District College Football Preview for Saturday, October 9th

By: Bruce Markey
Thursday, October 7, 2010 | 12:00 AM

The second weekend of October brings Homecoming festivities to many schools including the PSAC and PAC, it also brings some marquee match-ups, all three of which can be heard right here on the MSA Sports Network.

Here are previews of the weekend's action and don't forget to check back early Sunday morning for a rundown of all the final scores and recaps:

Edinboro(4-1) at Slippery Rock(4-1) 6pm on WISR 680-AM and the MSA Sports Network

Both teams are 1-1 in the PSAC West. The Fighting Scots fell from number twelve to twenty-four in this week's AFCA Division II poll after a 18-0 shutout by IUP. Last week's shutout was the first for Edinboro since 2006, when they were blanked by East Stroudsburg.

Quarterback Cody Harris came into last week's game completing over 72 percent of his passes. He went 7 of 27 in the rainy conditions at Sox Harrison Stadium. Harris has dropped to 60 percent, but still has 625 yards and four touchdown passes. Gary Nolen is his favorite receiver with 21 catches. Nolen is also a dangerous return man, averaging over 25 yards per kickoff return.

Edinboro has struggled to run the ball, they are near the bottom in the conference rushing stats. Michael Battles leads with 190 yards on 64 carries.

The Fighting Scots are also near the bottom in pass defense, placing 15th out of the 16 teams, only Lock Haven has allowed more passing yards per game. Junior defensive end James Thomas leads the PSAC in tackles for loss with 9.5. Senior Dan Skelton and freshman James Jackson are tied for the team lead with three interceptions.

Both teams have struggled to throw the football, Edinboro is 13th and SRU 14th in passing offense. The Fighting Scots are plus nine for the season on turnovers, SRU is plus one.

The Rock defeated Clarion 16-13 last week. Backup kicker Kurt Brackman was the hero, hitting three field goals, the third coming from 32 yards out with 1:41 remaining.

Running back Akeem Satterfield is second in the conference, averaging 147.51 yards per game, that's good for third in the nation in Division II. Satterfield is second in the PSAC with seven touchdowns.

Freshman quarterback Ryan Sabo has received the bulk of the playing time, he is completing an even fifty percent of his passes, throwing for 670 yards and four touchdowns, with three interceptions. Redshirt freshman Michael Bongivengo came on last week and led the Rock to their only touchdown, scoring on a short run, it was Bongivengo's first college touchdown. Michael is one for two passing this season.

Receiver Devin Goda is the favorite target with 32 catches for 401 yards and four touchdowns. Goda is second in the PSAC for catches.

Robert Doiley leads the Rock in interceptions with two and punt returns, averaging 16.3 yards per return. The Rock leads the PSAC in pass defense, allowing just 124 yards per game.

It's back to back ranked opponents for the Rock, with the Fighting Scots this week and Cal U. next week. Slippery Rock leads the all-time series 45-24-1. Edinboro has won the last two meetings, including last year's 28-24 thriller with Josh Brown catching the game winner with 24 seconds left.

Saint Vincent(1-3) at Washington & Jefferson(2-2) 2pm on WJPA 1450-AM and the MSA Sports Network

It's Homecoming at Cameron Stadium.

The Bearcats are 1-0 in the PAC and are a half game back of Thomas More for first place, but lost to Geneva 27-23 last week. Brandon Hamilton scored two touchdowns for the Bearcats in the loss. Saint Vincent rushed for 297 yards last week, Mike Kale led the way with 102.

The Bearcats are using the two quarterback system, both Jake Smith and Aaron Smetanka threw touchdown passes last week. Receiver Tom Quirin is third in the PAC, averaging 63.5 receiving yards per game.

W & J is 2-1 in the PAC. Sophomore defensive lineman Andy McGill was named PAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in a 49-7 pasting of Westminster. McGill made six tackles, four behind the line of scrimmage, along with two quarterback sacks. W & J put up 465 yards of offense, while the defense allowed just 195.

Sophomore running back Brian Baldrige ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns last week. Another sophomore runner, Tim McNerney rushed for 82 yards and two scores. Baldrige is sixth in the PAC in rushing average, McNerney is 13th.

Senior quarterback Gino Rometo threw for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Rometo leads the conference, completing 65 percent of his passes, with eight touchdowns and just one interception.

