November 9th, 2023 5:00pm
Divisional play in the PSAC is over and this week, Week Eleven, brings PSAC Crossover Games to conclude the regular season. The West will be crossing over to the East this year meaning the PSAC Championship Game will be played at Andre Reed Stadium in Kutztown. D2Football.com nationally ranked #5 Slippery Rock (10-0, 7-0 PSAC West) will be squaring off with Kutztown (8-2, 7-0 PSAC East) in the PSAC Championship Game. Both have their sights set on the PSAC Championship and a spot in the Super Region One Playoffs. Two other Super Region One Playoffs hopefuls, California (PA) (7-2, 6-1 PSAC West) and East Stroudsburg (8-2, 5-2 PSAC East) will be going head-to-head at Eiler-Martin Stadium in East Stroudsburg. At Ram Stadium in Shepherdstown, WV, the fifth Super Region One Playoff hopeful, Shepherd (8-2, 5-2 PSAC East) will play host to Mercyhurst (2-8, 1-6 PSAC West).
The latest Super Region One Top 10 list for 2023 was released by the NCAA Football Committee earlier this week. After this week’s Week Eleven games are played, seven teams, from the 46 teams in the region, will be placed on the Super Region One Playoff Bracket. The Super Region Playoff Brackets reveal will be on Sunday November 12, 2023, via livestream by the NCAA sometime around 5 pm. The top ranked team in each Super Region, currently Slippery Rock in Super Region One, will get a bye week in round one. Round one starts next week, on Saturday November 18, 2023, and the playoffs will run through Saturday December 16, 2023, when the NCAA Division II Championship Game will be played. Here is the NCAA Football Committee’s list for Super Region One from this past Monday, November 6, 2023:
Last week I was correct in predicting the winners in seven out of the eight Week Ten divisional games played. For the season, I have predicted the winners in 67 out of 87 (77%) of the games played by teams in the PSAC. Below is my preview for each game this week and my prediction for who will win each contest in this last week of the season in the PSAC.
*PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME*
#5 Slippery Rock (10-0, 7-0 PSAC West) at Kutztown (8-2, 7-0 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
Kutztown beat West Chester 27-17 last week. The Golden Bears have now won the PSAC East outright three of the last four seasons. They have the ninth ranked offense in the PSAC averaging 22.5 points scored per game. Quarterback Judd Novak is currently sixth in the PSAC, and second in the PSAC East, averaging 176 yards passing per game. He has 13 touchdown passes on the season. Wide receiver Kurtis Ravenel Jr. is sixth in the PSAC, and second in the PSAC East, in receiving averaging 62.6 yards per game. Kutztown has the number one ranked defense in the PSAC averaging only allowing 14.7 points per game. Defensive linemen Nigel Wilson and Brayden Pohlman both have five sacks on the season and linebacker Tyler Whary has 4.5 for the Golden Bears. Punter Nate Millard continues to lead the PSAC with a 44.4 yards per punt average and has dropped 10 inside the opponent’s 20 this season. He has 11 punts over 50 yards with his longest being 66 yards.
#5 Slippery Rock beat Edinboro 56-18 last week. The Rock has the number one ranked offense in the PSAC averaging scoring 46 points per game. Quarterback Brayden Long completed 85% of his passes, going 23 for 27, and threw for 400 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in last week’s win over Mercyhurst. His performance in the game earned him PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week honors. He is the top passer in the PSAC throwing for an average of 287.9 yards per game. He also leads the PSAC with 32 touchdown passes and has thrown only two interceptions through the first 10 games of this season. Long also leads all of Division II football with a passer efficiency rating of 181.3 so far this season. Wide receiver Kyle Sheets leads the PSAC in receiving averaging 99.7 yards per game and he also leads the PSAC in touchdown catches with 14. Wide receiver Cohen Russell is third in the PSAC with an average of 87.3 receiving yards per game. He has five touchdown catches on the season. Running back Khalid Dorsey has nine touchdowns for the Rock averaging 74.5 yards a game on the ground which is seventh best in the PSAC. On defense, Josh Stokes is tied for first in the PSAC with five interceptions and defensive back Ben Lane leads the PSAC in fumble recoveries with three. The Rock is fourth in the PSAC on defense allowing an average of 20.5 points per game. On special teams, Kylon Wilson is tied for second in the PSAC in kickoff returns averaging 27.6 yards per return.
