Complete Game Notes (PDF)

Wilkes (4-3, 3-1) vs. Lycoming (5-2, 3-1)
Saturday, October 30, 2010 / 1:05 p.m.
Ralston Athletic Complex / Edwardsville, PA

LIVE STATS
GoWilkesU.com

WATCH LIVE
Will air on The CW Network. Check site for local listings.

Lycoming: Schedule / Roster / Statistics / Game Notes

THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University returns home to face Lycoming College in a battle for second place in the MAC this Saturday at the Ralston Athletic Complex in a game that will be broadcast live on The CW Network.

The Colonels are coming off of a 28-23 win over FDU-Florham last week that saw them rush for 219 yards and 4 TDs. Leading the ground attack was Fr. RB Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) who totaled 114 yards and a score on just 5 carries. Lycoming's five-game winning streak ended at the hands of nationally-ranked Delaware Valley last week, falling 36-0 at home.

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 92-63 (.594) overall record. Sheptock has led the Colonels to two NCAA and six ECAC playoff berths during his tenure, along with a MAC championship in 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.

Mike Clark (Lycoming '93) is in his third year at the helm of his alma mater, putting together a 16-12 overall record. With a MAC title and NCAA playoff appearance in his first year, Clark has been apart of 70 wins, 7 conference championships and 7 NCAA playoff teams as a player, assistant coach and head coach with the Warriors.

THE SERIES
Lycoming owns a 34-16 advantage in the series which dates back to 1947. The Colonels have had two four-game winning streaks, winning games from 1947-50 and from 1971-74. Wilkes has won the last two straight, 17-13 last year and 27-13 in 2008. 

UP NEXT
The Colonels go on the road for the final time this season when they travel to Chester to take on Widener University. Wilkes has prevailed in six of the last seven meetings with the Pride.

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 now 92 victories have been built up over 14-plus seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. In 155 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .594.

CARDIAC COLONELS
Of the Colonels four wins this season, each has been a one-score difference and has been decided either in the game's final minutes or in overtime:

    Opponent                              Decided
1. Waynesburg, 38-35            Nielsen pick with :43 left in 4th
2. Albright, 38-35                     Gerhart pick leads to Horn FG with :10 left in 4th
3. Lebanon Valley, 35-28       Rallied from 22 down in 4th to tie, scored TD in OT
4. FDU, 28-23                           Withstood late rally, got Moore-Jacobs pick with 1:34 left

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
Wilkes tops all of Division III in turnover margin with a +17 (2.43 per game). The Colonels have forced 27 opponent turnovers, 16 fumbles and 11 interceptions, with 8 coming in the loss to #9 Delaware Valley. Offensively, the Colonels have given away the ball just 10 times, throwing 8 interceptions and losing just 2 fumbles.

CLIMBING THE RECORD BOOKS
With his 2 catches last week against FDU, Sr. WR Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe/Saint Pius X) moved into a tie for 7th place in school history for career receptions. Currently with 113, he is just 4 behind Jason Phillips (1996-99) for 6th place. D'Emilio came into the season with 80 catches and has recorded 33 receptions for 336 yards and 3 TDs so far this season.

NEAR THE TOP OF THE MAC
D'Emilio is 3rd in the MAC in receptions, averaging 4.7 per game. He's caught at least 4 balls in six of seven games 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 (522) and all-purpose yards (700) 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 15 passes this year for 178 yards, including 4 for 46 in the win over Lebanon Valley. Tivald is the 5th leading rusher in the MAC, getting 74.6 yards per game, and is averaging 4.6 yards per rush.

HE THROWS, HE RUNS
So. QB Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) leads the team in total offense, accumulating 887 total yards (658 pass, 229 rush) in 2010 while throwing and running for 8 total TDs. 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 35 runs of 10+ yards and and 16 passes of 20+ yards. Berntsen has been a part of 18 such big plays, including a 28-yard run and a 38-yard pass.

