Game Preview - Lincoln

Despite being located just 30 miles apart and establishing football programs over 100 years ago, the Golden Rams (0-0) will face the Lincoln Lions (0-0) for the first time ever on Saturday. Kickoff at LU Athletics Stadium is set for 6:00.

Series History:
This will be the first time these two teams meet on the football field.

Scouting the Opponent:

After a 48-year hiatus, Lincoln re-established their football program in 2008. Since then, Frank “TanQ” Turner is their sixth head coach as he enters his fourth season.

Hamas Duren (111 of 190, 1,309 yards, 10 TD's, 10 int), the Lions' starting quarterback in 2025, entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of last season but doesn't appear to have landed anywhere. Sophomore Rhyel Miles-Eubanks (51 of 82, 488 yards, 2 TD's, 2 int in 2025) is listed as a punter on this year's roster. Perhaps Jayden Triplett (5 of 8, 24 yards, 1 int, 41 carries, 259 yards, 1 TD) will be under center this season. Kyrie Tyson (43 catches, 639 yards, 4 TD's in 2025) was Lincoln's top receiver last season and returns for 2026. Also returning is top running back Dexter Baptistin (85 carries, 391 yards, 2 TD's).

Lincoln's primary place kicker from last season Daylen Ortiz (9 of 10 PAT, 2 of 6 FG) is now at Jackson State, however Armando Avril (11 of 11 PAT's) was perfect last year.

On defense, linebackers Charles Thompson (69 tackles, 2 int, 2.5 sacks) and Zion Knox (38 tackles, 1 int) are Lincoln's top returning tackles. Isaiah Session (46 tackles, 1 int) and Aboulaye Diomande (24 tackles, 3 PBU) patrol the secondary, while Lorenzo Gales (22 tackles, 1 sack) is the Lion's top returning lineman.

Analysis:

Lincoln last won a football game in October of 2024 and had no players that were recognized last season on the 2025 CIAA All-Conference Teams. The Lions were selected to finish last in the 2026 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish.

Massey Ratings is projecting a 38-13 Golden Ram win while Versus Sports simulates a 37-20 WCU victory.

Notes:

Tickets are pricey ($20). There is limited seating (3 rows) on the visitors' side of the stadium.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Video  

Lincoln Athletic Site - Lincoln Opens 2026 Football Season Under the Lights Against West Chester

D2football - CIAA Columnist - CIAA Week 1 Preview

D2football - PSAC Columnist - PSAC Week One Preview

Team News - 2026 Season Preview

The Only Constant is Change

As Golden Ram head coach Duke Greco (8-13) enters his third season at the helm, one might expect that things would be settling down. While the coaching staff has expanded and stabilized, in this age of the transfer portal, the roster may be in a situation that it gets a remake every season.

Offense

Despite playing in just seven games last season due to injury, quarterback Cooper Jordan accounted for nearly 50% of the Golden Ram offense. With Jordan now gone due to graduation, redshirt junior Colin O'Sullivan (80 of 135, 831 yards, 6 TD's, 8 int in 5 games) has the most experience in the system. He will be pushed by Towson transfer Jack Pellicciotti who was here in the spring and Temple transfer Tyler Douglas who arrived this summer. O'Sullivan and Douglas offer very different styles in that O'Sullivan was only credited with five carries last season while Douglas was Temple's running option at quarterback.

Regardless of who's throwing the ball, on the receiving end will be team captain Dylan McKenzie (28 catches, 694 yards, 8 TD's). Redshirt senior Will Silverman (3 cathes, 47 yards) will be pushed for time by Maine transfer Blake Thomas and West Virginia State transfer Adrien Mosley, and a host of redshirt freshmen. Tight end Ryan Johnston (5 catches, 30 yards) returns and will be joined by Delaware State transfer Reese Clark. Fullback Mitch Ragni will primarily be blocking, but can also be an asset with the ball in his hands. Future Robertson (74 carries, 344 yards, 3 TD's) is the top returning running back, but expect to see Villanova transfer Isaiah Wright and redshirt freshman Mikhail Johnson (22 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD) who played in just four games last season to preserve his redshirt season.

