Gameday Week 11/5/2005 - Game #8 WPU

Rowan Travels to WPU By Tom Wilson JT@rowanfootball.com William Paterson 2004 Highlights Play WGLS-FM audio highlights Rowan heads off to William Paterson to take on the Pioneers this Saturday. The Profs have won 10 straight contests against WPU and lead the series 29-5. This year under new head coach Mike Miello, the Pioneers (3-5) have won three out-of-conference games and have battled TCNJ 13-7 and Montclair 26-16 in close losses. Having two successful NJ high school head coaches (Miello and def. Coordinator Ed Stinson) take over a downtrodden William Paterson program is already showing benefits. While the talent to contend in the NJAC might not be there for the Pioneers, I doubt Profs fans will see the usual disarray and ineptitude coming from the WPU players and coaches. Miello has become the first football coach to post three wins in his rookie season since 1982. It might be tempting to look past the Pioneers to the season ending NJAC title showdown with Montclair. Hopefully the Profs will carry over the performance from the Brockport game. Rowan has held powerful rushing teams like Cortland and Brockport to an average of 67.5 yards per game. The Profs’ rushing defense is ranked 7th in the nation. William Paterson is only averaging 79 yards rushing per game, against lesser competition. This will be one of the big keys to the game. Force the Pioneers into 2nd and long and 3rd and long, then pressure the quarterback. WPU gives up almost four sacks per game. William Paterson is led by freshman quarterback Sean Ryan who has completed 84 of 164 passes for 1,065 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan has thrown six interceptions. Prince Breeden is the leading rusher with 349 yards and five touchdowns. The Pioneers have good speed at the wide receiver position with Kareen Moon, Pat Cobourne, and tight end Chris Schule. They’ve combined for 861 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively the Pioneers are led by safety Andy Howell, linebackers Kyle Harkins and Shadee Davis (a junior transfer from West Virginia), who have 68, 43, and 42 tackles respectively. I look for Joe Rankin and the offense to continue to improve and convert more scoring opportunities on Saturday. Last week, the Profs had 337 yards of total offense with 244 yards passing. The Pioneer game is the breakout game that Rowan needs. I think they’ll surpass their 444-yard average of total offense while Rankin gains more confidence. Profs should take care of business and remain the number one seed in the East. Homefield advantage in the playoffs is on the line.