Game Preview - Gannon

The #19 Golden Rams (1-0) travel to Erie to take on the Gannon Golden Knights (1-0). This will be the last contest between the two schools for the foreseeable future as the crossover rotation changes next season. Saturday's contest at McConnell Family Stadium will commence at noon.

Gannon is coming off a 14-7 win at Southern Connecticut State last Thursday giving head coach Brad Rzyczycki a career record of 37-42. The SCSU Owls dominated that game offensively, but were hurt by three interceptions, one of which led to a Gannon touchdown.

Series History:

West Chester is 3-0 against the Golden Knights, including winning a 56-41 shootout in Erie in 2013.

Last Meeting:

09/08/2018 West Chester 31 - Gannon 7

Gannon used a short field to score on their first possession of the game, but it was all West Chester the rest of the way as the Golden Rams won 31-7. The Golden Ram defense held All-American running back Marcus Jones to just 62 yards on the ground. Safety Jarey Elder had two interceptions and five tackles and true freshman cornerback Sterlen Barr made five stops. Lex Rosario and Cody Boozel each had 72 yards and a touchdown receiving.

Scouting the Golden Knights:

Other than the departure of running back Jones, there are a lot of familiar faces on the Gannon offense. Quarterbacks Jimmy Keefe (56 of 122 for 658 yards, 4 TD's, 5 int's in 2018; 11 of 27 for 130 yards, 2 TD's last week) and Jason Dambach (65 of 149 for 938 yards, 7 TD's, 3 int's in 2018) provide Gannon options under center. They both will target receiver Joey Cox (47 catches, 444 yards, 2 TD's in 2018, 8 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD last week). Melvin Blanks (15 carries for 47 yards) has taken over the running duties, but look for Keefe to run as well.

Gannon returns two All-PSAC West performers in defensive ends Jay Bullock (6 tackles last week) and Andrew Berger (2 tackles and 1 QBH against SCSU). A.J. Satcher (54 tackles, 9 PD's in 2018), one of three safeties in Gannon's 4-2-5 defense, is their top returning tackler and the reigning PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year. Although only expected to compete for playing time last year as a redshirt freshman, linebacker Aaron Webb (43 tackles) ranked fourth on the team in tackles and had a monster 13-tackle performance last week in Connecticut.

Analysis:

West Chester will be battling youth for a good portion of the start of its season, but the Golden Knights are still trying to find their way offensively. Last year, Gannon was in the lower third in the PSAC in most categories, so this may be a good opportunity for the Golden Rams to find some rhythm offensively. The Golden Knights have a history of 15-yard penalties and were flagged for five of them last Thursday including two personal fouls and one unsportsmanlike conduct call. So the young Golden Rams must keep their composure. It's a long trip and an awful place to play, so West Chester will need to overcome those mental obstacles as well.

The only change that appears on West Chester's depth chart is Zach Liggitt will get his first start at defensive end replacing Fulani Freeman who was injured against Bentley. With four tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup in the Bentley game, Liggitt performed admirably, so this change is not surprising.

Atomic Football is predicting a nine-point victory for West Chester while Massey Ratings projects a 15-point margin.

Notes:

Those of you making the trip to Gannon for the first time are in for a real treat. In that single stadium, the Golden Knights not only play football and soccer, but also baseball, lacrosse, and softball. As such seating is a challenge, with poor visibility from behind the visitor's stands. There are no parking lots; all parking is on street.

Game Coverage:

Live Stats   Audio   Video

West Chester Athletic Site - Depth Chart - West Chester vs. Gannon

PSAC Site - Football - Week 2 Notes

Gannon Athletic Site - Gannon Kicks Off 2019 Home Slate Against No. 19 West Chester

KYW Newsradio - West Chester heads to Erie for Saturday game with Gannon

GoErie.com - Erie-area college football previews, Sept. 14

Daily Local News - Shaky Week 1 win not enough to scare Zwaan, WCU before trek to Gannon

papreplive.com - First-time starters make immediate strides for West Chester University

D2football - PSAC West Columnist - PSAC West Week 2

D2football - PSAC East Columnist - Week 1 Recap / Week 2 Preview