The Presidents are second in the conference, averaging 32 points per game, trailing only Thomas More. W & J is second in the conference in the red zone, converting 13 of 14 times this season, with 12 touchdowns. Time of possession could be key, the Presidents and Bearcats are at the bottom of that category in the PAC.

W & J has won all three meetings, but had to sweat thru a 21-7 victory last season at Chuck Noll Field.

Waynesburg(2-2) at Geneva(3-2) 4pm on WBVP 1230-AM and the MSA Sports Network

It's Homecoming at Reeves Field, where the GT's have not won a game this season.

Waynesburg fell 24-17 to Bethany last week. The Yellow Jackets fell behind 14-0 and never could take the lead.

Quarterback Brad Dawon is second in the PAC, averaging 199 yards per game, despite missing one game. Dawson returned to the starting lineup last week.

Sophomore wide receiver Christian Jackson had six catches for sixty yards.

Sophomore kicker Jon Storck was named PAC Special Teams Player of the Week, he hit a 35 yard field goal in the loss.

Junior cornerback Sean Hunt picked off his fourth pass last week, he leads the PAC in interceptions.

Waynesburg is the most penalized team in the PAC, averaging over 103 yards of penalties this season. The Yellow Jackets also lead the conference with a plus six in turnovers. Waynesburg is 16 of 17 in the red zone this season with 13 touchdowns to lead the conference.

Geneva defeated Saint Vincent 27-24 last week in a game in which all of the points were scored in the first half. Corey O'Patchen caught a pair of touchdowns from David Giaradi, including a 51 yarder on the final play of the first half. Girardi leads the conference with 1,296 yards on 100 of 157 with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. O'Patchen leads the PAC with 572 yards and seven touchdown catches.

Gerald Muschette ran for over 100 yards for the fourth time in five games this season and added a pair of touchdowns. Muschette leads the PAC with 650 yards rushing and catches with 29.

Muschette and O'Patchen are second and fourth in the conference in scoring with nine and seven touchdowns respectively.

The Geneva defense was shredded on the ground, allowing 297 yards.

The schools meet for the 73rd time, Geneva defeated Waynesburg last season 49-39, Muschette ran for 136 yards and three touchdowns.

Monmouth(1-3) at Robert Morris(4-1) Noon
The Hawks are 1-0 in the NEC. Freshman kicker Eric Spillane was named NEC Rookie of the Week for his role in a 44-14 win over Duquesne. He was a perfect three for three on field goals, including a 45 yard attempt last week, he is seven for seven in his young career. The Hawks jumped out to a 31-0 lead last week, L.J. Caprio scored two touchdowns. The Colonials are 3-0 in conference. Linebacker Alex DiMichele became the third Colonial in four weeks to be named NEC Defensive Player of the Week. The senior from Sto-Rox made 19 tackles and intercepted a pass to help Robert Morris stay unbeaten in the NEC with a 35-14 win over Saint Francis. Sophomore quarterback Jeff Sinclair threw three touchdown passes and senior Myles Russ ran for 137 yards on 18 carries. Sinclair leads the NEC with 13 touchdown passes, Russ is now the fifth leading rusher in NEC history with 3,481 yards for his career. Saturday is the first of four consecutive NEC games at Joe Walton Stadium for RMU.

Duquesne(3-2) at Central Connecticut State(3-2) Noon
The Dukes are 1-1 in the NEC. Duquesne threw six interceptions last week in the loss to Monmouth. Quarterback Sean Patterson left in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. Freshman Marty Mitchell relieved Patterson, he was 10 of 18 for 135 yards and two touchdowns, including one to converted wide receiver Connor Dixon. Mitchell was intercepted four times. Freshman Ryan Ho is becoming a weapon for the Dukes, he gained 205 all-purpose yards helped by kickoff returns of 85 and 71 yards.
CCSU is 1-0 in conference. Everette Benjamin ran for 127 yards and a touchdown in last week's 24-14 win over Sacred Heart. Benjamin has reached the century mark in three of five games this season. Senior wide reciever Richie Martin had 165 receiving yards in a win two weeks ago against Bryant. Martin threw a 47 yard touchdown pass to Deven Baker last week. CCSU has won 11 straight games at home.