The success of the offense is really going to hinge on how quickly the line can coalesce. The only returning starter from last season is team captain and right tackle Cole Kozlowski. Redshirt freshmen Nick Micewski, Drew O'Connor, and Tucker Valoczki saw limited action last season, but Wagner transfer Connor Tuk, William and Mary transfer Joey Svoboda and Merrimack transfer Anthony Aviles can provide some immediate upper class experience.

Special Teams

West Chester's only returning all PSAC-East player is kicker Rylan Zuk (34 of 35 PAT's, 8 of 12 FG's, long 47) who led the Golden Rams in scoring with 58 points. Tommy Pajic kicked off last season and he or Moravian transfer Jack Corrigan will do the punting. Freshman Dante Sciolla is the only long snapper listed on the roster. There is a search for new players for an effective return game.

Defense

Six of the top seven tacklers from 2025 have departed, with lineman and team captain Jack Fry (41 tackles) set to anchor the defense. Next to Fry will be fellow tackle Debrick Johnson (30 tackles, 3.5 TFL) who's now wearing #6, and Anthony Delle Donne (19 tackles, 4.0 TFL). Returning at edge rusher are Seamus McCain (36 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 4 QBH), Joey Zack (8 tackles), Ronnell McCorn (14 tackles, 1.5 TFL), and Khalif Kemp (14 tackles, 5 QBH). And it will be interesting to see how redshirt freshman Eddie Bowen and 6'6 West Georgia transfer Solo Bambara work into the rotation.

Seniors Luke Trunell (19 tackles) and Ricardo Delgado (31 tackles, 3.0 sacks) bring experience to the linebacking corps. Jayden Trace (11 tackles) and Ryan Shannon (11 tackles) will look to take a step forward this season.

In the secondary, Jamir Reyes (30 tackles, 3 int) brings a lot of experience at safety and Miles Goodwin (13 tackles, 1 int) and Rondell Bradley (12 tackles) both saw significant time last year. Peaky Roseborough (4 tackles, 1 int) and Bryan Anderson (4 tackles) were each limited to four games last year to preserve their redhsirt year. Expect Temple transfer Andrew Garwo and Sacred Heart transfer Elijah Motley to be involved as well.

Conclusion
There is certainly a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but there are a lot of news faces as well. Questions will be how well the offensive line can come together to provide holes for the running backs and time for the quarterbacks to throw the ball. The 2025 rushing defense was among the bottom half in the country, allowing 171 yards per game, so that's an area that desperately needs to improve. Finally, special teams needs an upgrade in order for this Golden Ram team to be successful. West Chester had four punts and five kicks blocked last season and the weakness in the punt coverage and punt return games yielded too much field position to opponents. If all goes well, the Golden Rams can hope to finish above .500 for the first time in the Duke Greco era.

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Football is Ready for the 2026 Season

West Chester Athletic Site - Football Squad Opens Second Week of Practice

D2football - PSAC Columnist- PSAC Season Preview - 2026

KYW Newsradio's 1-On-1 with Matt Leon - College Football Preview '26 - West Chester University Golden Rams

Player News - 17 Golden Rams Receive D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award

Seventeen West Chester Golden Ram players have received honors for their performance in the classroom for the 2025-26 academic year.

