September 26th, 2025 7:00pm
Week Four of the season is coming up and Divisional Games start this weekend as the 75th Anniversary for the PSAC continues. All three teams included in this week’s D2Football Top 25 Poll won last week to remain undefeated. #3 Kutztown (3-0, 0-0 PSAC East), #9 Slippery Rock (3-0, 0-0 PSAC West), and #16 California (PA) (3-0,0-0 PSAC West) all look to notch their first win in their respective divisions on Saturday. In addition to these three Top 25 teams, Clarion (4-0, 0-0 PSAC West) is the only other PSAC team remaining undefeated heading into divisional contests.
My PSAC Game of the Week for Week Four is going to be a heavyweight showdown under the lights. #16 California (PA) heads to #9 Slippery Rock on Saturday night to determine who is in the driver’s seat in the PSAC West. That said, don’t count IUP and Clarion out of the mix. All four of these teams mentioned above will be playing each other in the coming weeks and going undefeated in the PSAC West this season will be a daunting task. Keep reading for my PSAC Power Ranking heading into Week Four, a more in depth look at my top seven teams as divisional play starts, and my predictions for all of this week’s games. Side note, I was seven for seven, 100%, in predicting the winners in last week’s Crossover Games. Before we get started looking at Week Four, a reminder on how my PSAC Power Ranking (PPR), what I base my predictions on, works: number one would beat everyone below them, two would beat numbers three on down, and so on. It changes week to week.
PSAC Power Ranking (PPR) heading into Week Four:
PPR (1) - #3 Kutztown (3-0, 0-0 PSAC East) There is still a lot of football to be played, but at this point the Golden Bears have clearly demonstrated that they are the team to beat. Kutztown entered the season with one of the most complete squads returning in all of D2. They have dominated, in all three phases of the game, in every game. Heading into divisional play, they lead the PSAC in scoring on both offense (43.7 PPG) and on defense (7.0 PPG), outscoring their opponents 131-21 in their first three games. As for special teams, they blocked two punts last week, one of which became a scoop and score, blocked a field goal, and returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in their 46-7 win over Gannon . The Golden Bears have two running backs in the top ten in the PSAC, Jaedyn Stewart (83.3 YPG / 3 TDs) and Steven Burkart (69.7 YPG / 1 TD) and a very effective short yardage back in Luke Maxwell who has three touchdowns. Quarterback Judd Novak may not have the eye-popping stats of some other guys in the conference, but he is football smart and a leader who knows how to win. That said, it all starts up front and the Golden Bears have a very veteran and imposing offensive line including two D2 Football Elite 100 Watch List guys for this season with left guard Bily Everitt and left tackle Ryan Schernecke. The defense has picked up right where they left off last season, despite not having the services of last year’s PSAC Defensive Player of the Year, D2 Football Elite 100 defensive lineman, and D2 All-American heavyweight wrestler, Freddie Retter, who did not dress last week in the win over Gannon. The defense is comprised of a bunch of team first guys who complete their assignments. Much like Novak at quarterback, not a bunch of big individual stats but as a group they have the most important one, only averaging giving up seven points a game.
PPR (2) - #9 Slippery Rock (3-0, 0-0 PSAC West) The Rock is currently sixth in the PSAC in scoring offense (33.7 PPG) but the defense is second (13.7 PPG). The progress on offense is headed in the right direction entering into divisional play after thumping Shippensburg last week 42-0. Running back JayJay Jordan is second in the PSAC in rushing (108.7 YPG) with three touchdowns and two 100 yard games and DaOne Owens, who got his first start last week at quarterback after leading the come back win over Shepherd in the fourth quarter and overtime the week before, has ignited the Rock’s offense. Anthony Vespo, who started the season at quarterback was out with an injury and did not dress for Week Three. Latrell Sutton leads the team receiving (56.7 YPG) and has three touchdowns. Defensive back Kayne Thompson, linebackers Jacob Snow and Teddy Gregory Jr., and defensive linemen Brett Kwoka, a D2 Football Elite 100 player, and Mehki Twillie have all been standouts for the defense. On special teams, Joe White leads the PSAC in punt returns with a 20.8 per return average with one touchdown. A big one coming up for the Rock this week as they host #16 California (PA).
PPR (3) - #16 California (PA) (3-0, 0-0 PSAC West) The Vulcans are currently eighth on offense (30.3 PPG) and fourth on defense (16.3 PPG) in the PSAC. Running back Bobbie Boyd, Jr. is ranked fourth in the PSAC averaging 6.0 yards per carry and has 260 yards on the ground with three touchdowns through three games. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Alexie Sangster, Jr. leads the team with 22 tackles and three interceptions. The Vulcans have some hard fought wins under their belt in beating a preseason Top 25 team in Charleston, 23-19, in their opener and a 26-24 win over a good West Chester team, after coming from behind the fourth quarter, before cruising to a 42-6 win over Lock Haven last week heading into this week’s contest with #9 Slippery Rock.
