6.5 TFL). Fortunately for Vulcan opponents, their best defender from 2023, linebacker Ibrahim Sanogo (40 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 8.0 sacks, 8 QB hurries), is now at the University at Albany.

On special teams, kicker Anthony Beitko (11 of 13 FG, 37 of 41 PAT) is a three-time All-PSAC West selection. Punter Clayton Rosensteel (34 punts, 38.6 avg, 5 I20 and 2 50+) returns this season. Willis averaged 9.2 yards per punt return and 15.9 yards per kick return.

Analysis:

Although California is currently 0-1, the Vulcans fell on the road to a nationally ranked opponent last week. In so doing, they outgained their opponent by almost 100 yards and held a 17 minute advantage in time of possession. California did turn the ball over three times with the final two leading to nine points and flipping their 19-14 lead to a 23-19 final score loss. Without significant improvement in the Golden Rams' offense, creating turnovers and converting them to points may be WCU's only option.

Versus Sports simulates a 33-22 Vulcan triumph while Massey Ratings favors California by a touchdown.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video   Game Program

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football Looks to Bounce Back Against California (Pa.) Saturday at Home

PSAC Site - 2024 PSAC Football Week 2 Notes

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week Two Preview

Game Report - Bentley 20 - West Chester 17

Although West Chester (0-1) got out to a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter, Bentley (1-0) took the long game approach which paid off when the Falcons converted a 38-yard field goal as time expired to capture a 20-17 win at John A. Farrell Stadium to open the 2024 season for both teams.

The Golden Rams opened the game with a 10-play, 79-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard Cooper Jordan to D'Shaun Seals touchdown pass over the middle. Jordan was four of five on the drive, completing two passes to sophomore Robby Longo. On Bentley's first possession, they gambled on a fourth-and-three from midfield which the WCU defense thwarted, but it was a sign of things to come in this game. West Chester responded with a three-play, 50-yard drive which was capped by a 33-yard touchdown run by sophomore Dayshawn Jacobs. When the Golden Ram defense forced a very quick three-and-out, fans on the home side were feeling pretty good about the day. But it was still early.

Dayshawn Jacobs slips past the last would-be tacklers (Photo Chuck Bitner)

West Chester's next drive went 44 yards and consumed more than five minutes, however it resulted in no points when a bad snap cost a field goal. And it got much worse for the offense - their next seven possessions resulted in a total of 31 yards. The only points the Golden Rams would score in the remainder of the contest was a Sean Henry 24-yard field goal.

Connor Noble and Seamus McCain team up for a stop (Photo Chuck Bitner)

Defensively, things seemed to go okay for West Chester. Safety Shane Mosley had an interception to go along with three pass breakups. Defensive end Nate Desmond recovered a Bentley fumble at the Falcon 7 yard line giving the WCU offense great field position. Overall, the Golden Ram defense held the Falcons to a paltry 2 of 17 on third down. However, as was said earlier, Bentley played the long game and converted on 4 of 7 fourth down attempts which led to the Falcons having a six minute advantage in time of possession.

Shane Mosley with the first interception of the year (Photo Chuck Bitner)

There were four costly plays for West Chester:

• Leading 17-10 with four minutes left in the game, the Golden Rams had the ball on their own 19. Needing to run some clock, the absolute worst possible thing happened when Jordan fumbled and Bentley recovered leading to their game-tying score.
• Leading 14-0 just ten minutes into the game after Bentley had a quick three-and-out, Jordan had a wide open Rahiem Bowens deep over the middle. It appeared that Bowens was looking to the end zone instead of securing the catch. Rather than a demoralizing 21-0 West Chester lead, it instead became the last best chance that the Golden Rams had of scoring a touchdown.
• With the game tied at 17 with a little over a minute left in the game, the Golden Rams faced a fourth-and-one on the Bentley 33. Going for it wasn't a bad idea, but attempting a "tush push" into the Falcon's best defensive player was. West Chester turned the ball over on downs and Bentley went on to kick the game-ending field goal.
• Leading 14-0 early in the second quarter, West Chester's drive stalled at the Bentley 14. Henry came out to attempt a 32-yard field goal, but Luke Vereb's snap bounced to holder Zack Liberatore who was unable to set the ball in time and the three points went awry.

Rahiem Bowens appears to possess this catch which was eventually ruled incomplete (Photo Chuck Bitner)

Other observations:

• Captains were D'Shaun Seals, Connor Noble, Shane Mosley, and Patrick Methlie.
• Maurice Beverly was not dressed for the game but was on the sidelines.
• Although not listed on the published depth chart, Johnny Pergine saw a lot of time at linebacker and had a key fourth down pass breakup.
• The Bentley offense often executed their plays quickly which caught the Golden Ram defense not being ready or unable to substitute.
• Connor Noble had a game high 14 tackles while redshirt freshman Jamir Reyes posted nine stops.

