September 4th, 2025 8:30am
Week One of the 2025 PSAC Football season is here and 13 of the 15 PSAC teams have games against non-league opponents this week. Five teams were in action last week, in week Zero, and a recap of how those games turned out is included in this week’s preview. In case you missed it, D2 National Columnist, and fellow Pennsylvanian, Chuck Bitner and I did two PSAC Preview Shows, one for the East and one for the West, last week before the 2025 season kicked off with Week Zero action. Each show was about an hour in length and in addition to talking about each team and their outlook for 2025, we also talked about this year being the 75th Anniversary for the PSAC. Some teams have been here since the beginning, some have come, some have gone, and we also discussed looking forward to the future when Lackawanna College, with a storied football history, joins the conference. If you didn’t get to watch the shows yet, head on over to the D2 Football website to check them out. The link to my column, which also has the link to the preview shows, can be found on my profile @CaryMoyer on X (Twitter). As we head into Week One action, three teams from the PSAC are currently in our D2 Top 25. Last year’s PSAC Champion, Kutztown (PSAC East) checks in at #4, last year’s Super Region One Champion, Slippery Rock (PSAC West) is at #9, and Super Region One playoff team from a year ago, California (PA), is at #18. This year’s Week One spans over three days, keep reading to find out more about the upcoming games.
PSAC West Preview
PSAC East Preview
Thursday 9/4/25
#21 University of Charleston (1-0, 0-0 MEC) at #18 California (PA) (0-0, 0-0 PSAC West) - 6 PM
Game of the Week! This one is a matchup of two D2 Top 25 teams.
#18 California (PA) looks to pick up where they left off last season after making a run in the Super Region One Playoffs. The Vulcans return running back Robbie Boyd, Jr as well as wide receiver D’Avay Johnson and offensive lineman Jacob King. On the defensive side of the ball expect to hear a lot about defensive back Keith Charney and linebacker Grant Hopple this season.
Last week, #21 Charleston won their opener at home in Week Zero beating Livingstone College 39-10. Quarterback Ean Hamric was 20 of 27 for 285 yards and had five touchdowns. Charleston was picked to win the MEC in their preseason football poll.
Clarion (1-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at West Virginia Wesleyan (0-1, 0-0 MEC) – 6 PM
Clarion beat Wheeling (MEC) in Week Zero 34-0. Defensive back Zay Brisbane was named the PSAC defensive athlete of the week for his performance in the win. He had four tackles and four pass break-ups. Griffin Buzzell had 11 tackles in the game. On offense, quarterback Anthony Guercio threw for 230 yards with two touchdowns and also ran for 51 yards with two touchdowns.
West Virginia Wesleyan lost to Post 51-14 in Week Zero. They were picked to finish last at number nine in the MEC preseason poll.
Bloomsburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) at Fairmont State University (1-0, 0-0 MEC) - 7 PM
Bloomsburg returns standout wide receiver Jerry-Griffen-Batchler on offense as a top target for returning quarterback KJ Riley. On defense, the Huskies return Brady Thompson, one of last seasons top tacklers in the PSAC.
Fairmont State beat Seton Hill (PSAC West) 24-21 in Week Zero action. They were picked to finish second in the MEC’s preseason poll.
#25 Ashland (0-0, 0-0 GMAC) at IUP (0-0, 0-0 PSAC West) - 7 PM
IUP is 5-0 in this series all time. IUP will have a former GMAC Quarterback from Findlay, Matthew Rueve, leading the offense to start this 2025 season and he will be looking to target D2 Elite 100 Watch List wide receiver Maurice Massey. A noteworthy addition to the coaching staff, Frank Cignetti, Jr. returns to IUP in 2025 as the Offensive Coordinator. IUP also has a D2 Elite 100 Watch List player on the other side of the ball, David Awuah, at defensive back.
#25 Ashland was picked to win the GMAC in the football coaches’ preseason poll. They made the Super Region One Playoffs last season and fell to California (PA) (PSAC West) in the second round. Running back Ty’aris Stevenson returns this season after rushing for 929 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Defensive end Michael Shimek also returns. He had 59 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss, a season ago.
Assumption (0-0, 0-0 NE10) at #4 Kutztown (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) - 7 PM
#4 Kutztown is the defending PSAC Champion. It all starts up front for the Golden Bears who landed three linemen on the D2 Elite 100 Watchlist. Retuning PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, and All-American wrestler, Freddie Retter is one of the three. On offense, the two offensive linemen who made the list are Ryan Schernecke and Billy Everitt. Veteran quarterback Judd Novak returns to lead the offense along with running backs Steven Burkardt and Jaedyn Stewart. On defense, behind Retter and fellow defensive lineman Kyree Butler, a trio of veteran linebackers return in Eden Johnson, Brandon Hile, and Brandon Strausser. Veteran Nate Millard returns to handle kicking duties on special teams. In all reality, the Golden Bears return one of the most complete teams in all of D2 and the expectations are high for this squad.
Assumption was picked to finish third (tie with Franklin Pierce) in the NE10 preseason coaches’ poll.
Frostburg State (1-0, 0-0 MEC) at Millersville (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) - 7 pm
Millersville heads into this 2025 season with two new coordinators, both of whom have been head coaches. Brian Ferguson, formerly head coach at Concord (MEC), takes over the offense for the Marauders and on the other side of the ball, Ralph Clark returns to Millersville as defensive coordinator. Clark was the first head coach for Alvernia, a Pennsylvania D3 program, when they started a football program in 2017.
Last week, Frostburg State beat Shepherd (PSAC East) 41-27. Frostburg State was picked to finish fourth in the MEC’s preseason poll.
