September 12th, 2024 4:00am
Week Two of PSAC Football is coming up and it is a Crossover Week. All of this week’s games will feature teams from the PSAC West visiting teams in the PSAC East. Eight of the 15 teams in the PSAC are still undefeated after Week Zero and Week One action. Two of those teams are members of D2Footballs most recent Top 25 Poll which was released on Monday. Last season’s PSAC Champion and Super Region One Champion, and the preseason pick to win the PSAC East in 2024, #9 Kutztown (1-0, 0-0 PSAC East) and last year’s PSAC West Champion, and preseason pick to win the PSAC West this season, #11 Slippery Rock (1-0, 0-0 PSAC West) both won their season openers last week. The Kutztown Golden Bears have a huge game coming up this week as Edinboro, fresh off a win over DI FCS Robert Morris in Week One, pays a visit to Andre Reed Stadium. The Rock is traveling to West Virginia to take on 1-0 Shepherd who was picked by the coaches to finish second in the PSAC East’s preseason poll. Slippery Rock at Shepherd is my PSAC Game of the Week for Week Two. Keep reading for a preview, and my prediction, of this game and every PSAC game coming up in Week Two. Also, yes it’s only Week Two, I am breaking out My PSAC Power Ranking early this season. Here is how it works, heading into Week Two, I would predict number one to beat everyone below them, number two to beat numbers three on down, etc., that’s the method behind it.
PSAC Power Ranking heading into Week Two:
PSAC Week Two - Saturday, September 14, 2024 – West at East Crossover Week
Edinboro (1-1, 0-0 PSAC West) at #9 Kutztown (1-0, 0-0 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
Edinboro beat DI FCS Robert Morris (NEC) 23-21 last week after losing to East Stroudsburg (PSAC East) in Week Zero. In the win over RMU, wide receiver Teagan Brown had eight catches for 80 yards and scored the first touchdown of the night. He was a big factor in several of the Fighting Scots drives. For his performance Brown was named the PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week. Throwing Brown the ball was quarterback Isaac Bernard. He was 20 of 27 passing for 161 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception. Tight end Clayton Bezon also had a touchdown reception. Caron Robison led the ground game for Edinboro rushing for 91 yards on 16 carries. On the other side of the ball, linebacker Wilfredo Diaz led the way with16 tackles and two tackles for a loss. Linebacker Tristan Waldier had five tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and a sack. On Special teams, The Fighting Scots punter, Reed Martin, was named the PSAC West Special Teams Athlete of the Week. Martin, no stranger to receiving honors for the performances he has, punted six times averaging 43.5 yards per punt. He dropped two punts inside the opponents 20-yard line including a 74 yarder downed at the one yard line which led the Edinboro’s game winning safety. He also executed an onside kick which set up his team’s first touchdown of the game.
#9 Kutztown beat Assumption (NE10) 24-6 last week. Assumption was picked to finish third in the NE10 preseason poll. Quarterback Judd Novak was 12 of 19 passing for 129 yards and a touchdown while also rushing 10 times for 87 yards including an 80-yard touchdown run. Wide receiver Kurtis Ravenel Jr. had five catches and tight end Tyreek Husser had a touch grab. The offensive line, led by D2Football Elite 100 Watch List player Adam Kase, earned the Golden Bears offensive player of the game recognition in the win. On the other side of the ball, defensive lineman Freddie Retter had seven tackles, a sack, and also recovered two fumbles one of which was for a safety. His performance last week earned him PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week honors. Linebacker Brandon Hile had nine tackles, defensive lineman Kyree Butler had eight, linebacker Jalen Devose had seven tackles, linebacker Eden Johnson had seven stops and a sack. Kutztown’s secondary, led by D2Football Elite 100 Watch List defensive back CJ Brown, only allowed 42 passing yards in the game and surrendered no touchdowns through the air. The Golden Bears only gave up 132 yards of total offense in win.
My Prediction: #9 Kutztown - The Golden Bears remain the team to beat in the PSAC. Thes two teams last met in 2018 and Kutztown won that one 33-32.
