PSAC West Week 8

October 24th, 2019 12:00pm

PSAC West Week 8:

This was a competitive week seven where we saw a second straight win for the Griffin of Seton Hill that propels the Griffins into fourth place. There was a tough contest at Edinboro that showed a little hangover for the Rock after the big win over IUP. And the two games that saw both IUP and Cal U roll to large victories as we arrive at three weeks left in divisional play. In the West we still have three programs looking at the possibility of the NCAA playoffs and everyone except for Edinboro is still fighting for a winning season.

As we are quickly approaching the end of the season the race for the playoffs heats up. As of right now sixteen teams are still alive for the playoffs, we get this number by looking at the teams in the regions four leagues with two or less loses. Across the region we see some big matchups, the biggest of which is from Northeast Ohio as Findlay from the GMAC visits Notre Dame out of the Mountain East. Massachusetts Assumption plays host to Stonehill , and out east in the Commonwealth the Warriors of East Stroudsburg visit the Golden Rams of West Chester. After this week we can expect to see the official regional rankings. When they come out we will preview and look at all of the pivotal games moving forward.

Week 8 PSAC Matchups:

Edinboro at Seton Hill

Gannon at IUP

Clarion at Slippery Rock

Mercyhurst at Cal U

Lock Haven at Bloomsburg

East Stroudsburg at West Chester

Shepherd at Millersville

Shippensburg at Kutztown

Edinboro (1-6, 1-3) at Seton Hill (2-4,2-2)

Offutt Field, 12pm Greensburg, PA

The Fighting Scots visit the streaking Griffins of Seton Hill. Edinboro played very well last week and pushed Slippery Rock more than I think the Rock expected. Edinboro kept the game within a score into the fourth quarter, finally falling 41-30. About fifteen miles north the Griffins of Seton Hill and head coach Dan Day won for the second consecutive week. The Griffins played a great second half as they held the Lakers off the board. Quarterback Ryan Barabe went 28-38 for almost 350 yards. Seton Hill is turning into one of the best stories in the league, coming into this week they are in fourth place in the standings. Edinboro on the other sideline has played well at times but before last week have struggled to score. The 30 points last week were a season high for the Fighting Scots. I expect a tight game in Greensburg this week, Seton Hill has found a way to win the last two weeks and the Griffin faithful should come out and watch this team continue to grow and find more success as this season continues. Edinboro started a new quarterback last week in Levi Becker; Becker had over 200 yards passing and two touchdowns. The Fighting Scots are a proud program and this is a gut check game for them as they look to remain relevant in the tough recruiting game of western Pennsylvania. The pick Seton Hill 30 Edinboro 21

Clarion (3-4, 1-3) at #10 Slippery Rock (7-0, 4-0)

Thompson Stadium, 1 pm Slippery Rock PA

Slippery Rock will look to continue this magical season as the Golden Eagles of Clarion visit this Saturday. This rival game that has been mostly one sided over the last decade. Clarion struggled last week with IUP as the Crimson Hawks jumped out to a 21-0 lead on the Golden Eagles early. Clarion battled but came up short even with the help of 200 yards in penalty yardage against IUP. Slippery Rock on the other hand traveled to Edinboro and got more than I think anyone expected from the home standing Scots. Slippery Rock is lead by Harlon Hill contender Rolland Rivers at quarterback and he continues to lead the PSAC’s number one overall and scoring offense. Rivers and the Rock will look to continue the best start in the last seventy years. The Rock will get a battle out of Clarion but will use league’s top offense will out pace then Golden Eagles. The Pick Slippery Rock 40 Clarion 21

Mercyhurst (3-4, 1-3) at Cal U (5-2,3-1)

Adamson Stadium, 1pm California PA

The Vulcan’s return home after a strong road trip to Erie last Saturday. The Vulcan’s played well in all phases of the game last week and will look to keep the hope of another NCAA playoff bid alive as they welcome the Lakers of Mercyhurst to Adamson Stadium this weekend. Mercyhurst on the other hand comes in as a team struggling to do many things; score in the second half, keep teams off the scoreboard, and mainly put points on the board. Mercyhurst started the season 2-1 and by some accounts outplayed Shepherd in that week two matchup. The Lakers looked to lean on a top notch defense but are ranked ninth as we enter week eight. The Vulcan’s on the other hand have been strong on the defensive side out the ball leading the PSAC against the run only allowing 30 ypg. If the Vulcan’s can control the ball on Saturday they should be able to pull away from the sluggish Laker offense. California has struggled at times seeming to get away from what is working on offense. The Vulcan’s will need to lean on the PSAC leading receiver Tyson Hill down the stretch this season. Mercyhurst over the years has always played well in California and I expect a close contest early on Saturday, California will wear down the Laker defense and pull away late. The pick Cal U 37 Mercyhurst 21

Gannon (2-5, 1-3) at #21 IUP (6-1, 3-1)

Miller Stadium, 1:30pm Indiana PA

The Crimson Hawks are continuing their playoff push as the Golden Knights of Gannon come to visit Miller Stadium this Saturday afternoon. Gannon will look to rebound after a tough game at home last weekend against Cal U. Gannon played with two quarterbacks last week and both showed flashes of being able to move the ball. IUP on the other hand is coming off of a dominating performance last week in Clarion, coming home with a 59-21 victory. IUP put up over 600 yards of offense and they forced seven Golden Eagle turnovers. From here on out all of the games on the IUP schedule are “trap” games. IUP is rolling and with the schedule remaining 10-1 should be the only excepted finish. Last weekend I was in Gannon for the game and the heat on Coach Brad Rzyczycki is starting to heat up. The fans, parents and boosters all do not seem happy with the effort on the field. The schedule for Gannon does not let up down the stretch and with the new basketball coaches in place for this season could Rzyczycki be the next one out in Erie? This game is a total mismatch for Gannon, they cannot stop the pass and Quinton Maxwell continues to put up big numbers for IUP. If Gannon can find a run game which was nonexistent last week, maybe they can extend the game and keep it close. The pick IUP 45 Gannon 14

We only have three weeks left in divisional play but so much is left to be decided. The weather is turning colder and the leaves have all changed last week. The trip to Erie showed the fall foliage in all of its glory, trips to California and IUP should show the beautiful fall views of southwestern Pennsylvania. Next week we will see key matchups between Cal U and Slippery Rock as well as the “Battle for the Niagara Cup” in Erie between cross town rivals Gannon and Mercyhurst. Enjoy this weekend’s matchups as this season is quickly coming to a conclusion.