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

• senior receiver Troy Corson
• junior defensive tackle Anthony Delle Donne
• junior defensive tackle Jack Fry
• senior receiver Zack Gillen
• senior center Donovan Jones
• senior quarterback Ethan Kohler
• sophomore offensive lineman Cole Kozlowski
• sophomore fullback Sean Moskowitz
• sophomore quarterback Colin O'Sullivan
• sophomore kicker Tommy Pajic
• junior quarterback Jack Pellicciotti
• sophomore offensive lineman Richard Pohorilenko
• sophomore defensive back Jamir Reyes
• senior punter Dylan Shank
• junior receiver Will Silverman
• sophomore offensive lineman Tucker Valoczki
• sophomore defensive back Dan Vogelsong

Gillen and Kohler are being recognized for the third time while Corson, Fry and and Pohorilenko appeared on this list after last academic year as well.

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, 185 student-athletes from West Chester University received recognition. The PSAC was the most represented conference in the country with 1,969 student-athletes honored.

PSAC Site - Division II-leading 1,969 PSAC student-athletes recognized with 2025-26 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Sets Mark With 185 Individuals on D2 ADA All-America List

Team News - 2026 Roster Changes

With camp in full swing, it's worth taking a look at the latest changes to the roster. Similar to last year, most incoming freshman recruits and transfers appear with the exceptions of punter Domenic Nardini (Ohio Dominican), receiver Robert Ford II, and defensive back Vincent Rosa.

Departures:

The most notable departure from last year's roster is running back Jayden Zandier. Although Zandier did not see game action in 2025, he was a two-time all-state running back who amassed over 3,300 yards and 45 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Exeter High School. Other players with apparent eligibility remaining but no longer on the roster include offensive linemen Owen Chaffinch (eight games in 2025) and Cole Evans (11 games in 2025) along with defensive linemen Amara Yobouet (three tackles in four games in 2025) and Ahmed Kamara (one tackle in two games in 2025.

Additions:

Besides the previously announced transfers, there are over a dozen new additions to the team. On offense:

• Quarterback Tyler Douglas comes from Temple where he registered 16 carries for 34 yards in six games in two seasons. The Owls planned on moving him to wide receiver, but in high school Douglas was a four-time all-division player who evolved into a dual-threat quarterback.
• Running back Isaiah Wright rushed for over 1,000 yards in his senior year at Malvern Prep. At Villanova, he missed the 2022 season with an injury and in the following three seasons, he ran 47 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns. His father Tracey is in Kutztown's Hall of Fame for football.
• Joey Svoboda played primarily on the defensive line at William & Mary, but the academic honor roll student's strength is on the offensive side of the ball.
• Jayden Mobley was listed as a quarterback at both Culver-Stockton and Wagner, but is slotted to play his primary high school position of tight end for the Golden Rams.
• Receiver Kylie Harper spent 2022 on Lock Haven's roster, then the 2023 and 2025 seasons at Erie Community College where he made 15 catches in 13 games. He also ran for the Culver-Stockton track team in the spring of 2025.
• Anthony Aviles is an offensive lineman from Merrimack where he was listed as a backup left tackle.

On defense:

• After graduating from Neumann Goretti, Solo Bambara spent three years at Buffalo where he played sparingly. He signed with Nevada for the 2024 season, but ended up spending that year with West Georgia. He made 24 tackles including 8.0 tackles for loss while playing in all 11 games for the Wolves.
• Malvern Prep grad Stephen Hollander walked on and appeared in five games in his four seasons at James Madison. Hollander is a consistent academic honor roll and dean's list student.
• Another Malvern Prep grad, linebacker Jayln Evans made 15 tackles in 20 games over three seasons at Fordham where he was listed as a defensive back.
• Defensive back Vance Johnson spent a couple of post graduate years at Fork Union Military Academy.
• Linebacker Jaleel Davis-Shabazz returns for his senior season. In 2023, he made 21 tackles for the Golden Rams, including nine at Shepherd. He only appeared in two games in 2024 and was not on the roster in 2025.
• Linebacker Daunte White earned PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors in late September for Edinboro. For the season he tallied 27 tackles including 7.5 tackles for loss and an interception. He spent 2024 at Sussex County Community College after ending a troubled career which started at Saint Francis.
• Haverford High graduate and linebacker Jake Knapp spent his freshman season at PSAC West member Seton Hill.
• Freshman linebacker C.J. Walker was the Concord (DE) High School recipient of the Mini Max Award and played in the DFRC Blue Gold All Star Game in 2025.

