The PSAC West season is wrapping up soon and the playoff picture is taking shape. Let’s take a look forward.
2013 Football Standings
| SCHOOL | CONF | CPCT. | OVERALL | PCT. | STREAK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEST | |||||
| Slippery Rock | 5-1 | 0.833 | 8-1 | 0.889 | W6 |
| California | 4-2 | 0.667 | 6-3 | 0.667 | L1 |
| Gannon | 4-2 | 0.667 | 5-4 | 0.556 | W1 |
| IUP | 4-2 | 0.667 | 7-2 | 0.778 | W2 |
| Mercyhurst | 3-3 | 0.500 | 5-4 | 0.556 | W1 |
| Edinboro | 2-4 | 0.333 | 4-5 | 0.444 | L2 |
| Clarion | 2-4 | 0.333 | 4-5 | 0.444 | L1 |
| Seton Hill | 0-6 | 0.000 | 0-9 | 0.000 | L9 |
QUICK POPS:
Playoff picture in the West:
– Slippery Rock needs just a win over winless Seton Hill to take home the PSAC West title and punch their ticket.
– If Slippery Rock loses to Seton Hill and Gannon beats IUP, Gannon could win the West.
– If both teams lose, Slippery Rock takes the West.
In the Polls:
– Slippery Rock ranks #20 in the AFCA Top 25 and #15 in the D2football.com Top 25. The Rock also ranks #4 in the Super Region One rankings.
Players of the Week:
Offense: Nigel Barksdale, Slippery Rock
Defense: Luke Rankie, Gannon
GAME PREVIEWS:
Clarion at Edinboro
Both teams are looking to get back into the win column to finish the season. Clarion will turn to their running game as Bobby Thomas will look to get back on track. Thomas has 653 yards on the season. Edinboro’s signal caller Jon Girvin will lead the Fighting Scots. Girvin has six passing touchdowns and 160.0 yards passing per game.
Game time is set for 12 p.m.
Slippery Rock at Seton Hill
Slippery Rock’s high-powered offense travels to take on the winless Seton Hill Griffins. Quarterback Nigel Barksdale is first in the PSAC and 4th in Division II with 340.4 passing yards per game. His receiver John Schademan is second in the PSAC in receiving with 124.1 yards per game. Seton Hill is led by wide receiver Norman Darden, who has 22 catches for 295 yards and four touchdowns.
Game time is set for 12:30 p.m.
Gannon at IUP
IUP will keep their balanced attack going this season behind De’Antwan Williams and wide receiver Terrill Barnes. Williams is only 41 yards away from breaking 1,000 yards this season, a stat he’ll likely reach Saturday. Barnes has caught 49 passes for 777 yards this season and has been Mike Box’s favorite target. For Gannon, the same type of offense will be on display. Running back Jansen Jones is well over 1,000 yards but has been slowed down the past few weeks. He’ll be looking to get back in stride along with quarterback Liam Nadler.
Game time is set for 1 p.m.
Mercyhurst at Cal U
Mercyhurst’s offense will look to stay in stride as running back Brandon Brown-Dukes will look to close his season out strong. Brown-Dukes needs 47 yards to go over 1,000 yards for the season. Mercyhurst is scoring 33.4 points per game and will go against Cal U’s defense which allows just 16.7 points per game. Cal U will look to get their passing game going with Mike Williams on the outside. He has 46 catches for 697 yards on the season.
Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: Slippery Rock Athletics