Pace (0-1, 0-0 NE10) at East Stroudsburg (0-1, 0-0 PSAC East) at 7:05 PM
East Stroudsburg opened their season at home last week, in Week Zero, and lost to Edinboro (PSAC West) 29-14. After being picked to finish second in the PSAC East preseason coaches’ poll it was not the start of the season the Warriors wanted but they have a chance to turn things around this week against Pace. In last week’s loss, quarterback Sean McTaggart threw for 170 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions. His 38 yards rushing was the team high while running for two touchdowns. Defensive back Everette Dingle, a D2 Elite 100 Watch List Player, led the team in tackles with 11.
Pace lost a NE10 game last week, in Week Zero, to Saint Anselm 34-10.. Running back Jhamier Howard was the NE10 Special Teams Player of the Week in Week Zero averaging 50 yards per kickoff return including a 95-yard touchdown. They were picked to finish seventh, out of eight teams, in the NE10 preseason coaches’ poll.
Friday 9/5/25
#9 Slippery Rock (0-0, 0-0 PSAC West) at Franklin Pierce University (0-0, 0-0 NE10) - 6 PM
#9 Slippery Rock once again will have a solid offensive line including D2 Elite 100 Watch List left offensive tackle Joe Cooper. There will be a lot of new faces at the skills positions including Northern State quarterback transfer Anthony Vespo. On the defensive side of the ball, Brett Kwoka, who was an All PSAC East selection at Shepherd, is a D2 Elite 100 Watchlist Player on the defensive line heading into this 2025 season. The linebackers look to be solid group with Jacob Snow and Teddy Gregory returning. On special teams, there will also be a lot of new faces from a season ago. Regardless, the Rock, under Head Coach Shawn Lutz, has shown time and time again that they reload, with next guys up and transfers, to fill any needs that they have.
Franklin Pierce was picked to finish third (tie with Assumption) in the NE10 preseason coaches’ poll.
Saturday 9/6/25
West Chester (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) at Bentley University (0-0, 0-0 NE10) - 12 Noon
West Chester finished 4-6 a year ago but made strides in the second half of the season under then first year head coach Duke Greco. Heading into 2025, the defense will be anchored by D2 Elite 100 Watch List linebacker Connor Noble. On offense, PSAC 2024 East Offensive Athlete of the year, Cooper Jordan, returns at quarterback.
Bentley was picked to finish first in the NE10 preseason coaches’ poll. Wide receiver Rashon Bradford and linebacker Henry Shouten are a D2 Elite 100 Watch List Players heading into this season.
Seton Hill (0-1, 0-0 PSAC West) at West Liberty University (0-1, 0-0 MEC) - 1 PM
Seton Hill lost last week in Week Zero, 24-21 to Fairmount State (MEC). D2 Elite 100 Watch List running back Ky’Ron Craggette rushed for 112 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns.
West Liberty lost to Walsh University last week in Week Zero 38-10. They were picked to finish seventh in the MEC’s preseason poll.
Bowie State (0-0, 0-0 CIAA) at Shippensburg (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) - 1 PM
Shippensburg’s strengths heading into 2025 are the starters they are returning on the offensive line and their defensive backfield.
Bowie State was picked to finish sixth out of 11 teams in the CIAA preseason poll. After Shippensburg here in Week One, Bowie State travels to DI FCS Delaware State next week.
Gannon (0-1, 0-0 PSAC West) at Saginaw Valley State (0-1, 0-0 GLIAC) - 2 PM
Gannon lost last week in Week Zero to Davenport 21-12. Quarterback Anthony Harris was 22 of 33 for 269 yards with two touchdowns. He also had 101 yards rushing on 20 rushing attempts. Bryce wood led the defense with 12 tackles. Punter Bryson Costa is a D2 Football Elite 100 Watch List Player for the Golden Knights.
Saginaw Valley State lost last week in Week Zero, 28-21 to Northeastern State. They were picked to finish third in the GLIAC’s preseason poll.
Glenville State (0-1, 0-0 MEC) at Lock Haven (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) - 6 PM
Joe Battaglia is in his first season as head coach for Lock Haven after previously serving as offensive coordinator. The Bald Eagles return quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky who was nominated for the Harlon Hill Award last season.
Glenville State lost last week in Week Zero, 46-17, to Emery & Henry University. They were picked to finish third in the MEC’s preseason poll.
Idle in Week One
Edinboro (1-0, 0-0 PSAC West) Under new head coach Matt Scott, Edinboro opened their season last week in Week Zero with an impressive win on the road taking down a top contender in the PSAC East, East Stroudsburg, 29-14. Wide receiver Jaret Frantz was named the PSAC offensive athlete of the week for his stellar play. He had six catches for 78 yards and three touchdowns. On special teams, punter Ricco Sastoque was also named PSAC Athlete of the Week averaging 52 yards per punt, with a long of 62 yards, and pinning East Stroudsburg inside their own 20-yard line twice. He also excelled on his five kickoffs with one touchback. Next up is the defending PSAC Champion, #4 Kutztown (PSAC East), at home in week two.
Shepherd (0-1, 0-0 PSAC East) Shepherd opened their season last week in Week Zero losing to Frostburg State 41-27 on the road. Running back Grant Swinehart rushed for 135 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. On defense, Devin Harper and Nathan Muhle both had eight tackles a piece and Muhle also had a sack. As the season progresses, offensive lineman Brandon Carr, a D2 Elite 100 Watch List Player for the Rams, is one to keep an eye on. Next up is last season’s Super Region One Champion, #9 Slippery Rock, on the road in Week Two.