GETTING HIS TOUCHES
Fr. RB Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) has been a big contibutor to the offense in his first year, putting up 303 all-purpose yards. Wogou got his first 100-yard rushing day last week with 114 on just 5 carries, getting runs of 58 and 43 yards. He also has caught 6 passes out of the backfield and has returned 4 kickoffs. For the season, he's averaging 9.2 yards every time he touches the ball.

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 2nd on the team with 17 catches for 155 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 52 career starts in a Colonels uniform, as Webb has started every game since he's come on campus. They helped pave the way for 1029 rushing yards, including 219 and 4 TDs in the win over FDU.

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, 2nd on the team. The senior is also 5th on the team in tackles this season with 36, including 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 89 tackles and 10.5 TFL this season, adding 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Reese, starting on the defensive side this season after playing in the offensive backfield last year, has recorded at least 5 tackles in five of the six games he's played in this season, and has 4.0 TFL and 2 sacks. Moore has totaled 69 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 put up very impressive numbers in his first year, as he's t-5th in DIII with 13.57 tackles per game (95 total). He recorded at least 13 tackles in each of Wilkes first five games, including 16 against Albright.

Moore-Jacobs also has 4.5 TFL while forcing a fumble and recovering 3 more. His first career interception came last week with 1:34 left in the game, sealing the win for the Colonels.

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 53 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 leads the team with 5.5 TFL and has a sack and an interception.

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 6th 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 seven starts this season, with Houseknecht making four. They've each been all over the field for the Colonels, combining for 41 tackles, 4.5 TFL and 3.5 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, joins Moore-Jacobs among the NCAA's leaders in tackles, ranking 11th with an average of 12.29 per game. He's had a career-high 16 tackles twice this year and has 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles. 

Nielsen has also flashed his big play potential this year, picking off two passes and recovering two fumbles. He's added 42 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 magnificent, connecting on 11-14 field goals and 17-18 extra points. 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 field goals and field goal percentage, is 4th in scoring with 50 points.

In his first year as the full-time punter, Horn has averaged 34.4 yards on his 38 punts, putting 9 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 17.8 yards on his 11 returns this season.

SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
After falling to Rowan 24-17 in its opener, Lycoming reeled off five straight wins, averaging 35.6 points per game and outscoring opponents by more than 113 points. That ended last weekend when the Warriors lost to then-9th-ranked Delaware Valley 36-0, getting only 9 first downs and totaling just 196 yards of offense. Lycoming still has Sr. RB Josh Kleinfelter, who leads the MAC and is 7th in the nation with 146.0 rushing yards per game, adding 8 TDs. Kleinfelter has rushed for 100 yards in five games this season - all Lycoming wins - including two 200-yard days. Handing him the ball with be So. QB Zach Klinger, the conference's third-rated passer (126.5 efficiency). He'll be passing to Sr. WR Ryan Wagaman, who leads the Warriors with 27 catches, nearly 1/3 of the team's total receptions.

The Warriors defense is statistically the second best in the MAC, behind only Delaware Valley. Lycoming is allowing 17.9 points per game and 301.4 yards of offense, including just 95.0 yards on the ground. The leaders of the defense are Sr. S Chuck Bellitto and Jr. S Ray Bierbach. Bellitto leads the team with 49 tackles, including 24 solo, and has 4.0 TFL, 7 passes broken up and a 25-yard interception return for a TD. Bierbach leads the MAC with 5 picks for 131 yards, including an 84-yard score, and has 12 total passes defensed. Jr. DE Anthony Marascio leads the team with 3.0 sacks, adding 40 tackles and 4.5 TFL.

Sr. K T.J. Chiarolanza handles kicking duties for the Warriors, connecting on 7-8 field goals and 22-25 extra points. Fr. P Zach Czap has pinned 12 of his 37 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line, forcing 4 fair catches, and has a 33.6 average. So. KR Parker Showers leads the team with a 22.4 average on his 11 kick returns with a long of 58 yards.

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.