Complete Game Notes (PDF)

Wilkes (3-3, 2-1) at FDU-Florham (3-3, 0-3)
Saturday, October 23, 2010 / 1:00 p.m. 
Shields Field / Madison, NJ

LIVE STATS
FDUDevils.com

FDU-Florham: Schedule / Roster / Stats 

THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University continues its MAC schedule as it looks to get back in the win column this weekend when it travels to take on FDU-Florham at Shields Field in Madison, NJ.

The Colonels are coming off of a 30-18 loss to then 12th-ranked Delaware Valley at home. Wilkes held an 18-16 advantage at halftime with the help of 6 forced turnovers, but were unable to contain the Aggies' Matt Cook, who rushed for 324 yards and 4 TDs. After opening their season 3-0, the Devils have dropped three straight games, all MAC contests. FDU is coming off of a 33-21 loss at Lebanon Valley, a game in which they led 21-7 at the break.

THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85), in his 15th year on the Wilkes sideline, is the school's all-time career wins leader, racking up a 91-63 (.591) overall record. Sheptock has led the Colonels to two NCAA and six ECAC playoff berths during his tenure, along with a MAC championship (2006). Wilkes made the NCAA playoffs in 2005 and 2006, going 19-4 overall, including a 42-0 win over Washington & Lee in the first round of the 2006 playoffs. Since 1996, Sheptock has coached 12 All-Americans and 117 All-MAC performers.

Rich Mosca (West Liberty State) is in his ninth season as head coach at FDU, putting together a 23-62 overall record thru this season. The veteran has coached for nearly 40 years, which has included two stops with the Devils. From 1985 to 1989, Mosca served as offensive coordinator, helping lead FDU to a 24-19-1 record during that span.

THE SERIES
Wilkes owns a 25-2 edge in the series which has dated back to 1978 when the Devils were FDU-Madison. The Colonels are currently on a 19-game winning streak within the series, including a 27-6 ECAC Southeast playoff win 1999. Sheptock has never lost to FDU, earning a win in all 15 career meetings.

UP NEXT
The Colonels return to the Ralston Athletic Complex next Saturday as they host MAC rival Lycoming (5-1, 3-0) in a game that will be broadcast on Fox 56 in Scranton. Wilkes has won each of the last two meetings between the two schools.

WILKES HEAD MAN
The Colonels thrilling victory over Lebanon Valley marked Sheptock's 91st career win, the most ever by a head coach in Wilkes football history. He surpassed legendary coach Rollie Schmidt, who had a 90-73-1 (.552) record from 1962-81. Sheptock's victories have been built up over 14-plus seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. In 153 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .595.

CARDIAC COLONELS
Of the Colonels three wins this season, each has been a one-score difference and has been decided either in the game's final minute or in overtime. Wilkes defeated Waynesburg 38-35, getting an interception with 43 seconds left, in the season opener; Another interception with 35 seconds left sealed the Colonels 38-35 comeback win over Albright; And a rally from 22 points down in the 4th quarter and a goal line stand with four seconds left helped Wilkes defeat Lebanon Valley 35-28 in overtime last week.

CLIMBING THE RECORD BOOKS
With 7 catches last week against Delaware Valley, Sr. WR Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe/Saint Pius X) moved into 8th place in school history for career career receptions. Currently with 111, he needs 3 more to pass Ron Ulichney (1984-87) for 7th place. D'Emilio came into the season with 80 catches and has recorded 31 receptions for 299 yards and 3 TDs so far this season.

NEAR THE TOP OF THE MAC
D'Emilio is 2nd in the MAC in receptions, averaging 5.2 per game. He's caught at least 4 balls in each game this season, with a high of 7 for 50 yards and a TD against Del Val. Last season D'Emilio totaled 55 catches, averaging 5.0 per game, good enough for 5th in the conference.

IT'S TIVALD TIME
Jr. RB Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) leads the Colonels in both rushing yards (443) and all-purpose yards (592) so far in 2010. He had his first 100-yard game of the season against Albright, gaining 102 on 17 carries, and has a long rush on the year of 47 yards.

He's also been a threat out of the backfield, catching 13 passes this year for 149 yards, including 4 for 46 in the win over Lebanon Valley. Tivald is the 6th leading rusher in the MAC, getting 73.8 yards per game, and is averaging 4.8 yards per rush.

HE THROWS, HE RUNS
So. QB Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) leads the team in total offense, accumulating 689 total yards (490 pass, 199 rush) in 2010 while throwing and running for 3 TDs apiece. Against Albright, Berntsen completed 17-29 passes for 194 yards while running 18 times for 92 yards and 2 TDs.

Berntsen finished the Waynesburg game 11-16 (68.8%) with a 198.4 pass efficiency and no interceptions and has seven runs of 10+ yards this season, including a 28-yarder in the win over Albright. 