Event News - Killinger Foundation Banquet

The 2026 Killinger Foundation Football Banquet will be held on Friday, September 11 at the Desmond Hotel Malvern. The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees are:

- Steven Grundy '79
- Pat Ellis '88
- William Lowe '99
- Kevin O'Neill '07
- Michael Labor '14

Linebacker Steve Grundy was the lone captain in Coach Otto Kneidinger's first year at West Chester. He tallied 129 total tackles in 1979 which ranks sixth on the Golden Rams' list, and his 96 solo tackles that year hasn't been topped at West Chester almost 50 years later. Grundy also nabbed a team-high four interceptions that season.

Pat Ellis was named first team All-PSAC East in 1988 as a defensive lineman after making 30 tackles for loss including 15 sacks. Both of those marks are season-best in Golden Rams' history. He finished his West Chester career with 20.5 sacks.

Bill Lowe was named second team All-PSAC East at wide receiver in both 1997 and 1999. He made 14 catches in a 57-35 win at East Stroudsburg in 1998, and finished that season with 60 receptions. In 1997, Lowe led the team in receptions with 38 for 489 yards and 6 TD's, and had 28 punt returns for 157 yards. He finished his Golden Ram career with 163 receptions and 59 punt returns for 291 yards.

Offensive lineman Kevin O'Neill was named first team All-PSAC East in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Golden Rams qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs in all three of those seasons. Besides being a three-year starter, O'Neill was a West Chester University, PSAC and Philadelphia Inquirer All-Academic athlete.

In his four years at West Chester University, linebacker Mike Labor started in 43 of the 45 games that he played. During that time, he tallied 309 total tackles including 37 tackles for loss and made five interceptions. In 2013 Labor was named second team All-PSAC East after making 105 total tackles, including a team-high 13.0 tackles for loss. In six playoff games between 2013 and 2014, he made six starts, making 41 total tackles, including a WCU-high 7.5 tackles for loss.

For a detailed agenda or to purchase tickets, please go to the online ticket sale center.

Alumni News - David Blay Sign with Eagles

Former Golden Ram defensive tackle David Blay has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Blay previously signed as a rookie free agent with the New England Patriots on May 8 but was subsequently released on August 7.

As a redshirt freshman for the Golden Rams in 2022, Blay played in all eleven games making eight starts. That season he made 38 total tackles including 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. He spent the next two seasons at Lousianna Tech and finished 2024 with a team-high 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks to earn first team All-Conference USA honors. This past season, Blay had 28 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss as a starting defensive tackle for the FBS runner-up Miami Hurricanes which finished 13-3.

Philadelphia Eagles - Eagles sign DT David Blay, RB Ja'Quinden Jackson, and OLB Tarron Jackson

Team News - Golden Rams Picked To Finish Fourth in 2026

The West Chester University Golden Rams were picked to finish fourth in the eastern 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 sixth. Lock Haven, which finished fourth in the east last season, was moved to the west this year to accomodate the addition of Lackawanna to the conference.

Predicted order with first place votes in parentheses:

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

Check out what head coach Duke Greco had to say about the start of the 2026 season as the Golden Rams prepare to open fall camp next week in West Chester! pic.twitter.com/unnHAQCXD4

— West Chester Golden Rams (@WCUAthletics) August 6, 2026

PSAC Site - Kutztown claims No. 1 spot in 2026 PSAC Football Eastern Division Preseason Poll

West Chester Athletic Site - Golden Rams Selected Fourth in PSAC Eastern Division Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Team News - 31 Golden Rams Named PSAC Scholar-Athletes

Thirty-one players that were on the Golden Ram football roster last season have been named PSAC Scholar-Athletes for the 2025-2026 academic year. In order to qualify for the honor, athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better. There were 4,135 athletes from all 17 PSAC institutions of which 322 represented West Chester University.