#11 Slippery Rock (1-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at Shepherd (1-0, 0-0 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
#11 Slippery Rock beat New Haven (NE10), who won the NE10 last year, 22-7 last week. New Haven, a playoff team from a year ago, was also picked to win the NE10 this year in the conference’s preseason poll. On offense, D2football Elite 100 Watch List quarterback Brayden Long was 17 of 28 for 129 yards with two touchdown passes. Long is 13-3 as the starting quarterback for the Rock. D2Football Elite 100 Watch list running back Idris Lawerence averaged 6.1 yards per carry while running back Chris D’Or led the team with 83 yards rushing on 14 carries. Wide receiver Tony Grimes had five catches in the game and tight end Kam Kruzelyak and wide receiver Mike Solomon both had receiving touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Eddie Faulkner IV had a huge game with seven solo tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble, broke up two passes, and had a fumble recovery that he took 32 yards to the house. His performance earned him PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week. Safety Michael Henwood had two picks in the game along with seven tackles and a tackle for a loss while D2Football Elite 100 Watch List defensive back Josh Stokes led the team in tackles with eight. Defensive lineman Todd Hill made plays up front with six tackles and two tackles for a loss.
Shepherd beat Southern Connecticut State (NE10) last week 23-0. SCSU was picked to finish seventh in the NE10 preseason poll. On offense, running back Malakai Brown ran the ball 19 times for 163 yards, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. He had a touchdown run of 55 yards and also had three receptions in the game for 26 yards. His performance earned him PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week. Quarterback Lek Powell was 11 of 19 for 130 yards with two touchdowns in the game. Grant Swinehart had 88 yards rushing on 14 carries. In addition to Brown, Cameron Dorner and Jack Rosnage also had three catches each. Rosnage and Jeremiah Taylor, a D2Football Elite 100 Watch List Player, both had receiving touchdowns. The offensive line, led by D2Football Elite 100 Watch List player Ty Lucas, paved the way for 400 yards of total offense in the game. On defense, Klayton Batten had eight tackles, and Miles Greer and Brodie Carroll both had six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack. This unit only allowed the opponent 179 yards of total offense in the game while pitching a shutout.
My Prediction: #11 Slippery Rock - The Rock wins this early season game between two playoffs teams from a year ago. The last time these two teams met was in Round Two of the 2022 Super Region One Playoffs. I was at that game. Quarterback Tyson Bagent, now with the NFL’s Bears, led the Rams to a 37-27 win over Slippery Rock in that one.
California (PA) (0-1, 0-0 PSAC West) at West Chester (0-1, 0-0 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
California (PA) lost to Charleston (MEC) 23-19 last week. Charleston was picked to win the MEC in the conference’s preseason poll. Quarterback Davis Black was 19 of 37 for 161 yards but did throw two interceptions. Black had a rushing touchdown. Running back Bobby Boyd Jr. rushed the ball 22 times for 119 yards and one touchdown. Eric McKan III rushed for 73 yards on 14 carries. Wide receiver Eric Willis III, a D2Football Elite 100 Watch List player, had six catches for 54 yards. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Khalil Taylor led the team in tackles with five and had one interception. On special teams, veteran kicker Anthony Beitko made two field goals, one from 25 yards and the other from 28 yards out.
West Chester lost to Bentley (NE10) 20-17 last week on a last second field goal after taking an early lead going up 14-0 after scoring on their first two possessions of the game. Bentley was picked to finish second in the NE10 preseason poll. The opener at home marked the head coaching debut of Duke Greco who was hired in the off season after Bill Zwaan, the winningest coach in program history, retired. Quarterback Jordan Cooper was 9 of 17 for 108 yards with one passing touchdown. He also ran for 56 yards on 15 carries. Running back Dayshawn Jacobs led the team in rushing gaining 68 yards on 10 carries. He also had a rushing touchdown. Robby Longo led the receivers with four catches for 68 yards and D’Shaun Seals had three grabs including a receiving touchdown. On defense, linebacker Connor Noble picked right up where he left off last season recording 14 tackles and a tackle for loss. Defensive lineman Jack Fry had nine tackles in the game.
