Series History:
Indiana leads the overall series 15-7 . The teams faced each other twice in both 1987 and 2017. In 2017, the first meeting was in the PSAC championsip game while the second game was in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Golden Rams won at Indiana in 2014 in a game that vaulted West Chester into the playoffs. West Chester has lost three straight to IUP overall and four straight at Farrell Stadium with the last home victory coming in 2005.
Head coach Paul Tortorella entered his tenth season at IUP with a record of 68-23 and has led the Crimson Hawks to the Division II playoffs four times including a trip to the national semi-finals in 2017.
Last 10 Meetings:
|
Year
|
H/A
|
W/L
|
Score
|
Year
|
H/A
|
W/L
|
Score
|
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
|
2010
|
Away
|
Loss
|
27-10
|
2021
|
Home
|
Loss
|
31-24
|
Last Meeting:
11/13/2021 Indiana 31 - West Chester 24
The Golden Rams held a 24-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Crimson Hawks outscored West Chester 21-0 to snatch yet another win from WCU at Farrell Stadium. West Chester's final three offensive possessions consisted of four sacks, including a lost fumble, and a total of -2 yards. For the game, the Golden Rams had a 50-yard advantage in total offense and a ten minute advantage in time of possession, but IUP had an 8-0 edge in quarterback sacks. The two teams combined for 26 penalties for 254 yards.
Ja'Den McKenzie amassed 112 yards and three touchdowns rushing while Rasheem James had six catches for 115 yards. Linebackers Cole Zapf (6 tackles, 1 QBH) and Jackson Taylor (5 tackles, 2 QBH) led the way for the Golden Ram defense.
Scouting the Opponent:
Ohio State transfer quarterback Mason Maggs (25 of 36, 264 yards, 2 TD) had a big day in Indiana's season-opening win at Ashland. His top targets in that game were 6'4 redshirt freshman JC Wilson (6 catches, 69 yards) and 6'3 Cal PA transfer D'Avay Johnson (4 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD). Running back Leon Parson (9 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD, 2 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD) is effective in both the run, pass and kick return game. Redshirt freshman Eric Doerue (14 carries, 52 yards) led the ground game. Tight end Connor Shamany didn't factor much into last week's game, but he was All-PSAC West last season. The Crimson Hawks were not adversely affected by the loss of All-PSAC West wide receiver Devin Whitlock who is now at Eastern Illinois.
The Indiana defense lost All-PSAC West defensive end Logan Goodwin. The West Chester Henderson product is now at Buffalo. All-PSAC West linebacker Tai'Don Strickland (4 solo tackles, 1 TFL for 10 yards, 1 PBU, 1 QBH last week ) and defensive back Noah Johnston (5 total tackles) return to lead the defense. Defensive end Braeden Walker had a 9-yard sack and an interception last week at Ashland.
True freshman Preston Rathway was perfect on his four PAT's and field goals of 30 and 34 yards. Redshirt freshman Gavin Mentzer handles the punting (46-yard avg) and kickoffs.
Analysis: This game is going to be a steep uphill climb for the Golden Rams. At #12/#13 Ashland last week, Indiana possessed the ball for 37 minutes of game time, converting 7 of 16 third-down attempts and their only fourth-down try. Will West Chester be able to run the ball well enough to keep the Crimson Hawks off the field? Probably not as Indiana held Ashland to just 64 rushing yards and 2.9 yards/carry. And the Golden Ram defense will be taxed trying to slow down the Indiana passing game.
Massey Ratings is expecting a 34-17 Indiana win while Versus Sports simulates a similar 32-22 result.
Game Coverage:


Eddie Bowen sacks the Lincoln quarterback (Photo Chuck Greco)
Cole Kozlowski celebrates after helping Mikhail Johnson into the end zone
Adrien Mosley breaks a tackle during a punt return (photo Chuck Greco)





