October 5th, 2024 4:00pm
Week Five in is in the books and two of the 15 teams in the PSAC remain undefeated (Overall Record). #8 Kutztown (5-0, 2-0 PSAC East) won in Week Five to remain perfect on the season. The Golden Bears scored 14 points in the first quarter and led the rest of the way beating Bloomsburg 42-10. Quarterback Judd Novack threw for 273 yards and four touchdowns in the win. #10 Slippery Rock (5-0, 2-0 PSAC West) won by beating #24 IUP (4-1, 1-1 PSAC West) 33-32 in my Week Five PSAC Game of the Week. The Rock jumped out to an early 21-0 lead, then gave up 26 unanswered points. All this led to a wild finish in the fourth quarter where #10 Slippery Rock scored the go-ahead touchdown with 12 seconds left in the game. The game ended with a missed FG attempt by #24 IUP as time expired. Rock quarterback Brayden Long threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns in the win. At the other end of the spectrum, only one PSAC team is still looking for their first win of the season. Millersville (0-5, 0-2 PSAC East) lost while West Chester (1-4, 1-1 PSAC East) and Gannon (1-4, 1-1 PSAC West) both got into the win column this week. I predicted six of the winners correctly in the seven Divisional Games played this week in Week Five. In the last two weeks of Divisional Games, I am 13 of 14 in my predictions.
PSAC Power Ranking heading into Week Five (and Week Five Result):
Backstory on the teams in my PSAC Power Ranking after Week Five: #24 IUP’s only loss is to undefeated #10 Slippery Rock. East Stroudsburg’s only loss is to undefeated #8 Kutztown. Shepherd’s only loss is to undefeated #10 Slippery Rock. California (PA)’s only loss is to undefeated #18 Charleston (MEC). Lock Haven’s three losses are one score game losses to #24 IUP, California (PA), and Shepherd. Bloomsburg’s losses are to Seton Hill and #8 Kutztown. These eight teams, the top tier of the PSAC, have a combined record of 31-9 after Week Five.
PSAC Week Five - Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Divisional Games
PSAC EAST
Bloomsburg (3-2, 1-1 PSAC East) at #8 Kutztown (5-0, 2-0 PSAC East)
My Prediction: #8 Kutztown – The Golden Bears go to 5-0 on the season.
The Outcome: #8 Kutztown won 42-10.
Shippensburg (1-4, 0-2 PSAC East) at West Chester (1-4, 1-1 PSAC East)
My Prediction: West Chester – The Golden Rams get their first win of the season.
The Outcome: West Chester won 28-10.
Lock Haven (2-3, 1-1 PSAC East) at Shepherd (4-1, 2-0 PSAC East)
My Prediction: Shepherd – The Rams win at home.
The Outcome: Shepherd won 45-38.
East Stroudsburg (4-1, 1-1 PSAC East) at Millersville (0-5, 0-2 PSAC East)
My Prediction: East Stroudsburg – The Warriors bounce back this week with a win.
The Outcome: East Stroudsburg won 57-17.
PSAC WEST
Seton Hill (2-3, 0-1 PSAC West) at Gannon (1-4, 1-1 PSAC West)
My Prediction: Seton Hill – The Griffins win after the bye week.
The Outcome: Gannon won 23-17.
GAME OF THE WEEK
#10 Slippery Rock (5-0, 2-0 PSAC West) at #24 IUP (4-1, 1-1 PSAC West)
My Prediction: #10 Slippery Rock – The Rock spoils homecoming for the Crimson Hawks.
The Outcome: #10 Slippery Rock won 33-32.
California (PA) (4-1, 1-0 PSAC West) at Clarion (2-4, 0-2 PSAC West)
My Prediction: California (PA) – The Vulcans win this one on the road.
The Outcome: California (PA) won 31-27.
Edinboro (1-4, 0-1 PSAC West) was idle this week.
For all the PSAC football fans who follow my column, you can keep up on everything by giving me a follow me on X (Twitter) at @CaryMoyer. I post a lot during the week and on game days, don’t miss out.