PSAC West Week 6
October 10th, 2019 12:00pm
PSAC West Week 6 Preview
Last week we saw some great matchups in the league. The Homecoming win at IUP as the Crimson Hawks held home field with a great showing over visiting Cal U. The statement made by the IUP defense, holding the Vulcan’s from the end zone in the 17-6 victory. Edinboro traveled to Gannon and escaped with an 18-17 victory for their first of the season. Mercyhurst was scorched for the second straight week dropping 45-14 to Slippery Rock. Clarion scored the homecoming victory over visiting Seton Hill 42-16
This week we continue into the heart of the league, old and new rivalries dot the schedule. Another battle in Erie County and two of the oldest rivalries in the PSAC west highlight the four game schedule.
Mercyhurst (2-3, 0-2) at Edinboro (1-4, 1-1)
Gannon (2-3, 0-2) at Seton Hill (0-4,0-2)
Clarion (3-2, 1-1) at Cal U (3-2, 1-1)
Game of the week:
#21 IUP (5-0, 2-0) at #11 Slippery Rock (5-0, 2-0)
Mercyhurst (2-3 0-2) at Edinboro (1-4,1-1)
12pm Sox Harrison Stadium, Edinboro PA
- Edinboro looks to win for a second straight week as they welcome the Lakers of Mercyhurst. The Fighting Scots won on a last second field goal last weekend in Erie when they visited Gannon. Mercyhurst was run off the field again last week as their defense has struggled to meet expectations. That being said these next few weeks will allow the Lakers defense to regroup to possibly become a top of the league group. Edinboro has struggled to score points all season and will need to be opportunistic again this week to hang around and look for a second straight victory. This will be a tough contest as points could be at a premium. The pick Mercyhurst 17 Edinboro 13
Gannon (2-3,1-1) at Seton Hill (0-4, 0-2)
4pm Offutt Field, Greensburg PA
- Gannon travels to Westmorland County for a clash with the home standing Griffins of Seton Hill. Gannon dropped a close game last week on a last second field goal. Gannon again this season has struggled to play to the talent on the roster, struggling to get the talent from paper onto the field. If Gannon can sneak past the Griffins this weekend they have four games left and they would have a chance to make noise in the PSAC west. On the other sideline head Coach Dan Day is still searching for his first victory. I have been impressed with how his teams have finished games and continue to play hard for sixty minutes. I expect Gannon to come out and play well after last week’s disappointment. The pick Gannon27 Seton Hill 17
Clarion (3-2, 1-1) at Cal U (3-2,1-1)
4pm Adamson Stadium, California PA
- The Vulcan football team will look to rebound after dropping a 17-6 contest in the 11th annual “Coal Bowl”. Being held out of the end zone for this first time under head coach Gary Dunn the Vulcan’s will look to rebound in front of a homecoming crowd as they welcome the Golden Eagles of Clarion for a 4pm kickoff at Adamson Stadium. Clarion comes into California off of a dominating 42-16 victory over Seton Hill. The winner of this game keeps faint but true playoff hopes alive for at least another week. California needs to get back to basics if they want to make a push the second half of this season. IUP’s front seven got constant pressure on Cal U quarterback Noah Mitchell and did not allow the sophomore to push the ball down the field. The Vulcan’s also went away from the rushing attack that seemed to be making inroads into the Crimson Hawk defense in the first half. On defense the Vulcan’s held the high powered Crimson Hawks in check for most of the game and can take major positives in that effort. This is a game that could go either way, the Vulcan’s have struggled in homecoming games over the years only dropping last season but playing closer than games should have been at times. Clarion is one of the most hardnosed teams in the league and always give the Vulcan’s a tough game. The pick Cal U 37 Clarion 24
Game of the week:
#21 IUP (5-0, 2-0) at #11 Slippery Rock (5-0, 2-0)
2pm Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock PA
- IUP makes the short trip to Slippery Rock for what is by most accounts the most intense rivalry in the PSAC. Coming off of a homecoming triumph over rival California the Crimson Hawks are flying high as they visit old rival Slippery Rock. On the home sideline the #11 rated and undefeated Rock awaits. Slippery Rock has not been in a tight game yet this season as they have rolled in all five of their victories to comfortable second half’s. Last week the Rock rolled to a 45-14 victory while visiting Mercyhurst. IUP on the other hand is coming off of a hard fought victory over Cal U. This will certainly help the Crimson Hawks as they prepare for this weekend. Quarterback Quinton Maxwell was on 15-31 last week but led the Crimson Hawks on two touchdown drives. His first touchdown pass of 60 yards was one of the best throws I have seen in fifteen years following the PSAC, 70 yards in the air on a rope to a wide receiver in perfect stride. Slippery Rock quarterback Rolland Rivers will look to out throw Maxwell in this matchup of the top two quarterbacks Super Region 1. Last season Slippery Rock won 30-27 at IUP, I think a tight matchup can be expected this weekend. Slippery Rock may have more fire power than we all know and they will be able to push the ball down the field better than the Vulcan’s could against the IUP defense. The pick Slippery Rock 34 IUP 28
As we reach the halfway point of the season let’s take a quick look across the region. Super Region 1 is made up of four conferences the PSAC, Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC), Northeast-10 and the Mountain East. After five weeks I believe we have 21 teams who still have a shot at the playoffs. Any team at this point who has two loses or less is still alive. The PSAC has eight teams still alive in this race four in the East, Kutztown, East Stroudsburg, and West Chester and Shepherd the first 4 unbeaten and Shepherd at 3-2. In the West, IUP and Slippery Rock both unbeaten and Cal U and Clarion the winner of the Cal U Clarion keeps the faint hope of playoffs alive for another week. The other top teams around the region are Notre Dame College from Mountain East, Assumption from the NE10 and Tiffin of the GMAC. As we watch the scoreboard this weekend we will continue to update the teams in contention. Next week the list will drop a few teams off and others will begin to shuffle for playoff seeding. In short across the four leagues everyone with two or less defeats is still alive.
Enjoy a great weekend across the Commonwealth as we are now into the heart of the season. Cheer on the teams and enjoy the excitement of D2Football across this great league. Follow along on twitter @zsimpson_d2 for updates on game gameday and during the week.