My Prediction: California (PA) - The Vulcans handle business on the road in this one and get into the win column. The last time these two teams played, in 2019, the Golden Rams beat the Vulcans 20-19.
Clarion (2-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at Shippensburg (0-1, 0-0 PSAC East) – 1 PM
Clarion beat Lincoln (PA) (CIAA) 20-9 last week after getting a season opening win at Millersville (PSAC East) in week Zero. In the win over Lincoln, quarterback Anthony Guercio was 11 of 23 for 149 yards with a passing touchdown. He was also the team’s leading rusher with 90 yards on 18 attempts and had a rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Trevon Tate had 107 receiving yards on five catches including one touchdown. On defense, linebacker Griffin Buzzell led the team with 8 tackles. Defensive back Ryan Stahl had seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and one sack. Defensive lineman Jake Tarburton had three tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack while defensive lineman Colton Irwin had two tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a sack. On special teams, it is worth noting Clarion’s ability to block kicks, blocking two punts and an extra point attempt in last week’s game.
Shippensburg lost to American International (NE10) 28-3 last week. Quarterback Joey McCracken was 14 of 25 for 92 yards. The Raiders have started the season with a very young offensive line and they should only get better as the season progresses and they start to gel. In his first career start, linebacker Sam Emge led the defense with nine tackles and .5 tackles for a loss. Linebacker Javon Cruz had four tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a sack.
My Prediction: Clarion - The Golden Eagles go to 3-0 on the season with a win in this one. These two teams last met in 2021 and Shippensburg was victorious in that one putting up 62 points in the 62-33 win.
Seton Hill (0-2, 0-0 PSAC West) at Bloomsburg (1-0, 0-0 PSAC East) - 2 PM
Seton Hill lost to Ohio Dominican (GMAC) 21-14 last week sliding to 0-2 after a 56-24 Week Zero loss on the road at Fairmont State (MEC). Quarterback Jake Cruz was 12 of 24 passing for 148 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Running back Ky’Ron Craggette went over 100 yards in the game with 104 on 20 carries with a touchdown. Tight end Ethan Frame led the receivers with six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Richard Johnson, Ritchie McCormack, and D’Kairi Boone all had seven tackles. Defensive lineman Dom Caracciolo had four tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one sack in the game.
Bloomsburg beat Fairmont State (MEC) 35-7 last week. Quarterback Ben Ries was 12 of 18 for 182 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Ries also had a touchdown run. Matt Buchman led the rushing attack with 94 yards on 15 carries and he also had one touchdown. Riley Parker also scored a rushing touchdown for the Huskies. Wide receiver Jerry Griffin-Batchler had four receptions for 80 yards which included two touchdowns. In addition to his performance on offense, on special teams as a punt returner Griffin-Batchler returned four punts for 70 yards. Averaging 17.5 yards per return he set up his team with good field position throughout the game. His performance in Bloomsburg’s win earned him PSAC East Special Teams Athlete of the Week honors. On defense, linebacker Brady Thompson led the Huskies with eight tackles and he also had .5 tackles for a loss. Defensive lineman Charles Crews III had 3 tackles, .5 tackles for a loss, and .5 sacks in the win.
My Prediction: Bloomsburg - The Huskies handled the common opponent of these two teams, Fairmont State, 35-7 in Week One while Seton Hill fell to the Falcons 56-24 in Week Zero. The last meeting of these two teams was in 2021. Seton Hill won that game 13-7.