THE BIG PLAY
The Colonels have come up with multiple big plays so far this season, with 30 runs of 10+ yards and and 13 passes of 20+ yards. Berntsen has been a part of 14 such big plays, with eight rushes and six passes. Jr. WR Todd Eagles (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown East) has been on the receiving end of two big passing plays, a 34-yard TD against Waynesburg and a 35-yard TD against Springfield.

GETTING HIS TOUCHES
Fr. RB Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) has contibuted to the offense in his first year on campus. Through six games, Wogou has carried 18 times for 100 yards, a 5.6 average, and a TD. He's seen increased playing time in the last three weeks, getting 16 total touches for 84 yards, including a 21-yard rushing TD. He also has 4 kickoff returns this season for 59 yards.

MULTI-PURPOSE THREAT
Fr. QB Alex George (York, PA/West York), now the second-stringer, has seen time in two different roles this year. George stepped in at Lebanon Valley for two injured quarterbacks and led the Colonels to a 22-point come-from-behind overtime win. He accounted for 101 yards and 4 total TDs in the 4th quarter and overtime. For his efforts, he was named MAC and ECAC Offensive Player of the Week.

He's also seen time on special teams, debuting on the punt return team against Utica and blocking a punt in the 4th quarter. He's also participated on the kick return team, returning a squib kick for 2 yards.

SHOWING HIS VALUE
Sr. TE Anthony Dorunda (New Milford/Susqehanna) is tied 2nd on the team with 13 catches for 119 yards, including a 20-yard TD catch with 2:36 left against Lebanon Valley. He has also shown he can throw the ball, as he took a backwards pass from George and connected with D'Emilio on a 28-yard score in the 1st quarter against Delaware Valley.

LEADERS ON THE LINE
Sr. RG Joe Lemoncelli (Clarks Summit/Lakeland) and Jr. C Ben Webb (Shohola, PA/Delaware Valley) have combined for 50 career starts in a Colonels uniform, as Webb has started every game since he's come on campus. They helped pave the way for 810 rushing yards, including 226 in the win over Albright.

THE CENTURY MARK
Sr. DT Chris Swinarski (Old Bridge/Old Bridge) went over 100 tackles in his career against Albright, impressive for a defensive lineman. He's also piled up 19.5 sacks and 16.5 TFL in his three-plus years in a Wilkes uniform.

One of four captains for the Colonels, he leads the push on the defensive line with 4.5 TFL, which is tied for the team lead. The senior is also 6th on the team in tackles this season with 31 and had a career-high 14 tackles, 8 solo, from his defensive tackle position against Springfield.

ANCHORS OF THE LINE
Along with Swinarski, Jr. DT Jimmy Moore and Jr. NG Harry Reese (Plymouth, PA/Wyoming Valley West) have caused havoc upfront. Combined, the three have 77 tackles and 8.0 TFL this season, adding 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

Reese, starting on the defensive side this season after playing in the offensive backfield last year, has recorded at least 6 tackles in three games this season, including 7 in each of the first two. Moore has totaled 67 tackles for his career, with 40 coming last year, and has 12.0 career TFL.

TOP FRESHMAN
Fr. LB Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) has been very impressive in his first year, as he's 4th in DIII with 14.17 tackles per game (85 total). He recorded at least 13 tackles in each of Wilkes first five games, including 16 against Albright.

Moore-Jacobs also has 3.5 TFL while forcing a fumble and recovering 3 more.

He was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week for his play in the Colonels win over Lebanon Valley.

TACKLE MACHINES
In addition to Moore-Jacobs, Sr. LB Ryan Clifford (Raritan, NJ/Bridgewater) has racked up 48 tackles in 2010, good for 3rd on the team. He posted 9 in each of the Colonels first three games and had a season-high 11 in the win over Lebanon Valley. Clifford is also tied for the team lead with 4.5 TFL and has added a sack.

Last season, Clifford finished fourth on the team with 60 tackles, adding 4.0 TFL. He posted 7 tackles in a game four times, including each of his last three, where he combined for 33 tackles, 18 of them solo.

Jr. LB Walt Pabst (Scranton/Scranton) has also added to the tackle numbers for the Colonels, as he is 5th on the team with 35 tackles this season. He had a career-high 11 against Springfield, and had 37 with 2.0 TFL in 2009.

ADDING DEPTH
Not to be outdone are Fr. LBs Tom Calabrese (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) and Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport). They have combined for six starts this season, as Houseknecht has filled in for Calabrese in each of the last four. They've each been all over the field for the Colonels, combining for 36 tackles, 4.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks. They've also each picked off a pass, adding to their all-around abilities.

THE BALL HAWKS
Sr. SS Kevin Gerhart (Hummelstown/Lower Dauphin) and Sr. FS Greg Nielsen (Wharton, NJ/Roxbury) both find themselves around the ball on a frequent basis. Gerhart, named MAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Albright, is second on the team with 75 tackles so far this year, including a career-high 16 against Utica and Del Val. Gerhart joins Moore-Jacobs among the NCAA's leaders in tackles, tied for 10th with an average of 12.50 per game.