Representing the football team are:

• freshman linebacker Josh Colonia
• junior receiver Troy Corson %
• freshman receiver Brody Deiter
• junior defensive tackle Anthony Delle Donne
• junior defensive lineman Jack Fry %$
• sophomore defensive back Andrew Garwo
• senior receiver Zack Gillen %$*
• freshman defensive tackle Lorenzo Gordon
• freshman tight end Joseph Grasso
• freshman tight end Ryan Johnston
• senior offensive lineman Donovan Jones
• senior quarterback Ethan Kohler %$*
• sophomore offensive lineman Cole Kozlowski
• junior tight end Thatcher Miller %$*^
• freshman fullback Sean Moskowitz %
• freshman linebacker Colin Obser
• freshman offensive lineman Drew O'Connor
• freshman defensive lineman Aidan Oldfield
• freshman kicker Tommy Pajic %
• sophomore quarterback Jack Pellicciotti
• freshman offensive lineman Tommy Pajic
• freshman defensive back Jamir Reyes %
• freshman defensive back Peaky Roseborough
• freshman linebacker Brenn Scott %
• junior punter Dylan Shank
• junior receiver Will Silverman
• freshman linebacker Jayden Trace %
• freshman offensive lineman Tucker Valoczki %
• senior long snapper Luke Vereb %$*^
• freshman defensive back Dan Vogelsong %
• freshman linebacker Jim Wade

% Student-athletes who were also recognized as a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2024-2025 academic year

$ Student-athletes who were also recognized as a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2023-2024 academic year

* Student-athletes who were also recognized as a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2022-2023 academic year

^ Student-athletes who were also recognized as a PSAC Scholar-Athlete for the 2021-2022 academic year

PSAC Site - PSAC honors 4,135 as Scholar-Athletes for 2025-26 academic year

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Lands 322 on PSAC Academic Honor Roll

Event News - 2026 Phil Simms NJ All-Star Football Classic

A pair of future Golden Rams will be participating in the Phil Simms New Jersey North/South All-Star Football Classic to be held at 7:00pm on Saturday June 20 in Lions Stadium on the campus of The College of New Jersey.

Receiver Kyree Barksdale of Atlantic City and linebacker Julien Jones of Colonia will suit up for the South squad which will be coached by James Melody of Cedar Creek.

Current Golden Rams who have participated in this annual event include linebacker Jayden Trace, defensive back Peaky Roseborough, tight end Joe Grasso, linebacker Blaise Boland, offensive lineman Aiden Stewart, defensive tackle Aidan Oldfield, defensive back Bryan Anderson, and offensive lineman Charles Kyle Williams.

2026 South Roster

Event News - 2026 Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic

A pair of future Golden Rams will be participating in the 2026 Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic to be held at 7:30 pm on June 11 in Nazareth's Andrew Leh Stadium. Selected to play for the St. Luke's Children's Hospital squad, which will be coached by Joe Henrich of Catasauqua High School, will be offensive lineman Brody McHugh of Emmaus High School. Selected to play for team Ronald McDonald House, which will be coached by Vinnie Andrews, will be quarterback Cole Ordway of Easton High School.

Several former Golden Rams have particiapted in this contest including wide receiver Zack Gillen, defensive end Zach Liggitt, offensive lineman Pat Ferry, and running back Eddie Elliott.

UPDATE - PA Football News - Team Ronald McDonald House Wins Storm Shortened 55th Annual Lehigh Valley All Star Football Classic 34-16

UPDATE - The Morning Call - McDonald’s LV All-Star Football Classic: Lots of lightning on the field before the storm arrived

UPDATE - Lehigh Valley Live - Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic: Easton’s Ordway, Northampton’s Kline storm into end zone