Saint Francis(1-3) at Albany(2-2) 1pm
The Red Flash are 1-1 in the NEC. Quarterback John Kelly accounted for both Saint Francis scores vs. Robert Morris with two touchdown passes. Kelly has seven td passes on the season, equaling his total from 2009. Senior linebacker Scott Lewis made 12 tackles last week. He is in third place on the NEC all-time list with 433 for his career. Lewis needs fourteen more stops to become the all-time leader.
The Great Danes are 0-1 in conference play. Redshirt freshman Justinian Mason was named NEC Special Teams Player of the Week. Mason scored on a blocked punt in the first quarter of a 23-20 win at Yale. He also caught a 28 yard pass on a fourth and five fake punt. The Great Danes also blocked both an extra point and field goal and recovered an onsides kick. Dillon Romain scored the go-ahead touchdown on a yard run midway thru the fourth quarter. Albany plays their first home game of the season, they are the last Divison I FBS or FCS team to play at home this season.

North Dakota State(3-2) at Youngstown State(3-2) 4pm
North Dakota State is 0-2 in the MVC but is still ranked number 17 in the FCS. They fell 28-16 to Western Illinois. The Bison have defeated Kansas, Morgan State and South Dakota, but dropped the conference opener to Northern Illinois two weeks ago. YSU is 1-1 in conference falling 35-25 to Missouri State. Tailback Jermaine Cook rushed for over 100 yards for the third time this season, gaining 167 yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns.

California(5-0) at Gannon(3-2)
Cal is 2-0 in the PSAC-West. The Vulcans have won 21 consecutive divisional games and maintain their number four ranking in the AFCA Division II poll this week. Cal leads the conference with 209 points scored. The Vulcans blew out Lock Haven 58-0 last week. Running back Lamont Smith is fourth in the conference in rushing, averaging 133 yards per game, that's good for seventh in the nation in Division II. The Cal defense is tied for the Division II lead in interceptions with 13. Smith has ran for over 100 yards in four consecutive games, he scored four touchdowns last week. Quarterback Josh Portis has thrown for 1002 yards this season, he has tossed eleven touchdown passes. Gannon is 1-1 in divisional play, coming off a Niagara Cup win over cross-town rival Mercyhurst 14-10 last week. Junior safety Chris Cook was named the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week. Cook made ten tackles and had an interception to seal the win. Cook now has eight picks for his career.
Junior Jason Ladouceur caught the game-winning 73 yard touchdown with just 2:01 remaining, it was his first catch of the season. Quarterback Zach Boedicker has racked up over one thousand yards of total offense, throwing for 786 and six touchdowns and running for 268 and four more scores.

Mercyhurst(3-2) at IUP(4-1) 2pm
It's Homecoming this week at George P. Miller Stadium. The Lakers are 1-1 in divisional play. Mercyhurst has allowed only 69 points this season, good for second in the conference behind Kutztown. Running back Gerald Anderson is fifth in the PSAC in rushing, averaging 126.6 yards per game, that places him eleventh in the nation in Division II. Anderson went over the 100 yard mark last week for the fourth consecutive week. Mercyhurst is tied for the national lead in interceptions with 13 on the season, they are tied with Cal for the top spot. IUP is 2-0 and tied for the top spot in the West Division with Cal. The defense is third in the conference, allowing just 70 points on the season. Head coach Lou Tepper is going for his 100th career win this week. Running back Harvie Tuck returned from a two-game absence and was named PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week. Tuck ran for 168 yards on 32 carries and a touchdown as IUP ground out 303 yards against a Boro defense that was giving up less than 93 yards per game. IUP did not attempt a pass in the second half. The passing game has struggled with quarterback Pat Smith out for the season. Bo Napoleon has completed only 47 percent of his passes with one touchdown and five interceptions.

Clarion(0-5) at Lock Haven(0-5) 7 pm
Both teams are 0-2 in divisional play. Clarion has lost five straight games after coming one win shy of qualifying for the Division II playoffs last season. Lock Haven now has the longest losing streak in the PSAC at 26 games, after Cheyney's win last week over Millersville. The Bald Eagles have not had a winning season since 1981. Ben Fiscus came on for Clarion last week and ran for 147 yards and a touchdown in a 16-13 loss vs. Slippery Rock. Alphonso Hoggard ran for 111 yards. The Golden Eagles completed only one pass in the SRU game. Wide receiver Jacques Robinson needs seven catches to become the Clarion all-time leader.
Lock Haven's last win came at the expense of Clarion 17-14 in overtime at Memorial Stadium in the 2007 season finale. Clarion leads the all-time series 42-16-1.