IUP (1-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at Lock Haven (1-0, 0-0 PSAC East) – 6 PM
IUP beat a traditionally tough Ashland (GMAC) team 19-10 last week. Quarterback Karst Hunter was 17 of 25 for 176 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also ran the ball 14 times for 34 yards. Running back Adam Houser led the team with 72 rushing yards on 16 carries. He also had one touchdown. Wide receiver Cyair Clark had five receptions for 54 yards. Wide receiver Maurice Massey had a touchdown catch. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Charles Ingram led the team with 11 tackles and a tackle for a loss. Preseason D2Football Elite 100 Watch List linebacker Garrett Cox, who played at Millersville last season, had 10 tackles and .5 tackles for a loss. D2Football Elite 100 Watch List player, defensive back, Darius Bruce had eight tackles, all of them solo, a tackle for a loss, and a sack. Defensive end Randy Okungu had five tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and a sack while fellow defensive end Logan Goodwin recorded a tackle, a tackle for a loss, and a sack.
Lock Haven beat Glenville State (MEC) 31-9 in their opener. Quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky was 15 of 24 for 201 yards passing with two touchdown tosses. KJ Howard had 154 yards rushing on 21 carries, averaging 7.3 yards per carry, with a touchdown. Jacob Strum also had a rushing touchdown for the Bald Eagles. T-iar Young and Corahn Alleyne both had receiving touchdowns. On defense, linebacker Rocco Daugherty was the standout, tied for the team high in tackles with five, but he also had two interceptions in the game. Defensive back Davien Vernon also had an interception.
My Prediction: IUP – The Crimson Hawks top the on the rise Bald Eagles in this early season match up. These two teams last played in 2019 and IUP won 77-14. I anticipate this year’s contest will be a lot closer of a game than that one.
Gannon (0-1, 0-0 PSAC West) at East Stroudsburg (2-0, 0-0 PSAC East) – 6:05 PM
Gannon lost to Northwood (GMAC) 28-14 last week. Quarterback Jayden Whitaker was 18 of 32 for 289 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception. Running back David Morgan ran for 24 yards on nine carries. Wide receiver Donell Mason had a huge night for the Golden Knights. He had eight catches for 181 yards with a touchdown. Wide receiver Braeden Soboleski also had a receiving touchdown. On defense, linebacker Hayden McDonald led the team with 17 tackles and he also had .5 tackles for a loss. Linebacker Trey Baker was also in double digits with stops. He had 10 tackles and two tackles for a loss. On special teams, punter Bryson Costa punted seven times with an average of 50.3 yards per punt. His longest was 58 yards, he had five over 50, and he downed two inside the opponents 20 yard line.
East Stroudsburg beat Pace (NE10) 41-6 last week after notching a season opening win over Edinboro (PSAC West) in Week Zero. In the win over Pace, quarterback Sean McTaggart was 15 of 23 for 195 yards, with two touchdown passes and an interception. He was not sacked at all. Running back Tahir Mills hit 100 yards on 13 carries averaging 7.7 yards per rush. Running back Tyriq Lewis ran for 89 yards on 10 carries, averaging 8.9 yards per rush, and had a touchdown. Neither of these backs had a negative yards rushing attempt for the entire game. No sacks and no negative yards rushing for the top two backs lets you know about the performance of the Warriors offensive line. 12 different players caught passes in the win with Randy Fizer and Evan Roche both having receiving touchdowns over 20 yards. The Warriors put up 449 yards of offense in the game. The defense also dominated. Raymond Simmons IV led the team with eight tackles. Terrell Reynolds had five tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. Lucas Skelley had 1.5 sacks and Trenton Dunnick had a sack to give the team five sacks in the game. East Stroudsburg’s defense held the opponent to 21 yards rushing.
My Prediction: East Stroudsburg – The Warriors continue to make a statement early in this 2024 season by starting 3-0. The last meeting of these two teams was in 2021. The Golden Knights won that one 13-10.
Millersville (0-2, 0-0 PSAC East) is idle due to Mercyhurst leaving the PSAC. The Marauders lost 36-7 to Clarion (PSAC West) in Week Zero and 23-6 to Frostburg State (MEC) in Week One. The bye week gives the Ville an extra week to get ready for IUP (PSAC West) in Week Three.
I will be in Kutztown on Saturday to cover Edinboro’s visit to Andre Reed Stadium for D2Football. I enjoyed many great conversations with fans at Golden Bears games I was at last season. If you see me at the game, please feel free to say hello.
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.