GAME DAY INFORMATION
WEST CHESTER, PA - West Chester University welcomes long-time division rival Bloomsburg University to South Campus Saturday on Homecoming/Family Weekend. The Bloomsburg Game always draws a nice crowd to John A. Farrell Stadium. However, with it being Homecoming and Family Weekend, the Golden Rams should be playing in front of a packed house.
Gates open two hours before kickoff (12:00 p.m.). Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens. All tickets are general admission. Skip the long lines outside the stadium when you arrive by purchasing your tickets online by clicking
HERE. All parking in and around Farrell Stadium are pay lots. Spectators will have to pay $10 per car to park. Lots open at 8 a.m. Parking will be at a premium. Please plan to carpool, or ride-share. Tailgating is only allowed in Lower Q Lot. The school's tailgating policy can be found
HERE.
West Chester is looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss at Millersville last week in the rain and the cold. The Golden Rams got two long touchdown plays in the second half as they tried to mount a comeback. However, Millersville built a 16-0 lead by halftime and tacked on a touchdown in the third quarter to take a 23-14 decision. It marked the first time in head coach Bill Zwaan 20-year tenure at the school that he lost to the Marauders, ending a 19-game winning streak against the 'Ville in the process.
It won't get any easier from here on out that's for sure. West Chester will try to avenge a tough loss up at Bloomsburg a year ago while the Huskies look to rebound from a 7-0 shutout at Shippensburg last weekend. Bloomsburg drove deep into Shippensburg territory early in the first half and fumbled away an opportunity to get points. They rely heavily on the running of junior tailback Kaleb
Moncao.
The Huskies have always featured talented running backs and a big offensive line. That's what awaits West Chester on Saturday.
FLOCK TALK
It is no secret that West Chester's defense has been under some intense scrutiny so far in 2023. Head coach Bill Zwaan and defensive coordinator
Mike Furlong thought that this year's stop unit would by much better than it has performed. The Golden Rams' defense ranks 15th in the league, out of 16 schools, averaging 405.8 yards allowed per game. They are one of only three teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference to average allowing more than 400 yards per game. The 30.5 points allowed per game is 13th in the conference as well. Injuries have played a part in some of
those inflated numbers. Transfer strong safety,
Shane Mosley, injured his knee two weeks ago, and cornerback
Obi Anyatonwu missed a couple weeks with a bad back. He returned last Saturday against Millersville.
But, the Golden Rams have had to move some people around. For example, true freshman wide receiver,
Darrell Brown, has assumed the starting role at strong safety for Zwaan and Furlong. He was told that he would be catching balls, not knocking them down, when he was recruited to West Chester. However, his athleticism and familiarity with the position from his high school days has the coaching staff trying new things as they work through injury issues. He isn't the only true freshman in the defensive backfield either.
Jaleel Davis-Shabazz is another youngster out there learning on the fly. West Chester ranks fourth in the conference in total offense and right in the middle in scoring offense. So, the Golden Rams can move the ball. However, last weekend, a disastrous first half led to a hole that was just too big to dig out of for the purple & gold.
BIG PLAY RECEIVER
West Chester junior wide receiver
Rahiem Bowens has shown the ability to get behind the defense and make a big play when the Golden Rams need him most. He caught a 62-yard touchdown pass last week at Millersville and equaled his career high with a 73-yard TD catch against Gannon in the home opener two weeks ago.
Sophomore quarterback
Cooper Jordan has quickly developed a liking for Bowens and the two seem to be able to connect for long plays down field. Bowens has 10 catches for 331 yards on the season. His 33.1 yards per catch ranks second in the PSAC heading into today's action. He ranks sixth overall in receiving yards and is tied for fifth in touchdowns (3).
ON THE HORIZON
West Chester will travel to Shippensburg next Saturday for another conference contest. The Red Raiders are 1-3 entering its visit to Shepherd this week. Shippensburg defeated Bloomsburg, 7-0, in its PSAC opener last week.