West Virginia State(0-4) at Seton Hill(1-5) 3pm
West Virginia State is 0-2 in the WVIAC. The Yellow Jackets fell 42-18 to Concord last week. Quarterback Ricky Phillips came off the bench to throw for 188 yards and two touchdowns, he also ran for 174 yards. WR Jermain King needs one catch to become the Yellow Jackets all-time leader. Seton Hill is 0-3 in the conference. The Griffins led 9-3 at the half, but West Virginia Wesleyan exploded in the second half for a 37-16 victory. Seton Hill has lost five straight since a season opening win vs. Bowie State. The Griffins lead the WVIAC with 21 turnovers. Quarterback D.J. Lenehan has thrown for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns but has 13 interceptions. The home team has won all three meetings between the teams.

Bethany(2-3) at Westminster(1-3) 1pm
It's Homecoming at Harold Burry Stadium. The Bison are 1-1 in the PAC. Freshman quarterback Matt Grimard was named the PAC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in a 24-17 win over Waynesburg. Grimard was 17 of 22 for 173 yards and also ran for 83 yards, including a five yard touchdown with 7:43 to play that proved to be the game-winner. Eric Walker ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns, he is the all-time leading scorer at Bethany. The Titans are 0-2 in conference play after a 49-7 loss at W & J. Sophomore receiver Gino Pasquinelli was one of the few bright spots for the Titans, he caught six passes, including a touchdown catch. Junior quarterback Shawn Lehocky threw for 134 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, he was sacked five times. Senior linebacker Tom Geraghty leads the PAC in tackles, he made ten last week. Jordan Rooney is seventh in the conference in punt returns, he has also blocked three kicks this season. Westminster leads the series 36-10-2, including wins in nine of the last ten meetings. The last Bison win in New Wilmington was 1940.

Thomas More(4-0) at Grove City(2-2) 2pm
The Saints are 2-0 and atop the PAC standings. The two-time PAC champions defeated Thiel last week 42-3 at Bank of Kentucky Stadium. With the win, the Saints moved into the top ten at number nine in this week's AFCA Division III poll. Junior Kendall Owens put up 158 yards of offense and scored twice in last week's win. Sophomore quarterback Robert Kues threw for 140 yards and a score, he also ran for a touchdown. Freshman running back Dominque Hayden ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on just twelve carries. Thomas More leads the conference in both scoring offense and defense. The Saints are the second least penalized team in the PAC. The Wolverines are 1-1 in the PAC. Grove City is 4-0 in games coming off the conference bye week. It's Homecoming at Robert E. Thorn Field. Running back Blaine Miller is second in the conference with 270 receiving yards. Opponents are shutting down wideout Luke O'Hara, who has just nine catches for 119 yards and one touchdown. O'Hara had 53 catches and seven touchdowns last season.
It's a battle of conference leaders in rushing, Hayden is second in the conference at 110 yards per game. For the Wolverines, junior quarterback Clayton Hall is third at 108 yards per game. Thomas More is plus five in the turnover department, Grove City is even. Thomas More has won four of the five meetings between the teams, including the last two.

Kenyon(0-4) at Allegheny(2-1) Noon
Both teams are 0-1 in the NCAC. The Gators fell to Case Western Reserve 24-23 in overtime last week. Sid Facaros made fifteen tackles and returned a fumble 76 yards with 1:46 remaining to play to force overtime. Ryan Zipf kicked three field goals for the Gators, their only offensive touchdown came in overtime on a T.J. Salopek five yard toss to Terry Hartford. Zipf had his PAT attempt blocked by Jacob Adams to seal the win. Keynon fell 40-3 to Wabash last week. Sophomore defensive back Luke Bissinger's play was among the few highlights, he made seven tackles and picked off a pass. Keynon has only scored 51 points all season, that is second worst in the NCAC and has lost seven straight games.

Carnegie Mellon(3-2) at Ohio Wesleyan(0-5) 1pm
The Tartans racked up a school record 585 yards on the ground on the way to a 62-31 win over Hiram. Justin Pratt scored four touchdowns, running for 146 yards. Jared Delello added two scores for CMU, he added 101 yards on the ground. Jake Nardone picked up 128 yards and a touchdown for the Tartans. Freshman quarterback Mason Espinsoa threw a ten yard touchdown pass to freshman Rayce Risser for the only points in a 30-6 loss to the University of Chicago. Ohio Wesleyan has lost six straight games and scored only 46 points this season while allowing 170, both worst in the NCAC.