Just last year, Slippery Rock used an offensive attack which was in the upper echelon of the Division II college football world. Now, with one of the nation's most dynamic quarterbacks and his top two targets gone, new faces will need to step up for the Rock in 2014. In 2013, Nigel Barksdale had the PSAC West on edge every week. A dual-threat, Barksdale led one of the nation's best offenses with 3,736 yards passing and 30 touchdowns while adding 687 yards and five scores on the ground. In ... Read More
PSAC West Pigskin Preview: IUP
With the Division II football season kicking off next week, teams from the PSAC West are out to make a name for themselves in the world of Division II. Last year, Slippery Rock made a run into the playoffs before losing to Winston-Salem State. This year, IUP is ranked atop the PSAC West again but the No. 23-ranked team in the D2Football.com poll will be looking to replace key contributors from a season ago. The Crimson Hawks of IUP will have to replace its top passer, rusher and receiver from ... Read More
Pete Coughlin looks to lead W&J to third straight PAC title
Given a preference, no coach wants to enter a season with a young and inexperienced quarterback under center. That's especially true for a program like W&J, who contends for the Presidents' Athletic Conference championship year in and year out. But while Upper St. Clair native Pete Coughlin may be young, the sophomore gained valuable experience a season ago filling in for injured starter Matt Bliss and W&J head coach Mike Sirianni feels very confident in where the Presidents are under ... Read More
Rick Shepas has Waynesburg ready for big things in 2014
The Waynesburg University football team has come close to capturing the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship the past couple of seasons, but haven’t been able to get over the hump. Yellow Jackets’ head coach Rick Shepas is hoping for a different story in 2014. With a shortened camp as Waynesburg only had about a week before the rest of the student population reported, the Yellow Jackets had to get right to business and that they did as things are looking good for Waynesburg as they ... Read More
PSAC media day brings insight into 2014 season
Last week, the PSAC West held its media day at Slippery Rock University. This gave media members an opportunity to talk to players and coaches, along with getting a first look at the PSAC pre-season coaches poll that ranked the eight western division teams. For the third consecutive year, perennial contender IUP was selected as the favorite to win the division with five first-place votes. California received the other three first-place votes and were selected second, while defending division ... Read More
Carter Hill has Waynesburg thinking PAC championship in 2014
The Waynesburg University football team reported to camp on Wednesday with high expectations of a Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship. After coming close to winning the crown the past two seasons, the Yellow Jackets are once again expected to compete for the PAC title. Much of that falls on the arm of quarterback Carter Hill. After spending the 2011 season at Division II Tiffin University, Hill came to Waynesburg in 2012 where he grabbed the starting job in Week 6 of that season and ... Read More
2014 PAC Preseason Poll: Big things expected from W&J and Waynesburg
As the Presidents’ Athletic Conference prepares to usher in a pair of new programs for the 2014 football season, it could be status quo at the top of the conference this season. Thomas More was tabbed the league favorites for the fifth time since joining the conference, at the annual PAC Media day this week. However by the end of the year a couple local programs could have something to say about that as Washington & Jefferson and Waynesburg finished second and third respectively in the ... Read More
Cal Pa. TE/WR Presley signs with Seattle
Another PSAC West player has found his way into the NFL. Former Cal Pa. tight end/wide receiver Morrell Presley has been signed by the Seattle Seahawks, according to reports. Presley was originally a USC commit as a five-star tight end when current Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was at the helm in Southern California. After decommitting from the Trojans, Presley went to UCLA. After various off-the-field issues took their toll on the big tight end, Presley transferred to Cal. While at Cal, ... Read More
Altavilla headlines PSAC players selected in MLB Draft
Two players from the PSAC West were drafted over the course of the MLB Draft which took place this past weekend. Leading the way by a landslide was Mercyhurst pitcher Dan Altavilla. Altavilla became the first Division II player taken and the highest Mercyhurst player ever drafted when the Seattle Mariners took the right-hander in the 5th round, 141st overall. He also became the highest selected draft pick from the PSAC since 1995. Altavilla went 9-1 over the 2014 season, including five ... Read More
IUP’s Barnes, Box to join forces in Washington
IUP's quarterback-wide receiver duo will continue their careers in the same landing spot. Following the last round of the NFL Draft Saturday night, IUP quarterback Mike Box was invited to the Washington Redskins mini cap, starting this Thursday. Then, multiple media outlets reported that his top receiver, and college roommate, Terrill Barnes has signed a free agent deal with Washington. During his senior season at IUP, Box completed 141-of-240 passes for 2,078 yards and threw 17 ... Read More