Sortable Box Score   

West Chester Athletic Site - Last-Second Field Goal Lifts Bentley to 20-17 Victory in Season Opener

Bentley Athletic Site - Campbell kicks game-winning field goal in season-opener at West Chester

Daily Local News - West Chester blows early lead in Greco’s coaching debut

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Bentley

Chuck Bitner - Photo Album - Bentley

Golden Rams Review - Photo Album - Bentley

Game Replay

Game Preview - Bentley

The West Chester Golden Rams host usual season-opening opponent the Bentley Falcons on Saturday at noon in John A. Farrell Stadium.

Series History:
The Golden Rams lead the series 6-1, although four 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.

Bentley head coach Saj Thakkar (6-4) returns for his second season, while the Golden Rams will be introducing a new leader for the first time in over 20 years as Duke Greco will make his West Chester debut after going 91-15 in 10 seasons at nearby Delaware Valley University.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
				2018	Away	Win	44-6
				2019	Home	Win	14-7
				2021	Away	Loss	41-17
2016	Away	Win	31-24	2022	Home	Win	17-16
2017	Home	Win	51-9	2023	Away	Win	20-19

Last Meeting:

09/02/2023 West Chester 20 - Bentley 19

Bentley held an early 14-0 lead and took a 19-10 lead into the final quarter, but Sean Henry's PAT after a Jayden Williams seven-yard touchdown run with 53 seconds left lifted the Golden Rams to a 20-19 win to open the season.

Most of the West Chester offense came from quarterback Cooper Jordan who threw for 292 yards and rushed for 84 yards to account for 376 of the Golden Rams' 404 yards. His performance earned him PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week honors. There was good distribution in the passing game among D'Shaun Seals (4 catches, 95 yards), Raheim Bowens (2 catches, 55 yards), Thatcher Miller (3 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD) and Jonathan Haynes (3 catches, 38 yards).

The Golden Ram defensive effort was led by two players making their debut for the purple and gold: Connor Noble (14 tackles, including 1.5 TFL) and Shane Mosley (13 tackles, 1.0 TFL and 2 PBU). Nate Desmond registered four tackles including a sack and Daniel Hicks forced a fumble to accompany his two tackles.

Henry had a stat-filled season opener. He converted both PAT's and both field goals that he attempted, accounting for eight points including the game winner. Two of his six kickoffs went for touchbacks, and he averaged 38.5 yards on two punts, dropping one of them inside the 20.

Scouting the Opponent:

Last season's starting quarterback, Youngstown State transfer Mark Waid (153 of 274 for 1,445 yards, 14 TD's, 9 int, 712 yards and 6 TD's rushing last season), has departed leaving a question mark at the position for Bentley. Graduate student Brett Pullman (27 of 49 for 291 yards, 2 TD's 2 int) was the only other player to throw a pass for the Falcons last season. Juniors Billy Osborn and Nick Battoni are other potential candidates. Top targets will likely be All-NE10 wide receiver Rashon Bradford (31 catches, 261 yards, 5 TD's) and big tight end Nayvon Reid (23 catches, 228 yards, 2 TD's). Graduate student running back Vinnie Holmes (174 carries, 846 yards, 3 TD's) returns after receiving first-team All-NE10 honors last year. Junior Joe LoChiatto is considered one of the top offensive guards in the country.

Graduate student Mason Campbell is a two-time first team all Northeast-10 kicker and last season converted on 26 of 29 PAT's and 15 of 24 field goals with a long of 49 yards. Punter Matt Richardson (34 yrd avg) returns. Look for Bradford to handle kick returns.

Defensively, Bentley is attempting to fill the hole left by first team AFCA All-American linebacker and NE10 MVP Salvatore Lupoli Jr. The strength appears to be on the line with a pair of first team All-NE10 performers and now graduate students in Zachary Goodwin (22 tackles, 1 TFL) and Herve Tshibamba (37 tackles, 5.5 TFL). Graduate student Nick Pucillo (33 tackles, 1 TFL) is the returning linebacker. The secondary is led by cornerback Rene Nunez (42 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 int) and safety Mike DiPlacido (41 tackles, 1 int, 5 PBU).

