SLIPPERY ROCK, PA – "Saturday's night's the night I like. Saturday night's alright. Alright, alright." It's safe to say that Elton John didn't have Division II college football in mind when he penned his Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom 50 years ago. But, that's exactly how Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rivals West Chester and Slippery Rock feel heading into this weekend's tilt in Week 2.
Fresh off a thrilling come-from-behind victory on the road at Bentley in the season opener last weekend, West Chester hits the road once again for a PSAC crossover against nationally ranked Slippery Rock on Saturday night at 6 p.m. inside Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
West Chester showed its resolve one week ago. This week, they will be tested more vigorously against one of the top programs in the country.
Saturday will mark the 21st meeting between these two cross-divisional rivals. Slippery Rock holds an 11-9 advantage in the first 20 encounters. Seven of those games were PSAC Championship contests. It is the most-played PSAC title game in the history of the State Game.
FLOCK TALK …
West Chester started slowly, made a lot of mistakes and looked a bit out of sorts at times in its opener. However, the second half was a much different story, and the Golden Rams were able to hang around just long enough to stage a comeback and score the winning touchdown with 53 seconds left.
So., QB
Cooper Jordan (Downingtown, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) was named the PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week for his heroics in orchestrating his second fourth-quarter comeback win in his young career. He threw for 292 yards and rushed for 84 more en route to the win. The reigning PSAC East Rookie of the Year took nearly 30 minutes to get going. But, when he did, he was difficult for Bentley's defense to stop.
"It's Getting Late. Have You Seen My Mates …"
Jordan has a lot more weapons at his disposal, and namesake
Julian Jordan (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) – no relation – is quickly establishing himself one of them. He led the team with five receptions last Saturday. Jr. WR
D'Shaun Seals (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) hauled in four passes for a game-best 95 yards. But, none was more important than his 45-yarder on the Golden Rams' final game-winning drive late in fourth quarter.
Head coach Bill Zwaan has said that he likes all four of his top running backs in his arsenal.
Jayden Williams (Bethlehem, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) scored the game-winning TD on a 7-yard scamper with 53 seconds left.
Daquan Robinson (Philadelphia, Pa./Northeast) also got a couple carries.
Dayshawn Jacobs (West Chester, Pa./Rustin) saw action on kick returns. He makes his triumphant return to Mihalik-Thompson Stadium where he was an All-PSAC performer in the long jump this past May at the PSAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships hosted by Slippery Rock.
Defensively, newcomers
Connor Noble (Chester Springs, Pa./Downingtown East) and
Shane Mosley (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) were all over the field. Noble registered 14 tackles while Mosley added another 13. Noble made seven stops on Bentley's last sustained drive of the game, which resulted in a missed 46-yard field goal. He was also credited with two QB hurries.
West Chester boasts seven Division I transfers in each starting lineup with four of those on the defensive side of the ball. Both safeties played in bowl games for Big Ten schools, Noble is a transfer from Temple and McAndrew came from I-FCS New Hampshire.
The majority of the Golden Rams miscues came by way of false starts along the offensive line and special teams play. West Chester was whistled for nine penalties. Four of those were false starts with another delay of game. Those types of mistakes are easily corrected. But, the Rams will have to do a better job of not digging themselves a hole of which they cannot get out.
WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU GO …
If you plan to attend Saturday night's affair, below is useful information to have before you depart.
TICKETS
• Here is a direct link to the single-game tickets for this game. West Chester fans need only be concerned about general admission tickets as the reserved tickets are all on the home side of the stadium.
•
https://sru.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1752&r=577d432dfe944cca8a3f093989c7e645
WCU FAN PARKING
•
Parking Map (PDF)
• Visiting fans can park together and tailgate in Lot E ($10 Cash Only).
• Lot opens at 2 p.m.
• GPS Address: 246 Harmony Road, Slippery Rock, PA
• Visiting fans can enter the game through gate six, located at the field hockey/lacrosse building right below the visitor parking lot, which provides direct access to the visiting bleachers.
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Campus Map | Visitor parking is above building #50. Entry gate is at building #50.
TAILGATING
• Tailgating is allowed in paid lots four hours before kickoff (lots open at 2 p.m.)
• No Tailgating at halftime
• All Tailgaters must enter game at kickoff
• Tailgaters must vacate the lots 90 minutes after the game ends
• No hard liquor or glass bottles
• Adhere to all campus tailgating rules found
HERE.