Against Albright, Gerhart recorded 9 tackles, but made his biggest contribution when he picked off a pass with 35 seconds remaining that led to the game-winning field goal.

Nielsen has also flashed his big play potential this year, picking off two passes and recovering two fumbles. He's added 37 tackles this season, including a career-high 9 against Springfield. His most important play came against Waynesburg when he picked off a pass with 43 seconds left to seal the win for Wilkes.

TRIPLE DUTY
Jr. Chris Horn (New Tripoli/Northwestern Lehigh) has handled field goal and extra point attempts, kickoff chores and the punting this season for the Colonels. Horn has been nearly perfect so far, connecting on 11-13 field goals and 13-14 extra points through six games. He was clutch in the win over Albright, kicking the game-winning 30-yard field goal with 10 seconds left, and had a big day against Del Val, going 4-4 including a 49-yarder, the longest of his career. Horn leads the MAC in scoring with 46 points and has 139 in his 3+ years.

In his first year as the full-time punter, Horn has averaged 33.6 yards on his 31 punts, putting five inside the 20 and posting three 50+ yarders. He's also flashed his strong leg during kickoffs, forcing opponents to receive them on their own 10-yard line on average and has 3 touchbacks.

POSITIVE RETURNS
So. WR David Kratzer (Flanders, NJ/Pope John) made his debut as the Colonels kick returner against Albright, making an immediate impact with four returns for 77 yards, including a long of 34 yards. He's averaging 17.2 yards on his 10 returns this season.

Fr. RB Calvin Garvin (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic) and Fr. WR Parrish Fells (York/Central York) have also seen time returning kicks this season, flashing their speed in their first year on campus. Garvin has returned 9 kickoffs for 153 yards, a 17.0 average, while Fells is averaging 18.2 yards on 4 returns, with a long of 27.

SCOUTING THE DEVILS
After a 3-0 start that saw the Devils average 26.7 points per game, the FDU offense has backed off a bit, putting up 18.3 points over its last three contests. At one point early in the season the top passing offense in the MAC, the Devils still rank 3rd, led by Sr. QB Matt Jeffers. Jeffers passes for 183.3 yards per game and has tossed 10 TDs. However, he's also thrown 10 INTs and has only completed 48.9 pct. of his 184 passes. When he throws, he'll be looking for Jr. WR Tim Grey, who leads the Devils with 16 catches and has 172 yards and 2 scores. Sr. TE Beau Reed and So. WR Doug Van Orden also figure into FDU's passing game, as each has caught 15 balls this year. Reed leads the team with 227 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per catch. Jeffers has two options in the backfield with Sr. RBs Brendon Griffin and Bayshawn Wells. The two have combined for 310 yards and 3 TDs. Or he could just run himself, as Jeffers is 2nd on the team with 165 yards, averaging 4.7 per carry.

The defense has also fallen off during conference games, giving up 20 points in the first three games and 41 in MAC competition. The Devils are in the top half of the league in rushing defense, surrendering 139.0 per game, but are dead last in pass defense, giving up 237.8 yards and 11 TDs through the air. Looking to turn that around against the Colonels will be Jr. OLB Steve Hoverson, who leads the team with 57 tackles (4th in the MAC) and 9.0 TFL (tied for 3rd). So. MLB Charles Thomas (48 tackles) and Jr. OLB Ryan Daly (46) add experience to the linebacking corp. In the backend, Sr. CB matt Porricelli has picked off 3 passes and broken up 6 more, leading the Devils defensive secondary. So. S Joe Mancini will also cover deep, as he has 2 interceptions, including one that went for a 54-yard TD, and 3 pass breakups.

The Devils have split up punting and kickoff chores among three different players, but use just one, So. K Travis Mullen, for field goals and extra points. Mullen has connected on 16-17 point afters but just 3-7 field goals, with two getting blocked. FDU has come up with blocks of its own, getting three so far this season.

THE NEW LOOK RALSTON ATHLETIC COMPLEX
The Ralston Athletic Complex is currently in Phase I of a $3 million renovation, which has seen a new synthetic turf along with lights added to the stadium. New fencing, a temporary visitor's press box and comfort facilities, as well as an upgraded public address system are additional features of this part of the project.

In addition to the Colonels football team, Wilkes men's and women's soccer along with field hockey will play on the new turf in the fall, while the lacrosse team will use the new field in the spring.

FOR OPENERS
After its thrilling 38-35 victory over Waynesburg on September 11, Wilkes is now 26-38-1 all-time in season openers since 1946. The longest win streak in their openers came from 1965-69 when the Colonels won five straight. Under Sheptock, Wilkes is 8-7 in the season's first game, including 5-3 at home.

MAC PRESEASON POLL
The MAC preseason coaches poll was released on August 3 as Wilkes was tied with Lycoming in the fourth slot. Delaware Valley, last year's conference champion, was picked first, receiving six first place votes.