RFC Summer Semester: Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)--NCAA Division II

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2013 Final Standings

Looking back: In what turned out to be a bizarre 2013 season, the West Chester University Golden Rams lost their bid to become the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champions, losing to the Bloomsburg University Huskies 31-28 on November 9.  But in a strange twist of fate, they avenged that loss in the NCAA Division II playoffs three weeks later, knocking them off in a 40-38 thriller in the second round.  The Golden Rams advanced to the national semifinals on December 7, losing to eventual national runner-up Lenoir-Rhyne, 42-14.

Looking ahead: With every team in the PSAC losing at least one conference game last season--including a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Division between Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, and West Chester, expect another tight race in this highly competitive league this season.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

Eastern Division

1. West Chester (13-2):  With most of their roster returning from 2013, don't be surprised if the Golden Rams make another deep postseason run in 2014.

2. Bloomsburg (10-2):  But the defending division and overall league champion Huskies just might have a say in ultimately ends up on top in the PSAC East, so don't count them out so easily.  They'll open the 2014 season with head coach Paul Darragh having the "interim" tag removed from his title.

3. Shippensburg (7-4):  After earning a three-way share of the East Division title with a 6-1 mark in conference games last year, the Red Raiders hope to take the next step towards a possible playoff berth this year.  But they must pay visits to division foes Bloomsburg and West Chester during the 2014 season.

4. East Stroudsburg (7-4):  The Warriors have won seven or more games eight times dating back to 2002.  It's a trend they hope to continue in 2014.

5. Kutztown (4-7):  The Golden Bears start a new era with a new head coach in Jim Clements. He moves up from the NCAA Division III ranks after spending the last eight years as the head coach at Delaware Valley College.

6.  Lock Haven (3-8):  The Eagles won more games in 2013 than in the previous two years combined. Still, they might be hard pressed to move up in the standings in what should be a very solid Eastern Division of the PSAC going into 2014.

7. Millersville (1-10):  The Marauders face a tough task ahead, as they look to notch first winning season since a 6-4 finish in 2000.

8. Cheyney (0-11):  Anthony Johnson only recently took over as the Wolves head coach after the sudden resignation of predecessor Ken Lockard after just three years on the job. 

Western Division

1. Indiana (Pa.)--(9-2):  The Crimson Hawks hope that a season-ending four-game winning streak will not only carry over into 2014, but also provide the push they need to win the West as well. Among the seniors that IUP will lose to graduation is Don Hansen All-American safety Terrell Holloway.


2. Slippery Rock (9-3):  On the flip side, the Rock lost back-to-back contests to close out 2013, losing to Bloomsburg in the PSAC title game, followed by a season-ending loss to Winston-Salem State in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.  Hopefully, that late slide will be used as motivation for the defending Western Division champions to make another potential playoff push in 2014.

3. Mercyhurst (7-4):  Among the more interesting games for the Lakers in 2014 will be played on October 18.  That's when the Lakers will face the aforementioned Slippery Rock at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. No, this is not a misprint.

4. California (Pa.)--(7-4):  The Vulcans hope to improve on last year's 4-3 mark in PSAC play.  Among the early tests they'll face in 2014 will be a September 13 battle with Bloomsburg on the road.

5. Gannon (6-5):  The Golden Knights hope to keep moving into the right direction after a 4-3 finish in conference games last season. It was their second six-win season in the last four years (6-5 in 2010).

6. Edinboro (5-6):  The Fighting Scots must fight an uphill battle after winning just nine games combined over the past two seasons.

7. Clarion (4-7):  The Golden Eagles split their first eight games, even starting at 3-0, before ending 2013 with three straight losses.

8. Seton Hill (1-10):  True, the Griffins won just one game last season. But that lone win came in the last game of last season, as they downed Cheyney, 17-10, on November 16, 2013, snapping a 23-game losing streak. Whether that win will carry over into 2014, however, remains to be seen.

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