My Prediction: #5 Slippery Rock – This game has the potential to be one talked about for a long time. It is a match-up of the number one offense going up against the number one defense in the PSAC. The Rock has a multidimensional offense with an elite quarterback, multiple receiving threats, and a stable of running backs that all have their strengths based upon down, distance, and field position. It all starts up front with the offensive line, which is second to none. Once things click, sometimes in the second or third quarter, the flood gates open and the scoreboard keeps changing fast. That said, Kutztown does not have the number one defense for nothing, they can shut down the pass and the run game. If the Golden Bears can play consistent and mistake free football throughout the entirety of the game this one could be a nail biter for both sides in the fourth quarter.
Mercyhurst (2-8, 1-6 PSAC West) at Shepherd (8-2, 5-2 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
Mercyhurst lost 14-0 to Seton Hill last week. Quarterback Adam Urena is fourth in the PSAC in passing averaging throwing for 236.1 yards per game. He has 21 touchdown passes on the season. Linebacker Tyler Buterbaugh is eight in the PSAC averaging 8.0 tackles per game. He also has two sacks on the season. Mercyhurst’s defense is ranked last in the PSAC averaging giving up 41.3 points per game.
Shepherd beat East Stroudsburg 44-17 last week. Quarterback Seth Morgan is currently the second ranked quarterback in the PSAC, and highest from the East, averaging 246.5 yards per game passing. He has 19 touchdown passes. Running back Malaki Brown is currently second in the PSAC in rushing with an 91.6 yards per game average. He has six rushing touchdowns on the season. Wide receiver Jermia Taylor is fifth in the PSAC in receiving averaging 68.4 yards per game. He has six touchdowns on the season. Shepherd’s offense is currently fourth in the PSAC averaging 29.8 points scored per game. The Rams’ defense is fifth in the PSAC averaging only allowing 21 points per game. On special teams, defensive back and return specialist Miles Greer had a standout performance in last week’s win over East Stroudsburg. Greer had three punt returns for 65 yards and a kickoff return of 30 yards totaling 95 yards of returns in the game. His performance earned him PSAC East Special Teams Athlete of the Week honors. Greer leads the PSAC with an average pint return of 16.9 yards per return with one returned for a touchdown this season. Previously mentioned second ranked running back in the PSAC, Malaki Brown, is also tied for second in the PSAC in kickoff returns. He is averaging 27.6 yards per return with one return for a touchdown this season.
My Prediction: Shepherd – The Rams handle business at home and secure a spot in the Super Region One Playoffs.
Seton Hill (5-5, 4-3 PSAC West) at Millersville (3-7, 1-6 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
Seton Hill beat Mercyhurst 14-0 last week. The Griffins finished PSAC West play at 4-3, the first time they finished above .500 in the division in school history. Running back Ky’Ron Craggette is fifth in the PSAC in rushing averaging 81.1 yards per game. He has nine rushing touchdowns on the season. On defense, Ben Weaver has seven sacks on the season which has him tied for fourth in the PSAC in that category.
Millersville lost 34-31 to Bloomsburg last week. Freshman Brett Nye made his first start at quarterback. He was 23 for 34 for 156 yards passing in the loss. Running back Jaheim Morris is sixth in the PSAC in rushing averaging 76.1 yards per game. Morris has four rushing touchdowns on the season. On defense, linebacker Garrett Cox continues to be an elite defensive player in the PSAC. He is tied for first in the PSAC in tackles, averaging 10 per game with 100 total, first in tackles for loss, averaging 1.6 a game with 16 on the season, and is tied for second in the PSAC in sacks with 7.5. On special teams, Mekhi Alexander is second in the PSAC in punt returns averaging 9.8 yards per return.
