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PSAC Report (.pdf)
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SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Shippensburg University will host an exciting Homecoming football matchup this weekend as the Red Raiders renew their rivalry with PSAC Eastern Division opponent West Chester from Seth Grove Stadium. The contest is crucial for the playoff race, as both teams enter the contest with 3-1 divisional records and sit just one game behind Bloomsburg for the top spot in the East.

Tailgating will be taking place before the game behind the stadium. Be sure to check the official SU tailgating policy here. Additionally, any military member with proper identification to receive free admission into Saturday's game. More information can be found here.

The game is being broadcast live on Shippensburg University's student television station SUTV (21-local, 75-campus) and an audio feed will be simulcast on the radio (WSYC 88.7 FM) and on the internet (www.wsyc.org).

Today's contest is also the fourth of five home games that will be Webcast to the Internet and can be viewed for free at www.ship.edu/goraiders. Fans can log on and watch archived copies of all home games this season.

The Red Raiders have scored at least 23 points in all seven games this season, a feat not achieved since 1999, and have made convincing statements to the conference with victories over No. 15 Edinboro and previously undefeated East Stroudsburg.

Shippensburg currently leads the PSAC in scoring offense with an average of 35.3 points per game. West Chester's offense is nearly identical in terms of its proficiency, averaging 31.4 point per game to rank third in the conference.

The Red Raider Wing-T has also thrived with ball control, ranking first in the conference with an average time of possession at 32:56 per game and ranking second in the conference with an average of 195.3 rushing yards per game despite being held under 100 yards by Kutztown — the first time this season an opponent has held SU to double digits.

In addition to the knack for scoring points, the Red Raiders also lead the conference for total offense, averaging 410.7 yards per game. Shippensburg has rushed for 1,367 yards and thrown for 1,507 yards. Meanwhile, West Chester ranks fourth in the PSAC with an average of 395.4 yards per game.

The Red Raider defense has applied significant pressure on the quarterback this season. Through seven games, Shippensburg has totaled 23.0 sacks, which ranks third in the conference. That total is already more than the Red Raiders have totaled in each of the past two seasons and is just five sacks short of the production during the 2006 season.

Filling in for senior Josh Simmons last Saturday, sophomore linebacker Vinnie Ranauto was named the PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Week by the conference office after recording eight solo tackles, one tackle assist, 2.5 tackles for loss (including one sack) and one interception in a 26-22 victory over Kutztown. Ranauto was making just his second career start.

• Senior Chad DiFebbo finished the game over Kutztown by setting new career highs for completions and passing yards. He completed 21-of-39 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. DiFebbo's performances ranks 10th in school history for a single game and is the most since Gabe Maiocco '08 threw for 369 yards in 2007 against Lock Haven. DiFebbo's previous career highs were 19 completions and 321 passing yards set last season against Millersville.

THE COACHES

• William M. “Rocky” Rees is in his 20th season at the helm of the Red Raider football program and currently ranks tenth among active Division II coaches with 150 career victories. Saturday's victory over Kutztown marked the latest milestone for Rees. With that total, Rees ranks seventh in the history of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) for career coaching victories.
• Rees has a long and distinguished career in football that spans 37 years. The all-time leader for coaching victories in Red Raider football history, Rees has totaled an SU career record of 114-103-1 (.525) at Shippensburg. Overall, he owns a career mark of 150-118-2 (.556). In 2006, he became the first coach in school history to win 100 games with a 28-21 victory at Slippery Rock.
• Rees ranks fourth in tenure among conference head coaches behind Denny Douds of East Stroudsburg (36th season), Danny Hale of Bloomsburg (22nd season) and Dr. George Mihalik of Slippery Rock (22nd season). Additionally, Rees ranks sixth in career games coached among his active Division II brethren.
• Bill Zwaan enters his seventh season as head coach of the Golden Rams, riding a string of five consecutive appearances in the NCAA II playoffs. The 12-year college football mentor collected his 100th career win in last season's opener against Lock Haven and is one of only a handful of college coaches to lead a school to the NCAA Tournament semifinals at both the Division II and III levels.
• In six-plus years on West Chester's sideline, Zwaan has masterminded a 58-25 (.699) record, just won his third division title and earned his sixth trip to the NCAA II playoffs. He sports an overall record of 112-39 (.742) in 12 years. Zwaan has four times been named the PSAC Eastern Division coach of the year by a vote of his peers.

SERIES HISTORY

• West Chester holds a 21-8-1 lead in the series history. The 25-7 victory for the Golden Rams over the Red Raiders last season was the fifrth straight and the 11th of the last 15 for WCU. Shippensburg last nabbed the Golden Rams in the last game of the 2004 regular season, winning 24-21 in overtime.
• West Chester has been ridden the strength of its offensive attack. The Golden Rams have scored 20 or more points in the last 10 games against Shippensburg. The two teams have met every year since 2002, with West Chester holding a 5-2 margin over that span.