2008 Woodie Awards
Golden Rams to host IUP in first home playoff game since 2004 march to Final Four
By Matt Lombardo
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
When the dust settled in Bloomsburg Saturday, Indiana University (PA) lost all control of its own destiny, falling to the Huskies 41-35 in the regular season finale. Thanks to an inexplicable decision by the NCAA II Football Selection Committee, the Crimson Hawks serve as the Golden Rams opening round opponent in the NCAA playoffs.
The Golden Rams enter post-season play with a 9-2 record, only losing to Championship Subdivision (formerly D-IAA) University of Delaware and the top seed in the Northeast Region, California Vulcans. The Golden Rams earned the No. 3 seed in the Northeast region, in this, the Golden Rams school record fourth straight playoff appearance, and the first time Farrell Stadium will play host to a first round game since 2004.
"It means a whole hell of a lot more, starting at home," senior fullback Brandon Hargrose said. "Starting at home now, protecting our house, it's going to be good."
West Chester is riding the high of winning 8 of its last 9 games to close out the regular season. Offensively senior captain Bill Zwaan Jr. leads the Golden Rams from the quarterback position, he tossed 25 touchdowns and totaled 2,743 passing yards for the season. This postseason run represents his final hurrah as well as the quarterbkack's the last opportunity to win a Regional and National Championship under the tutelage of his father; head coach Bill Zwaan.
"We're excited about the playoffs, I don't really know much about IUP yet," Zwaan Jr. said. "It's very important for us as seniors to put together a long playoff run before we get out of here."
Osagie Osunde, having rushed for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns this season will be appearing in his first playoff game since 2005's first round 24-20 loss at C.W. Post.
The Golden Rams boast the fifth ranked defense in the PSAC. Led by seniors Mike Mignogno's conference leading six interceptions, and Lateef Ferguson's 106 tackles, WCU has the pieces in place on defense necessary to slow down IUP's rushing attack led Kareem Dutrieuille and his 752 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns.
The Golden Rams enter post-season play with a 9-2 record, only losing to Championship Subdivision (formerly D-IAA) University of Delaware and the top seed in the Northeast Region, California Vulcans. The Golden Rams earned the No. 3 seed in the Northeast region, in this, the Golden Rams school record fourth straight playoff appearance, and the first time Farrell Stadium will play host to a first round game since 2004.
"It means a whole hell of a lot more, starting at home," senior fullback Brandon Hargrose said. "Starting at home now, protecting our house, it's going to be good."
West Chester is riding the high of winning 8 of its last 9 games to close out the regular season. Offensively senior captain Bill Zwaan Jr. leads the Golden Rams from the quarterback position, he tossed 25 touchdowns and totaled 2,743 passing yards for the season. This postseason run represents his final hurrah as well as the quarterbkack's the last opportunity to win a Regional and National Championship under the tutelage of his father; head coach Bill Zwaan.
"We're excited about the playoffs, I don't really know much about IUP yet," Zwaan Jr. said. "It's very important for us as seniors to put together a long playoff run before we get out of here."
Osagie Osunde, having rushed for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns this season will be appearing in his first playoff game since 2005's first round 24-20 loss at C.W. Post.
The Golden Rams boast the fifth ranked defense in the PSAC. Led by seniors Mike Mignogno's conference leading six interceptions, and Lateef Ferguson's 106 tackles, WCU has the pieces in place on defense necessary to slow down IUP's rushing attack led Kareem Dutrieuille and his 752 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns.
RSS Feed
Be the first to comment on this story