My Prediction: Seton Hill – The Griffins get win number six on the saeon to finish over .500 and continue to be a team on the rise.
Clarion (2-8, 1-6 PSAC West) at West Chester (5-5, 3-4 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
Clarion lost 39-27 to IUP last week. Linebacker Griffin Buzzell is tenth in the PSAC averaging 7.4 tackles per game. Defensive lineman Jake Tarburton is fourth in the PSAC in tackles for loss averaging 1.3 a game with a total of 13 on the season. Johnny Hutton is tied for first in the PSAC averaging 1.11 passes defended per game.
West Chester lost 27-17 last week to the PSAC East Champion Kutztown. The biggest news for the Golden Rams came after the game. Head Coach Bill Zwaan announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season. Heading into this last game, he is 162-76 in 21 seasons at West Chester and 216-90 overall as a head coach. Linebacker Connor Noble is tied for first in the PSAC in tackles averaging 10 stops per game. He also has five sacks on the season.
My Prediction: West Chester – The Golden Rams get win number six on the season to finish over .500 and send Coach Zwaan out on a positive note.
IUP (5-5, 3-4 PSAC West) at Bloomsburg (3-7, 2-5 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
IUP beat Clarion 39-27 last week. In return to action after being out for a few games, quarterback Karst Hunter accounted for four total touchdowns in the win over the Golden Eagles. Hunter is the fifth ranked quarterback in the PSAC averaging throwing for 197 yards per game. He has 14 touchdown passes on the season. Running back Dayjure Stewart is tenth in the PSAC in rushing averaging 67.7 yards per game. He has five rushing touchdowns on the season. IUP has the fifth ranked offense in the PSAC averaging scoring 25.8 points per game. Defensive back Darius Bruce had a stellar performance in the win over Clarion. He had five solo tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, forced a fumble, and had two pass breakups. He also blocked a field goal on special teams. Bruce’s performance earned him PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week honors. Defensive end Cole Weightman is tied for second in the PSAC with 7.5 sacks and he is fourth in tackles for loss averaging 1.4 a game with 14 total on the season. Linebacker Drew Dinuzio-Biss is fifth in the PSAC in tackles averaging 8.4 stops per game. He also has 4.5 sacks on the season. The Crimson Hawks have the seventh ranked defense in the PSAC averaging allowing 21.7 points per game. On special teams, Cyair Clarke leads the PSAC averaging 28.5 yards per kickoff return.
Bloomsburg beat Millersville 34-31 last week. Running back Kaleb Monaco ran for 90 yards on 27 carries in the win with two rushing touchdowns. He also had two catches for 14 yards and returned two kickoffs for 58 yards. His performance in the game earned him PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week honors. Monaco is currently third in the PSAC in rushing averaging 89.6 yards per game. He has six rushing touchdowns on the season and has run for 896 yards so far with one game left to go. The junior now has 2,119 rushing yards for his career with the Huskies. The Huskies have the number two defense in the PSAC only allowing an average of 20.2 points per game.
My Prediction: IUP – The Crimson Hawks get the win number six on the road to finish the season above .500.
Edinboro (2-8, 1-6 PSAC West) at Lock Haven (5-5, 3-4 PSAC East) – 1 PM
Edinboro lost 56-18 to Slippery Rock last week. CJ Waldier is fourth in the PSAC in tackles averaging 8.8 stops per game.
Lock Haven beat Shippensburg 21-7 last week. With the win, the Bald Eagles captured their first five-win season in over 40 years. Running back Chris Collier was named PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week for his performance last week. He has amassed 1,233 yards rushing through the first 10 games this year. Collier is the top rusher in the PSAC averaging 123.3 yards per game. He also has 11 rushing touchdowns which is first in the PSAC. He needs just 86 more yards in this upcoming game to break the single season rushing record at Lock Haven. On defense, linebacker Jaderian Johnson is tied for fourth in the PSAC with seven sacks and linebacker Cody Romano leads the PSAC in forced fumbles with three.
