Oct 18, 2014 4 min read

When voting was revealed for the preseason coaches poll at the PSAC football media day in August, it was a real head-scratcher.

Indiana University, with just two returning starters on offense – both linemen – and six on defense, was the choice to win the West Division. California, with 11 returning starters, was second, and Slippery Rock was third.

Turns out that head-scratching might just have been a bout of dandruff.

“A lot of coaches vote on how you ended the season before,” said Cal head coach Mike Kellar. “IUP naturally gets a lot of respect.”

To this point in the college football season, the West Division played out just the way the voting went. Indiana, Cal and Slippery Rock are tied for first place with 4-1 records.

That can be partially broken today, when the Vulcans meet the Crimson Hawks in the annual Coal Bowl. Kickoff at Adamson Stadium is 1 p.m.

A win by Cal (5-1) would clear a path to the West Division title. Clarion, Gannon and Mercyhurst remain, three teams with a combined seven victories.

IUP (5-1) has Slippery Rock, Clarion and Gannon, three teams with a combined nine victories.

Interestingly, the seasons of Cal and IUP are mirror images. Both won a non-conference opener before losing a crossover game – Cal 24-21 in overtime to Bloomsburg, and IUP 44-7 to Kutztown – and both enter this encounter on a four-game winning streak.

“I expect them to come out and play hard,” said James Harris, Cal’s junior quarterback. “We need to go out and do what we’re capable of doing if we want to win. It’s always a fun week and an intense week of practice.”

Harris was solid, if not spectacular at times, completing 59 percent of his passes for 1,749 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. His counterpart is a familiar name at IUP, Chase Haslett. Yes, he’s the son of Jim Haslett, who was a linebacker at IUP before going on to a playing career in the NFL and a coaching career that included a stop in Pittsburgh as defensive coordinator (1997-99). Jim Haslett is the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins.

Chase Haslett also completed 59 percent of his passes but for 989 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. He came to IUP this year after spending three seasons at Illinois.

“Anybody who has a dad in the NFL or any other major sport will be recognized by their last name,” Haslett told The Penn, IUP’s student newspaper early in the season. “People will be critical of things, but I just have to go out there and make a name for myself.”

Last year, IUP knocked off Cal by intercepting two Cody Schroeder passes in the end zone. The 20-7 win by IUP started a spiral for Schroeder that ended with him losing the starting job to Harris and eventually transferring to Urbana.

“We just have to play to a consistent level to win,” said Kellar. “If we don’t, then it’s hard to win.”

Wash & Jeff (3-0, 5-0) at Bethany (4-0, 5-1)

When Washington & Jefferson routed Thomas More two weeks ago, many thought the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title was well in hand for the Presidents.

Not head coach Mike Sirianni, who believes today’s game at Bethany (1 p.m. kickoff) is just as important.

“They’re better than Thomas More,” said Sirianni. “They are more athletic and faster.”

Sirianni is concerned about the Bison’s defensive front, which he believes is the strength of the team.

“(The defensive line) concerns me the most,” said Sirianni. “This is like a playoff team’s defensive line.”

Maybe what has Sirianni concerned is the thought of last year’s 24-19 loss to the Bison in the Presidents’ weakest effort of the season. Bethany’s front seven has 27 quarterback sacks and junior end Nadim Raddar has 16 tackles for losses and 11 1/2 sacks.

They will need to play well against a W&J offense that has scored at least 48 points in each game. Ryan Ruffing is coming off a four-touchdown game against Grove City and has 18 for the season, which leads NCAA Division III.

Waynesburg (3-1, 5-1) at Westminster (1-3, 1-5)

If Waynesburg is to remain in the hunt for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, the Yellow Jackets must not slip up against the Titans.

That means a big dose of tailback Jake Forsythe and quarterback Carter Hill. The two combined for 245 yards and four TDs in a 35-15 win over Case Western Reserve.

Waynesburg has the PAC’s top scoring defense, allowing 18.3 points a game. The 110 points is second to Case Western’s 99.

Safety Mike Lopuchovsky leads the PAC in passes defended with 13 and is tied for the lead with four.