PPR (4) - IUP (2-1, 0-0 PSAC West) The Crimson Hawks have not yet entered the D2 Football Top 25 yet this season, but they may very well end up there in the coming weeks. They are currently third in the PSAC on offense (40.3 PPG) and third on defense (15.7 PPG). Last week the Crimson Hawks produced over 700 yards of offense in their 70-24 win over Millersville. Quarter back Matthew Rueve threw for 443 yards with a single game school record of six touchdown passes. Wide receiver Maurice Massey, a D2 Elite 100 Watch List player, had 173 yards receiving with four touchdown receptions. A reminder, IUP’s only loss was in their opener 13-9 to #25 Ashland who was picked to win the GMAC in their preseason poll before beating, both decisively, Lock Haven 42-10 and Millersville 70-24 last week as previously mentioned.
PPR (5) - East Stroudsburg (2-1, 0-0 PSAC East) The Warriors currently have the fourth ranked offense (38.0 PPG) and the seventh ranked defense (21.0 PPG) in the PSAC. Coming off a bye week, East Stroudsburg will be looking to quarterback Sean McTaggart on offense, and safety Everrette Dingle on defense, to pick up where they left off the previous week with a 69-22 win over Gannon.
PPR (6) - Clarion (4-0, 0-0 PSAC West) The Golden Eagles are currently second on offense (41.0 PPG) and sixth on defense (20.5 PPG) in the PSAC and they are flying high behind the play of quarterback Anthony Guercio who was the D2Football Offensive Player of the Week after his performance last Saturday. He threw for 413 yards, with two touchdown passes, and also ran for 60 yards in the 51-38 win over Shepherd. Running back Khalon Simmons also had four rushing touchdowns in the game. On defense, Griffin Buzzel is second in the PSAC in tackles. If all goes as planned for Clarion, they will remain undefeated after their game this week with Edinboro heading into a bye week. They travel to Gannon after that and could very well be sitting at 6-0 heading into their matchup with #16 California (PA) on October 18th.
PPR (7) - West Chester (2-1, 0-0 PSAC East) The Golden Rams are currently ninth in the PSAC on offense (29.3 PPG) and fifth on defense (18.3 PPG). Quarterback Cooper Jordan is a difference maker. Jordan leads the PSAC in rushing averaging 111.3 yards a game with four rushing touchdowns. He also averages 152 yards a game passing and has five touchdown passes so far this season. On defense, D2 Eliete 100 Watch List linebacker Connor Noble is averaging eight stops per game. The only loss for the Golden Rams so far this season was a close one, 26-24, to #16 California (PA).
PSAC Week Four - Saturday, September 27, 2025 – Divisional Games
PSAC EAST
West Chester (2-1, 0-0 PSAC East) at Millersville (0-3, 0-0 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
West Chester won last week beating Seton Hill 34-16.
Millersville lost last week 70-24 to IUP.
My Prediction: West Chester – The Golden Rams win their division opener as they look to make some noise in the East.
#3 Kutztown (3-0, 0-0 PSAC East) at Shepherd (0-3, 0-0 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
#3 Kutztown won last week beating Gannon 46-7.
Shepherd lost 51-38 last week to Clarion.
My Prediction: #3 Kutztown – The Golden Bears have had a lot of success in their recent trips to the panhandle of West Virginia, especially on defense, and this week’s game should be no different.
East Stroudsburg (2-1, 0-0 PSAC East) at Lock Haven (1-2, 0-0 PSAC East) – 1 PM
East Stroudsburg was idle last week.
Lock Haven lost 42-6 to #16 California (PA) last week.
My Prediction: East Stroudsburg – The Warriors offense looks to put up big numbers again this week as they notch their first win in the division as they look to make a run at the East title.
Bloomsburg (1-2, 0-0 PSAC East) at Shippensburg (0-3, 0-0 PSAC East) - 1 PM
Bloomsburg won last week beating Edinboro 31-28.
Shippensburg lost 42-0 last week to #9 Slippery Rock.
My Prediction: Bloomsburg – The Huskies are trending upward and will battle hard in every East divisional game.
PSAC WEST
IUP (2-1, 0-0 PSAC West) at Seton Hill (2-2, 0-0 PSAC West) – 12 Noon
IUP won last week beating Millersville 70-24.
Seton Hill lost last week 34-16 to West Chester.
My Prediction: IUP – The Crimson Hawks are not to be overlooked and it would be no surprise if they are at the top of the West when all of the dust settles.
Clarion (4-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at Edinboro (1-2, 0-0 PSAC West) – 12 Noon
Clarion won last week beating Shepherd 51-38.
Edinboro lost last week 34-18 to Bloomsburg.
My Prediction: Clarion – The Golden Eagles control their own destiny entering divisional play and start it off with a win this week.
*PSAC Game of the Week*
#16 California (PA) (3-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at #9 Slippery Rock (3-0, 0-0 PSAC West) – 6 PM
#16 California (PA) won last week beating Lock Haven 42-6.
#9 Slippery Rock won last week beating Shippensburg 42-0.
My Prediction: Slippery Rock – The Rock has the edge in this one playing one of their infamous home night games. They open divisional play with a win in this fight of two heavyweight contenders.
Gannon (0-4, 0-0- PSAC West) lost 46-7 to #3 Kutztown last week. They are idle in Week Four. Next up, #9 Slippery Rock at home next weekend.
Future Conference Member Report:
Lackawanna College (NJCCA) – The then ranked #11 Falcons lost this past weekend 49-34 to then ranked #8 Georgia Military College to go to 2-1 on the season. Next up, an away game for the #15 Falcons at #13 Snow College in Ephraim, Utah.
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.