Analysis:

Bentley lists 15 graduate students and 20 seniors on their roster, so they are certainly coming in with plenty of experience. And the Falcons were picked to finish second in the NE10 Football Coaches’ Poll. While the Golden Rams look to be rather intact from a personnel perspective on offense, how well the unit adapts to a new scheme will be key. Defensively, West Chester will have to get acclimated to a new scheme as well as a lot of new personnel in the secondary. It's Coach Greco's first game leading the purple and gold, so there's a lot of anticipation for that as well.

Oddly enough, the Bentley opener has served as a barometer for the season. West Chester had big wins over the Falcons in 2017 and 2018 and in both of those years, went on to capture a share of the PSAC East and qualify for the NCAA Division II playoffs. The past three contests consisted of a loss and two one-point wins and WCU ended those seasons barely above .500. Will this game foretell the 2024 season as well?

Versus Sports simulates a 24-23 Golden Ram victory while Massey Ratings projects a similar 24-21 outcome.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video   Game Program  

West Chester Athletic Site - Gridiron Gang Ready To Lift Lid on 102nd Season Saturday at Home

West Chester Athletic Site - Saturday Brings Football Season Opener at 12 Noon

PSAC Site - 2024 PSAC Football Week 1 Notes

Bentley Athletic Site - Bentley football ready to take the next step in 2024

KYW Newsradio's 1-On-1 with Matt Leon - 2024 College Football Preview - West Chester Golden Rams

Team News - 2024 Scrimmage Report

Just a few of observations from Sunday morning's action:

• The offense is employing a lot of different formations, shifts, and motion. While this is entertaining for fans and potentially confusing for opposing defenses, there might also be some growing pains of illegal procedure penalties and busted plays.
  
• There seemed to be an emphasis on the offensive run game and both Dayshawn Jacobs and Jayden Williams had success. The question is if this was an effective offensive line or lack of improvement on a defense that allowed almost 200 yards/game last season which was 14th in the conference.
  
• Cooper Jordan remains the top quarterback and completed one long pass to Rahiem Bowens, but Ethan Kohler looked sharper and made better decisions. Jordan's elusiveness and speed are likely more valuable in this offense.
  
• There have been several roster changes, including:
  • defensive back Abdul Stewart played in 29 games for Maine making 48 tackles to go with three interceptions and five passes defended last season.
  • running back Juke Peaker replaces wide receiver Seth Degree on the roster. He had 33 carries for 184 yards and a score for Old Dominion in 2021.
  • defensive back Jamir Reyes joins the roster after spending one season at Army.
  • defensive back Zaire McLaurin joins the roster after making 25 tackles and collecting two interceptions last season at nearby Eastern.
  • defensive back Elijah Beaty spent last season at Virginia State after turning down offers to Seton Hill, Millersville, Kutztown, Lock Haven and Morehead State.
  • linebacker Johnny Pergine joins West Chester after spending a walk-on season at Temple in 2022 and seeing limited action at Robert Morris last year.
  • linebacker Khadir Rowe was first team All-Public at Northeast but did not appear in a game last season for IUP.
  • offensive lineman Charles Sheppard redshirted his freshman season last year at PSAC East rival Kutztown.
  • speedy Sy Burgos moved from running back in high school to slot receiver at IUP, but did not see game action there and expects to remain a receiver for the Golden Rams.
  • running back Kendell Cottrell no longer appears on the roster.
• With Jordan and Kohler occupying the quarterback spot, Brody McAndrew has moved to H-back where he is more likely to see the field.
• As the contest went on, the defensive pressure intensified with the most celebrated play being freshman defensive end Nicholas Rogers getting a pick six on a short dump pass.

West Chester opens the season at home against Bentley on Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.

WCU Football Family - Photo Album - Scrimmage

Golden Rams Review - Photo Album - Scrimmage

Alumni News - Lex Rosario Named First Team All-IFL

Former Golden Ram wide receiver Lex Rosario has been named first team All-IFL Offense by the Indoor Football League. He had a league-high 84 receptions for 857 yards and 22 touchdowns in his second season with the Tulsa Oilers.

In 2022, Rosario played in 11 games, making 31 catches for 330 yards and eight touhdowns for the Bismarck Bucks. He initially signed with the Tucson Sugar Skulls for the 2023 season, but ultimately signed and played with the Oilers, making 48 catches for 521 yards and 10 touchdowns.

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 when 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.

IFL - IFL Announces 2024 IFL First Team All-IFL Offense

Tulsa Oilers - Alexis Rosario Named to 2024 First Team All-IFL Offense

Team News - Golden Rams Picked To Finish Fourth in 2024

The West Chester University Golden Rams were picked to finish fourth in the division by the conference coaches at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Football Virtual Media Day. Prior to last season, the Golden Rams were predicted to finish third and actually finished in fourth place behind Kutztown, East Stroudsburg and Shepherd. This is the lowest West Chester has appeared in the preseason list since 2012 when they were selected fourth behind Kutztown, Bloomsburg and LIU Post.