My Prediction: Lock Haven – The Coach Mulrooney led “Locked In” Bald Eagles get win number six and this team on the rise heads into the off-season building momentum for 2024.
California (PA) (7-2, 6-1 PSAC West) at East Stroudsburg (8-2, 5-2 PSAC East) – 1 PM
California (PA) beat Gannon 34-17 last week. The Vulcans have the second ranked offense in the PSAC averaging scoring 35.2 points per game. Davis Black is the third ranked quarterback in the PSAC averaging 240.1 yards per game. He has 18 touchdown passes on the season. Wide receiver Eric Willis III is second in the PSAC averaging 93.3 yards receiving per game. He has eight touchdown receptions on the season. Willis III is also third in the PSAC in punt returns averaging 9.4 yards per return. Running back Eric Mckan III is eight in the PSAC in rushing averaging 70.9 yards per game. He has eight rushing touchdowns on the season. On defense, the Vulcans are sixth in the PSAC averaging allowing 21.4 points per game. Ibrahim Sanogo leads the PSAC in sacks with eight. He is second in the PSAC averaging 1.5 tackles for loss per game with 13.5 total on the season. Defensive back Keith Charney is tied for first in the PSAC in passes defended averaging 1.11 per game, with 10 on the season, and is also tied for third in the PSAC in interceptions, he has four on the season with one returned for a touchdown. On special teams, in the win over Gannon last week, kicker Anthony Beitko stood out. He had two field goals, from 35 and 27, and made all four extra points he attempted in the win. He also averaged 59 yards per kick on seven kickoffs. His performance in the game earned him PSAC West Special Teams Athlete of the Week honors.
East Stroudsburg lost 44-17 to Shepherd last week. The Warriors have the number three ranked offense in the PSAC averaging scoring 33.7 points per game. Running back Tyriq Lewis is ninth in the PSAC averaging 70.8 yards per game rushing. He has eight touchdowns on the season. On defense, linebacker Sergei Felizor had 15 tackles, 14 of which were solo, in the game with Shepherd last week. He also forced a fumble and blocked an extra point. His performance in the game earned him PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week honors. Felizor is third in the PSAC in tackles averaging 8.8 per game on the season. He has 88 total stops through the first 10 games. The Warriors are tied for the third ranked defense in the PSAC averaging only allowing 20.5 points per game.
My Prediction: California (PA) – The Vulcans get the edge in this one on the road in a game both teams need to win to definitively secure their spot in the Super Region One playoffs. This game has all the makings to come down to a fight to the finish and can go either way.
Gannon (5-5, 5-2 PSAC West) at Shippensburg (2-8, 2-5 PSAC East) – 1 PM
Gannon lost 34-17 to California (PA) last week. Running back Donny Marcus is currently third in the PSAC averaging 86.7 yards per game on the ground. He has one rushing touchdown. Donell Mason is fourth in the PSAC in receiving with an average of 73.5 yards per game. He also has four touchdown catches this season. On defense, defensive back Kam Snell is tied for first in the PSAC in interceptions with five, one going for a touchdown. Defensive back Chris Farnsworth is ninth in the PSAC in tackles averaging 7.6 stops per game. On special teams, kicker Eric Scarpino is the number one kicker in the PSAC. He is perfect on field goals, 15 for 15 with a long of 51, and extra points this season.
Shippensburg lost 21-7 to Lock Haven last week. Shippensburg offense is ranked last in the PSAC averaging only scoring 14.3 points per game. Defensive lineman Jacoby Sherard is tied for third in the PSAC in sacks with seven.
My Prediction: Gannon – The Golden Knights get win number six on the road to end the season over .500.