University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s Yves Bosmans (6) celebrates a touchdown during an NCAA Division II playoff game against Ashland University, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Stadium in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s Yves Bosmans (6) celebrates a touchdown during an NCAA Division II playoff game against Ashland University, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Stadium in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
Nearly half the Mountain East Conference’s football teams are idle, with West Virginia State, Fairmont State, Frostburg State and Concord all taking the week off.
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, meanwhile, has a stout task planned on Saturday. The Golden Eagles travel to West Alabama for a matchup of 2024 NCAA Division II playoff teams at 2 p.m. in Livingston, Alabama.
Both are also ranked in the top 20 in the coaches poll. ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä is tied for 18th and West Alabama checks in at No. 17.
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä (1-1) will carry the league’s top defense down south, as it leads the MEC in yards allowed per game (319.5), rushing yards (110.5), first downs (14 per game) and touchdowns, according to an MEC news release.
The challenge it will face is a Tigers (2-0) offense putting up 32.5 points and 356 yards per game through two weeks.
Ean Hamric pilots the Golden Eagles offense. He’s thrown for 385 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä has a two-headed rushing attack, with nearly equal splits in carries and yards. Zachariah Williams has 167 yards and a house call on 35 carries and Jaylen Butera checks in at 165 yards and a score on 37 totes.
The Golden Eagles also boast big-play receivers. Yves Bosmans has 191 receiving yards on just eight catches, for three TDs. Marquan Herron owns 66 yards on three receptions and two scores.
Brayden Jenkins and dual-threat QB Spencer Arceneaux counter ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s one-two rushing punch for West Alabama. Jenkins has 184 rushing yards and two TDs, and Arceneaux chips in 132 yards and three scores.
Arceneaux has thrown for 313 yards, two scores and one pick. Dearrius Nelson is his top target, with 113 yards on six catches.
Like the Golden Eagles, the Tigers sustained a narrow loss in the first round of last year’s postseason. West Alabama fell to Lenoir-Rhyne, 37-34, while ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä lost to Ashland, 40-38.
Elsewhere in the MEC
The league’s slate for this week began Thursday night, when West Virginia Wesleyan dropped a 31-0 decision to Ohio Dominican in Buckhannon.
That was the lone home game for an MEC team this week. Glenville State, Wheeling and West Liberty join ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä in going on the road on Saturday.
The Pioneers travel to Millersville (Pennsylvania), the Cardinals are at Lake Erie (Ohio) and the Hilltoppers head to Robert Morris.