Predicted order with first place votes in parentheses:

Eastern Division
1. Kutztown (6)
2. Shepherd (1)
3. East Stroudsburg (1)
4. West Chester
5. Lock Haven
6. Millersville
7. Shippensburg
8. Bloomsburg

New head coach Duke Greco comes on board to lead East No. 4 @WCUGoldenRamsFB this fall. The Golden Rams return dual threat QB Cooper Jordan, part of 9 returning starters from an offense that ranked sixth in the conference in total offense (356.5 yards per game.)@WCUAthletics pic.twitter.com/AMjFC2LMjr

— PSAC Sports (@PSACsports) August 8, 2024

PSAC Site - Kutztown voted No. 1 in 2024 PSAC Football Eastern Division Preseason Poll

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Picked to Finish Fourth in PSAC East Poll

Player News - Seven Golden Rams Receive D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award

Seven West Chester Golden Ram players have received honors for their performance in the classroom for the 2023-24 academic year.

Recipients of the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Award are:

• sophomore quarterback Ethan Kohler
• senior linebacker Graham Muscella
• sophomore receiver Zack Gillen
• junior offinsive lineman Luke Vereb
• junior athlete Brody McAndrew
• senior defensive back Shane Mosley
• senior tight end Stone Huffman

In order to be recognized, each player must have completed a minimum of four semesters of college work, have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during the past academic year, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5.

Overall, 133 women and 43 men from West Chester University received recognition. The PSAC was the most represented conference in the country with 1,919 student-athletes honored.

National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics - 2023-24 Academic Achievement Awards

PSAC Site - 1,919 PSAC student-athletes recognized with 2023-24 Division II ADA Academic Achievement Awards

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Lands 176 on D2 ADA Academic Honor Roll

Team News - 2024 Roster Changes

With camp opening soon, it's worth taking a look at the latest changes to the roster.

Additions:

The only member of the 2024 unofficial recruiting class not to appear is Lackawanna transfer Roman Brown. Besides the recruiting class, other newcomers that appear on the roster are A.J. Sanders, Tristan Thomas, Collin Skeen and Troy Corson.

Sanders is a 6'2, 250lb defensive lineman who graduated from Cedar Cliff in 2022 and spent some time at Sussex Community College. Thomas may be familiar to Golden Ram basketball fans as the 6'9, 250lb forward from IMG Academy who played for Coach Damien Blair in the 2022-2023 season, although he was not listed on last year's roster. He is listed as a tight end for the football team.

Neither Corson, a 5'9, 175lb wide receiever from Wilson, nor Skeen, a 6'0, 195lb wide receiver who spent 2022 at Seton Hill, currently have a uniform number assigned. After his senior season in 2022, Corson was named the Defensive Back of the Year in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 and was selected to the Pennsylvania Football Writers All-State Class 6A team on defense, and to the Class 6A PFN Coaches Select All-State Team as a receiver. Skeen was selected to the 2021 Class 4A PFN Coaches Select All-State Team as an offensive athlete.

Not currently appearing on the roster but having issued a commitment is Zaire McLaurin. In high school, the 6'1, 209lb safty was first team All-Catholic and third team All-City as a sophomore at LaSalle, then All-Public as a junior at Northeast. After his senior season in the spring of 2021, he was named Philadelphia Public League Player of the Year and committed to Central Michigan although he never signed with the Chippewas. McLaurin spent the 2021 season with Fort Scott Community College in Kansas and then appeared in ten games for the nearby Eastern University Eagles in 2023.

Departures:

The most notable departures from the roster are offensive tackle Quinton Derr and running back Trey Blair. Derr appeared in every game at WCU in 2019, 2021 and 2022 (2020 was cancelled due to COIVD) and started in 25 of those 34 games at offensive tackle. The team captain missed last season due to an injury. His #75 on the roster remains available. Although Blair spent three seasons at Temple before transferring to West Chester, 2021 was shown to be a redhsirt season with the Owls. Last year for the Purple and Gold, Blair played in just three games and had 18 carries for 158 yards and three touchdowns.

Other departures that appear to have playing eligibility left include offensive lineman Luke Stengel (31 games, two-year starter), defensive lineman Tom Burns (7 games, 11 tackles), defensive back Ben Marsico (2 games, 2 tackles), defensive back Alex Sciarrino (6 games, 1 tackle), freshman running back Grant Hoover, freshman offensive lineman Dylan Croner, freshman offensive lineman Chris Treshock, and freshman linebacker Kyle Schuman.