Six PSAC West teams enjoyed a victory over the weekend, giving the league one of its better performances of the year. Four of those teams improved to 3-0 on the season. As far as standings go, Clarion leads the pack, followed by Gannon, Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock — all at 3-0. Behind those teams is Cal (2-1), IUP (1-1), Seton Hill (1-2) and Edinboro (0-3).
No. 14 Slippery Rock 75, Millersville 0
The highly-potent offense of Slippery Rock led to 75 points and 553 total yards of offense in a rout of Millersville at home. Dominic Dingle ran for 164 yards on just 12 carries and scored on runs of 1 and 67 yards while teammate Julian Durden ran for 111 yards and scored three times. Quarterback Dante Nania threw two touchdowns on 11-of-15 passing while totaling 192 yards in the win, improving The Rock to 3-0.
IUP 38, Lock Haven 13
IUP scored 28 points in the second half to easily down Lock Haven at home on Saturday. The Crimson Hawks used eight rushers to gain 372 yards on the ground while scoring four rushing touchdowns. Drew Harris led the way with 109 yards on 17 carries, scoring once. Luigi Lista-Brinza added 84 on 14 carries and a score. IUP also got an interception return for a TD from Dorian Lane in the third quarter to improve to 1-1 on the year.
Cal 34, Shippensburg 26
The Vulcans used a 27-point second quarter to build a large lead and then held on against Shippensburg on Saturday at home. Cal got 114 yards and two scores from John Franklin III in addition to an efficient day from quarterback James Harris. Harris completed 14-of-32 passes for 202 yards and two scores with no interceptions. Defense and special teams also played a key role as sophomore linebacker Luke Hrapchak finished with 16 tackles and Aaron Terry returned a punt 97 yards for a TD to bring the Vulcans to 2-1.
Clarion 59, Cheyney 6
Clarion’s high-powered offense continued to roll as the Golden Eagles scored 21 points in both the second and third quarters to blow out Cheyney at home Saturday. QB Connor Simmons threw for 221 yards on 17-of-31 passing with four touchdowns. Three of those scores went to Matt Lehman, who caught six passes for 96 yards. The Clarion defense held Cheyney to just 9 rushing yards all game despite eight different ball carriers trying to make plays. On the day, Clarion allowed just 101 yards of total offense in improving to 3-0.
Gannon 66, Kutztown 31
Gannon’s offense exploded for 66 points and totaled 707 total yards of offense in a blowout win on the road Saturday. Running back Brock Jones ran for 191 yards and scored three times while QB Liam Nadler completed 28-of-36 passes for 412 yards and five TDs with no interceptions. Both Jestin Hamm and Eli Quinter totaled 100 yards of receiving, Hamm catching seven passes for 138 yards and three TDs and Quinter catching nine balls for 104 yards in the win which improved Gannon to 3-0.
Mercyhurst 20, Bloomsburg 14
Despite being shut out in the second half, Mercyhurst held on to top Bloomsburg on the road Saturday. The Lakers received another fine performance out of QB Brendan Boylan, who threw for 222 yards and all three scores on 16-of-35 passing, tossing one interception. The main beneficiary of the passing game was FJ Williams, who caught five passes for 99 yards and two TDs in the win, which improved Mercyhurst to 3-0.
West Chester 48, Seton Hill 38
Seton Hill put up a fight but two late touchdowns from West Chester doomed the Griffins on the road. West Chester got two touchdowns in the final two minutes on runs from Jarel Elder, one of 2 yards and the other of 51, the first to take the lead and the second to shut the door. Elder ran for 247 yards and three scores on the night. Seton Hill was led by QB Christian Strong. Despite three interceptions, Strong threw for 322 yards on 28-of-48 passing with three TDs in the loss, moving the Griffins to 1-2.
East Stroudsburg 56, Edinboro 12
After falling behind 35-0 at the half, Edinboro couldn’t get things going and fell on the road Saturday. The Fighting Scots couldn’t stop East Stroudsburg’s passing game as QB Matt Soltes threw for 438 yards on 21-of-31 passing, tossing five TDs through the air. East’s Jon Schnaars caught nine passes for 200 yards and two scores. Edinboro was led offensively by receiver Alex Caratelli, who caught three passes for 57 yards and a score in the loss, moving the Scots to 0-3.
Photo Credit: Slippery Rock Athletics
