FIGHTING SCOTS CHOSEN THE FAVORITE IN PSAC WEST PRESEASON POLL

EDINBORO, PA - The bulls eye will be clearly on the back of the Edinboro University football team as it begins the 2005 campaign. The Fighting Scots have been chosen as the preseason favorite in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division. Voting was conducted among the head coaches in the division, with the poll announced today during the PSAC West Media Day at Cranberry, PA.

The rest of the Western Division poll has California(Pa.) ranked second, Indiana(Pa.) in third place, with Shippensburg fourth. Slippery Rock was voted fifth, followed by Clarion and Lock Haven in sixth and seventh place, respectively.

Edinboro is attempting to do what few teams have done before - win back-to-back-to-back PSAC championships. That is something that has only been accomplished four times, by West Chester (1959-61), Slippery Rock (1972-74 and 1997-99) and Indiana(Pa.) (1990-94).

Head coach Lou Tepper has guided his Fighting Scots to consecutive 9-3 finishes, finishing as the co-champions in the PSAC West a year ago along with Shippensburg and IUP. Edinboro has been selected for the NCAA Division II playoffs both years.

It comes as no surprise to Tepper that the Fighting Scots are the preseason favorite, particularly in light of being ranked eighth nationally by Street & Smith's 2005 Yearbook and 18th by Lindy's Football Annual. But the veteran coach is very wary of the upcoming campaign.

"We're pleased that the other coaches in the conference regard us so highly," commented Tepper. "It says something about the program we've been able to put together over the last few years. As a coaching staff we've discussed the PSAC West, and we think it will be highly competitive. California has an extremely talented team and IUP is always strong. Shippensburg lost a lot, but Rocky (Rees) always does a superb job. We think the rest of the conference will be dangerous, as well.

"Our plan is take one game at a time, beginning with West Virginia Tech on August 27. We're talented enough to beat anyone on our schedule, but without execution we can lose to anyone. We're looking forward to getting the players in on Thursday and starting our chase for a third straight PSAC West championship."

Edinboro returns 29 letterwinners, including seven starters on offense and eight starters on defense. The Fighting Scots have several holes to fill, particularly at tailback where not one tailback on the roster has recorded a carry as a Fighting Scot. However, with four starting offensive linemen returning, including third team Associated Press Little All-American Greg Bzorek (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch) at right tackle, Tepper is confident the Scots will feature an effective running game. Bzorek, a 6'6", 318 lb. senior, has started 34 of 35 career games and is a Street & Smith's and Lindy's preseason All-American. He's joined by junior Chris Kaczor (Brookpark, OH/Berea), a two-time All-PSAC West second team selection, at center. Kaczor has started all 24 games in his career. A year ago the offensive line gave up a PSAC-low nine sacks.

Justin Bouch (Brackenridge, PA/Highlands) has started 30 career games at quarterback, with a 20-10 record. The 6'3", 205 lb. senior has earned first team All-PSAC West honors the last two years. A year ago he completed 167 of 299 passes for a school-record 2,281 yards with 20 TDs and 12 INTs. Bouch ranks third in career passing yards (5,505) and career total offense (5,862) while standing fourth in career touchdown passes with 39.

Jeff Dinger (Conneaut, OH/Conneaut) is the top returning receiver with 24 catches for 265 yards and a touchdown. In addition, Bouch can count on Ryan Valasek (Natrona Heights, PA/Highlands) (23 receptions for 527 yards and 3 TDs) and Nate Eimer (Oswego, IL/West Aurora) (19 rec.-240 yards-4 TDs) as dependable receivers.

Defensively, Edinboro set a school record with 30 interceptions and led NCAA Division II with 42 turnovers forced. In addition, the defense ranked 14th nationally against the run, giving up 97.3 ypg. rushing, and led the PSAC with 33 sacks.

Leading the way is Seth Fragale (Emporium, PA/Cameron County), a 6'2", 220 lb. graduate student who was named the 2004 PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year. Edinboro's rush linebacker led the Scots with 100 tackles and 5.5 sacks, totaling 11 tackles for losses. Fragale was named a second team Lindy's preseason All-American.

Fragale is one of five All-PSAC West players returning on defense. The defensive line showcases A.J. Cousins (Chillicothe, OH/Chillicothe) and Chris Amico (Webster, NY/West Irondequoit). Cousins, a 6'1", 275 lb. noseguard, earned first team honors after registering 51 tackles and 5 sacks. Amico, a 6'0", 250 lb. tackle, had xx tackles and a team-leading 12 tackles for losses, including 4.5 sacks. He earned second team accolades.

The secondary also has two All-PSAC West performers in Tom Davidson (Geneva, OH/Geneva) and Chris Avery (Berea, OH/Berea). Both earned second team honors. Davidson fell one interception shy of tying the school record, finishing with eight pickoffs for 117 yards. The sophomore, a Lindy's second team preseason All-American, moves from free safety to strong safety.

Avery is a senior who has started 26 games at cornerback. He is tied for second in career interceptions with 13 after recording 6 interceptions a year ago and 7 as a sophomore.

Kody Robertson (Columbus, OH/Hilliard Davidson) provides the Fighting Scots with a strong kicking game. The junior earned first team All-PSAC West recognition after making 12 of 14 field goals and 46 of 50 extra points for 82 points. Robertson will also handle the punting duties in 2005.

Edinboro opens the 2005 season on Saturday, August 27, hosting WVU Tech in a 1:30 p.m. kickoff at Sox Harrison Stadium. The following week the Fighting Scots travel to East Stroudsburg for a meeting with the preseason favorite in the PSAC East. The Warriors ended Edinboro's season a year ago with a 36-32 win in the Northeast Region quarterfinals, and were a 20-7 victor over the Fighting Scots during the regular season.

~ Fighting Scots ~

Created on ... August 1, 2005