The PSAC West is beginning to take shape as divisional play started last week.
Gannon and Slippery Rock are the lone undefeated teams in the PSAC West and sit tied atop the standings. From there, Cal and IUP sit at 3-1, Clarion at 2-2, Seton Hill at 1-3 and Edinboro and Mercyhurst at 0-4. The top four teams are riding win streaks of at least two games each heading into Week 5.
A true leader will be crowned for at least a week as Slippery Rock hosts Gannon on Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Statistically, the PSAC West have both the top scoring offense and defense as Slippery Rock is scoring 50.5 points per game and Gannon is allowing just 10.5 points per game.
Individually, three of the PSAC’s top five rushers come out of the west as SRU’s Shamar Greene has 747 yards (186.8 per game) and eight scores, Gannon’s Brock Jones has 651 yards (162.8 per game) and six TDs and IUP’s Luigi Lista-Brinza has 356 yards (89.0 per game) and eight scores. They rank first, second and fourth, respectively.
Of the top ten rushers, six are from the West and two teams (SRU and Cal) have two backs featured on the list.
Jones, Gannon’s top back, was named PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week after helping Gannon start 4-0 for the first time since 1949. He ran for a career-high 213 yards.
On the other hand, the passing stats have been dominated by the East. The West’s leader, Cal’s James Harris, ranks third in the league. He’s completed 80-of-125 passes for 1,231 yards and eight TDs. He’s the only PSAC West passer with over 1,000 yards. SRU’s Zack Newsock and Edinboro’s Cody Harris lead the PSAC in passing scores, each tossing nine.
On the receiving end, Cal’s Garry Brown leads the West and is second in the PSAC with 23 grabs for 432 yards, averaging 108.0 per game. He has just two scores, though. Edinboro’s Darren Massey leads in receptions with 35. He also has the most TD grabs in the West, hauling in five passes for scores early on.
Defensively, IUP’s Kevin Clarke continues to improve and is averaging 11.5 tackles per game this season, ranking third in the PSAC and first in the West. He’s the only tackler in the West averaging double-digit tackles. Cal’s Jawan Turner leads the West in sacks, registering 1.13 per game with 4.5 on the season. Clarion’s Kwame Bell has 4.0. In terms of interceptions, SRU’s Derrick Fulmore is tied for the league lead with three.
Cal’s Turner was named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week after recording 3.5 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss.
Photo Credit: Gannon Athletics
