PSAC Football Media Day Photo Gallery
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – West Chester University’s football squad was picked to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division in the preseason coaches’ poll it was revealed Monday afternoon at the conference’s media day inside the MacFarland Student Union on the campus of Kutztown University.
West Chester (7-4, 5-2 PSAC East), which tied for second place in the league standings behind defending champion Shippensburg, was picked to win the East for the third time in the last four years. The Golden Rams received the most points in the preseason coaches’ poll, despite not receiving a single first-place vote from any of the loop’s head coaches. California (11-4, 7-0) is the favorite in the Western Division to take the regular-season title.
Bloomsburg (8-3, 5-2) received one first-place vote and was picked to finish second in the preseason poll. C.W. Post (6-5, 5-2) and Shippensburg (9-3, 6-1) each received three first-place votes, but finished third and fourth, respectively, in the coaches’ poll. East Stroudsburg (8-4, 4-3) received one first-place vote, but was slotted fifth by the league’s head coaches.
Millersville (3-8, 2-5), Kutztown (3-8, 1-6) and Cheyney (0-11, 0-7) were picked sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.
The Golden Rams return just three starters from its top-ranked defense of a year ago and will open 2010 with a sophomore at quarterback. Only three of the team’s 10 All-PSAC performers return as well. However, head coach Bill Zwaan is confident the new players stepping into those starting roles are just as talented.
Sophomore Mike Mattei will make his first collegiate start under center on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Delaware against the Division I – FBS nationally ranked Blue Hens at Delaware Stadium. Mattei won the starting nod in spring practice and the coaching staff is excited to see what the youngster can do.
Thursday, Oct. 7, West Chester University will host Shippensburg University in a game that will be televised in primetime on CBS CollegeSports TV. Shippensburg is coached by former West Chester football great Rocky Rees. The WCU alumn brings his Raiders into Farrell Stadium for a key divisional matchup.
“Anytime we play West Chester it is special for me,” Rees said at media day. “I have a lot of fond memories of playing on that field. I think it will be a great opportunity for our players.”
Out West, Indiana (Pa.) and Clarion were each picked to finish second and third, respectively, behind Cal. IUP is slated to be West Chester’s final opponent of the regular season, provided neither team qualifies for the PSAC Championship Game, or both win their respective divisions and meet in that title match.
Edinboro, who received one first-place vote, tied for fourth with Gannon in the preseason poll. Slippery Rock, Mercyhurst and Lock Haven rounded out the Western Division predictions in that order.
2010 PSAC Preseason Football Coaches’ Poll
(First-place votes in paranthesis)
East
1. West Chester
2. Bloomsburg (1)
3. C.W. Post (3)
4. Shippensburg (3)
5. East Stroudsburg (1)
6. Kutztown
7. Millersville
8. Cheyney
West
1. California (7)
2. IUP
3. Clarion
T4. Edinboro (1)
T4. Gannon
6. Slippery Rock
7. Mercyhurst
8. Lock Haven
