Game Preview - Bloomsburg

The #8 Golden Rams (9-0, 6-0) host the #16 Bloomsburg Huskies (8-1, 5-1) on Saturday to decide the winner of the PSAC East. Despite the fact that the Huskies dropped their last game to Shippensburg, a Husky win over the Golden Rams will leave both teams at 6-1 in the division and Bloomsburg would advance to the championship by virtue of their head-to-head result over West Chester. A Golden Ram win would advance West Chester to the PSAC championship game for the first time since 2008.

Series History:
West Chester leads the overall series 46-24 and these two teams always seem to have classic battles on big stages. In 2006 in Bloomsburg, the Golden Rams' late game rally fell short as they lost to the then #9 Huskies. Their chance at redemption came in the second round of the NCAA playoffs that year, but West Chester lost to the #6 Huskies by one point when a WCU game winning field goal attempt was partially blocked with a minute left to play.

West Chester made two trips to Bloomsburg in 2008 as well. The undefeated #4 Huskies missed a field goal with nine minutes left that would have extended their lead to seven. The Golden Rams then executed an 80-yard drive in almost seven minutes that finished with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown on fourth and goal to give #19 West Chester the win and the PSAC East crown. Unfortunately, Bloomsburg would prevail in the second meeting which, like 2006, occurred in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. That was West Chester's last playoff game.

In 2009, West Chester knocked off the #10 Huskies 30-14, in a game where all but two points were scored in the first half. And who can forget the 2011 disaster homecoming game when West Chester squandered a 35-0 second quarter lead over the #2 Huskies and lost 55-42 on homecoming.

So it's no surprise that the tenth game of the season is one in which both teams are ranked in the top 20, and the division crown and subsequent trip to the PSAC championship game is on the line.

Last 10 Meetings:

Year	H/A	W/L	Score	Year	H/A	W/L	Score
2005	Away	Win	42-35	2008	Away	Loss	28-21
2006	Away	Loss	30-27	2009	Home	Win	30-14
2006	Away	Loss	21-20	2010	Away	Loss	45-21
2007	Home	Win	44-28	2011	Home	Loss	55-42
2008	Away	Win	24-21	2012	Away	Loss	24-23

Last Meeting:

11/03/2012 Bloomsburg 24 - West Chester 23

It was just another classic, close, back and forth battle in the long history between these two schools. The Golden Rams entered the red zone five times, but only one of those trips resulted in a touchdown. While three of them yielded field goals, it was a crucial lost fumble on second and eight from the Bloomsburg 15 in the fourth quarter that ended the Golden Rams' last best chance to score.

The game was well played - there were only seven total penalties and five total punts. Rondell White finished with 211 yards rushing and 94 yards receiving while Harlon Hill finalist Franklyn Quiteh had 121 yards on the ground. The Huskies would go on to finish the regular season 10-1 and advance to the NCAA playoffs.

Scouting the Opponent:

Bloomsburg has always been built around a strong running game and this season is no different. Franklyn Quiteh (180 carries, 1,602 yards, 23 TD's) was All-PSAC and a Harlon Hill finalist last season and is the nation's leading rusher. He is spelled by Dai'Shon Munger (107 carries, 611 yards, 2 TD's) and Joe Parsnik (66 carries, 378 yards, 1 TD). With all those rushing numbers, it's no surprise that the Husky offensive line features three All-PSAC performers in Matt Feiler, Brian Clarke and Chris Steck.

Prior to Bloomsburg's loss to Shippensburg, quarterback Tim Kelly (97-163, 1,397 yards, 13 TD's, 5 interceptions) led the PSAC and was fifth in the nation in passing efficiency. Kelly's top targets are Glenn Hutton Jr. (31 catches, 505 yards, 6 TD's) and Tony Peregrin (19 catches, 267 yards, 2 TD). Quiteh (10 catches, 155 yards, 2 TD's) will catch an occasional shovel or swing pass.

Bloomsburg features the best place kicker in the PSAC in Danny Fisher. Fisher was All-PSAC last season and so far this year, he's 9 of 11 on field goals and perfect on 46 PAT's. Freshman Lawrence Elliott Jr. is a threat in the return game as he's returned a punt for a 73-yard touchdown and a kickoff return for 86 yards.

Defensively, the Huskies front seven are their strength. Linebacker Justin Shirk (82 tackles, 6 TFL's, 3 pass breakups) was All-PSAC last year and is well on his way to repeating that honor. Alongside him is R-Fr. Andrew Harris (55 tackles, 5 TFL's). Up front is All-PSAC performer Larry Webster (31 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 7 QB hurries). Webster is finishing his second year of football after playing basketball for the Huskies for four seasons. Shawn Mitchell (20 tackles, 5 TFL's) also applies pressure from his defensive tackle position.

In the secondary, Jonathan Patrick (24 tackles, 4 interceptions) has three interception returns of at least 20 yards. Cornerbacks Gary Postell (44 tackles, 4 TFL's, 3 pass breakups), DJ Robinson (36 tackles, 5 TFL's, 3 interceptions, 9 pass breakups), and Temple transfer Tomas Cabrera (42 tackles, 3 interceptions, 4 pass breakups) also provide coverage.

Analysis:

Despite the 13 interceptions by the Husky secondary, they've struggled against opponents that have a sound passing game. Shippensburg and East Stroudsburg each threw for over 450 yards and five touchdowns, and Kutztown and Edinboro each completed passes for at least 350 yards. Their defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this year, but Rondell White will be the best back they've faced this season. They've shown that they're susceptible to a running quarterback, so there may be some opportunities there.

Regarding the Bloomsburg offense, it makes sense that it revolves around what some have called the best player in all of Division II. But this is where it gets interesting. Quiteh incurred a shoulder injury while blocking in the Shippensburg game, but even before that occurred, the Raiders kept him mostly quiet. This was due to a defensive effort on the part of the Raiders (eight in the box), but also due to the fact that the Shippensburg offense was putting up points, putting Bloomsburg in catch-up mode. Shutting down that run game exposed an unproven passing offense (12-32 37.5%, 152 yards, 0 TD's, 1 interception, 3 sacks). Unlike West Chester, Bloomsburg has given plenty of touches to their other running backs, so if Quiteh can't go, Munger should have no problem stepping in.

Notes:
Saturday's game marks veterans and military appreciation day at Farrell Stadium. Donations will be collected for the Wounded Warrior Project and there is complimentary general admission for those with a millitary ID...Paul Darragh (8-1) will be the third first-year coach that West Chester will face this season (Drew Folmar at Kutztown and Greg Breitbach at Millersville)...Quarterback Sean McCartney is listed as the starter for Saturday's game with redshirt freshman Andrew Derr, who started at Cheyney, listed as the backup...Redshirt freshman Jeremy Irving is listed as the backup strong safety in place of Kevin Malone who was injured in the Cheyney game...Don't forget to attend the Post Game Fundraiser at Barnaby's of America.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio  

West Chester Athletic Site - West Chester Announces Pre-Game Preparations For Bloomsburg Contest Saturday

PSAC Site - Football - Week 10 Notes

Bloomsburg Athletic Site - PSAC East Title on the Line in Battle Between Nationally-Ranked Rivals

KYW Newsradio - West Chester Hosts Bloomsburg Saturday, PSAC East Title On Line

Daily Local News - Stakes are high as Bloomsburg comes to town

D2football - PSAC Columnist - Final Week of Divisional Play in the PSAC

D2football - National Columnist - Bob Eblen - National Columnist