Upsets and the Expected, Week 1 in the PSAC

To make things easier on my extremely busy life, I have hired my first writer to my blog staff. Let me be the first to introduce our PSAC insider, Zach Simpson. I recently talked about in my CAL Football 2009 Preview that I wanted to really have a weekly post on PSAC and Vulcan Football. Well I thought it over, and made a decision. I decided that to do this, I needed the insight of a man who walks the campus of California University, and lives for Vulcan football. I could not think of any person other than close, personal friend of mine, Zach Simpson. He is currently in his senior year at Cal, but I know he will be attending Vulcan games with his hardhat and cowbell for many years to come.

Once a week, Zach will send me the prior weeks wrap-up, and a preview of the top matchups for the coming week. This is the first installment of "Zach Simpson, PSAC Insider."

Week 2, a chance to make noise!!!!

In week 1 of the PSAC season many things went as expected, and many things went, well not as expected. As a whole the PSAC went 9-5 out of League for the weekend. Impressive wins by Clarion, Bloomsburg, Edinboro, and IUP give the conference faithful much to be excited about. Disappointments abounded throughout the league as well, The California loss to unranked Saginaw Valley State was a major let down for the Vulcan’s who entered the weekend with a top ten ranking. A Wayne State drubbing of Mercyhurst took the wind out of the Lakers Sails. CW Post and Shippensburg also had set backs, but they were not completely unexpected.

In the two biggest wins for the League from week one you can stay on I80 and visit both of these fine institutions. First as the Golden Eagles of Clarion traveled south to Fairmont State and walked out of town with a twelve point victory. The Eagles have a core of young returning players and they really have a chance to make lots of noise as they are off to a solid start to the season.

The other big win for the PSAC came from the Danny Hale Coached Bloomsburg Huskies who took a 10-7 victory over the Nationally ranked Eagles of Ashland University. Holding the high powered offense of Ashland to 7 points could prove to be the most impressive stat from this game, because the Ashland offense should put up plenty of points on their GLIAC opponents.

The biggest let down has to come from the Mon-Valley, four time defending PSAC west champs fell out of conference to the unranked the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals. The Vulcans were mistake prone, failed to take advantage of opportunities, out worked, and generally out played. With that said, with two minutes left they were driving inside the Cardinal fifty with a chance to tie or win the game.

In other games from the past weekend, Gannon won by a point over the Storm of Lake Erie College 35-34. Virginia Union did not have the firepower to hang with the Warriors of East Stroudsburg and fell 19-6. Millersville, IUP and K-town all won games over NE-10 competition 31-28, 28-21 and 17-13 respectively. The Rock won by three over a Bowie State team with much experience who looks to compete in the CIAA this season, so a solid win for the Rock to open the season. In the only cross over of the weekend the Golden Rams dismantled the Bald Eagles of Lock Haven 43-0.

As we look back on the weekend we see many great storylines emerging and many still to be discovered, a few to think about may in fact be the expected: How good is Bloomsburg, West Chester and East Stroudsburg out east. How can Cal rebound, how good is Edinboro and IUP, and what about the Eagles of Clarion? Some of these will be answered this coming weekend as the first full week of cross-over games take place.

In week 2 many opportunity arise for programs to make major statements, regroup or even take that step towards the “P” word, playoffs. Some huge contest should make for a very exciting weekend of football all across the state.

In a preview of what many felt would be the “State Game 2009” the Huskies of Bloomsburg come to the Mon-Valley to play the Vulcans of California University of Pennsylvania. The Huskies are 1-0 and ranked #6 in the country and the Vulcans 0-1 have dropped to #17. Danny Hale’s Huskies hold a 4-2 mark vs Cal and will look to build on the momentum gained against Ashland last Thursday. Coach Luckhardt and the Vulcans must shake off the major disappointment and reenergize the fan base after the set back last Thursday. I look for a tight game and a hard fought battle. Sr. Dan Lattorre may have some unfinished business with Cal after the regional championship last fall.

Bloom 27 Cal 24

In the Second Biggest game of the weekend the Golden Bears of Kutztown will visit beautiful Clarion PA, and the winner will move to 2-0 and makes a case for early playoff talk. Coach Jay Foster has changed the culture at Clarion and he looks to continue to build on the momentum of the first week of the season. K-town may be a sleeper in the PSAC east race and could make a huge statement this weekend. I am absolutely in love with the game and cant wait to see who stands up, and mans up in the gut check game for these two programs.

Clarion 31 K-town 27

The Fighting Scotts will look to move up the rankings as the Rocky Reiss coached Red Raiders of Shipensburg come calling to Sox Harrison Stadium. I have much respect for the Raiders but QB Trevor Harris and the Scotts will be to much as they will roll along this week, 37-17

Gannon 1-0 will host ESU 1-0, both looking for bigger and better things in 2009 after lackluster 2008 seasons. Gannon can ride their weird home field advantage early but may come up short in the end as ESU walks away with a 21-14 win.

The Lakers and the Wolves are the only matchup of teams with out a win, but the Lakers wont be without a win for long and the Wolves will continue to struggle falling 45-14 in Erie to the Lakers.

Coach Tepper and the IUP Hawks should roll over the CW-post Pioneers from Miller Stadium this Saturday. IUP has more speed, talent and heart and should win going away 24-3.

Slippery Rock and Millersville: much like the GU, ESU game this is a gut check game, a chance to stay un beaten and move along toward division play. Millersville should come away with a victory but SRU is always tough on home field. I see MU, 24- 22 on a late charge that comes up short by the ROCK.

Week 2 is poised to be exciting and bring our fans to their feet, Cal Bloom should be an all time classic, If your are in the Valley come to the stadium come see a family grow together or shatter in front of everyone. I expect the Vulcans to be excited and play a great game and give our fans something to be proud of. Kickoff is 7pm live on FSN Pittsburgh.

Remember win or lose we are members of the Vulcan family. We stand and fight together. We back each other, and we will achieve great success together.