Complete Game Notes (PDF)

Wilkes (5-3, 4-1) at Widener (3-5, 2-3)
Saturday, November 6, 2010 / 1:00 p.m. 
Leslie C. Quick Stadium / Chester, PA 

LIVE STATS
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Widener: Schedule / Roster / Statistics

THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University goes on the road for the final time in its 2010 regular season schedule as it travels to Chester to take on Widener University at Leslie C. Quick Stadium.

Last week, the Colonels four fourth quarter touchdowns propelled them to a 31-14 win over MAC rival Lycoming College. Jr. RB Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) earned conference offensive player of the week honors for totaling 130 yards, including a 60-yard TD reception and a 24-yard scoring run. Widener is coming off of a 42-38 loss at Lebanon Valley last week which saw the Pride outgain the Dutchmen 220-130 on the ground.

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 93-63 (.596) 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.

Isaac Collins (Rochester '94) is in his first year on the sideline at Widener after spending the last four years as defensive coordinator at The Citadel. He has also been the recruiting coordinator at Delaware (2005) and at Lehigh (2000-03) and served as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Holy Cross (2004-05).

THE SERIES
Widener owns the all-time series lead with a record of 14-10-1 against the Colonels. In a series that began in 1983, Wilkes won four straight from 2003-06 and have been victorious in each of the past two contests.

UP NEXT
The Colonels wrap up their 2010 regular season schedule next Saturday when they host rival King's College for the Mayor's Cup. In a battle that was first played in 1946, Wilkes owns the series lead 18-6, as the two schools did not play from 1952 to 1993. After winning six straight from 2003-08, the Colonels were upset last season 33-16.

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 93 victories have been built up over 14-plus seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. In 156 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .596.

CARDIAC COLONELS
Of the Colonels five wins this season, four have been a one-score difference and 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 +20 (2.50 per game). The Colonels have forced 30 opponent turnovers, 17 fumbles and 13 interceptions, including 3 in the Lycoming win and 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 4 catches last week against FDU, Sr. WR Jordan D'Emilio (Stowe/Saint Pius X) moved into a tie for 6th place in school history for career receptions. Currently with 117, he is 23 behind Ryan Alston (1993-96) for 5th place. D'Emilio came into the season with 80 catches and has recorded 37 receptions for 414 yards and 3 TDs so far this season.

STREAKING
D'Emilio has now caught a pass in 25 straight games, one of the longest current streaks in the nation. During the streak, which dates back to a 24-14 win over FDU on Oct. 18, 2008, D'Emilio has caught 116 passes for 1,347 yards and 7 TDs. Amazingly, he started his streak with just the second catch of his career.

For the season, D'Emilio is 5th in the MAC with 4.6 receptions per game, averaging 11.2 yards on his 37 catches.

IT'S TIVALD TIME
Jr. RB Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) is one of many offensive weapons for the Colonels this season as he leads the team with 554 rushing yards and 830 all-purpose yards. His 6 total TDs are also tops on the team.

Tivald was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week after totaling 130 yards and 2 scores in the win over Lycoming, including a 60-yard TD catch and a 24-yard TD run. He's 5th in the MAC in rushing and had his first 100-yard rushing game of the year against Albright, going for 102 yards on 17 carries, including a long of 47 yards.

Tivald is also been a threat out of the backfield, catching 20 passes for 276 yards, including 5 for 98 against Lycoming. With 18 runs of over 10 yards and 5 catches of more than 20 yards, Tivald has been a big play threat averaging 5.9 yards every time he touches the ball.

HE THROWS, HE RUNS
A true dual threat, So. QB Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) leads the team in total offense, accumulating 1,133 total yards (863 pass, 270 rush) while throwing for 4 TDs and running for 5 more.

Against Lycoming, Berntsen had his first career 200-yard passing day, going 11-27 for 205 yards and a TD. It was his first pass for a score since the opener when he went 11-16 for 129 yards and 3 TDs in the win over Waynesburg.

On the ground, Berntsen is the Colonels 3rd leading rusher, going for a career-high 92 yards and 2 TDs on 18 carries in the win over Albright. Taking away sack yardage, the Monmouth transfer would have 336 rushing yards, going for 4.0 per carry.

THE BIG PLAY
The Colonels have come up with multiple big plays so far this season, with 41 runs of 10+ yards and and 19 passes of 20+ yards.

GETTING HIS TOUCHES
Fr. RB Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) has been a big contibutor in his first year, putting up 390 all-purpose yards. Wogou got his first 100-yard rushing day against FDU with 114 on just 5 carries, getting runs of 58 and 43 yards. He averages 8.1 yards per carry and has 3 TDs.

THE “WILD OX”
Last week against Lycoming, the Colonels debuted their “Wild Ox” formation, which lines up Wogou at quarterback in the shotgun formation. After using it twice in the 1st half for 8 yards, Wilkes came back to it in the 4th, gaining 11 yards on three straight running plays early in the quarter before busting out a 38-yard TD with 1:35 left that sealed the win for the Colonels.

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 led a 22-point 4th quarter comeback win over Leb Val, accounting for 101 yards and 4 TDs. He's also seen time on special teams, debuting on the punt return team against Utica and blocking a punt in the 4th quarter.

For the season, George is 15-26 for 129 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT and has 18 carries for 105 yards and 2 scores.

SHOWING HIS VALUE
Sr. TE Anthony Dorunda (New Milford/Susqehanna) is 3rd on the team with 18 catches for 167 yards, including a 20-yard TD catch with 2:36 left against Leb Val. 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 54 career starts in a Colonels uniform, as Webb has started every game since he's come on campus. After switching up the offensive line prior to the Albright game, they've combined with So. LT Simon Tkach (Lehighton, PA/Lehighton), Jr. LG Nick Riccio (Howell, NJ/Howell) and So. RT Chris Grube (Orwigsburg, PA/Nativity) to pave the way for 175.0 rushing yards per game and 12 TDs in five games, compared to just 113.3 yards and 3 scores in the first three games.

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, 3rd on the team. The senior is also 6th on the team in tackles this season with 36, including a career-high 14 tackles 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 97 tackles and 11.5 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 six of the seven games he's played in this season, and has 5.0 TFL and 2 sacks. Moore has totaled 70 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 4th in DIII with 13.50 tackles per game (108 total). He's recorded double digit tackles in all of Wilkes, including 16 against Albright.

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

TACKLE MACHINES
In addition to Moore-Jacobs, Sr. LB Ryan Clifford (Raritan, NJ/Bridgewater) has racked up 56 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.

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 eight starts this season, each with four. They've each been all over the field for the Colonels, combining for 47 tackles, 6.5 TFL and 4.5 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 joins Moore-Jacobs among the NCAA's leaders in tackles, tied for 16th with an average of 11.50 per game.

Gerhart's 100-yard interception return for a TD against Lycoming broke the previous school record by one yard. He's had a career-high 16 tackles twice this year and has 5 interceptions, just 2 away from tying the Wilkes career mark of 17 picks.

Nielsen has also flashed his big play potential this year, picking off two passes and recovering two fumbles. He's added 48 tackles this season, 4th on the team, 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 12-15 field goals and 21-22 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 school record. Horn leads the MAC with 12 field goals and is 1st in scoring among kickers with 57 points.

SCOUTING THE PRIDE
Widener is in the midst of a three-game losing streak after opening its conference season with two straight wins. The Pride has been outscored in those losses 108-72, although they scored 38 points last week at Leb Val.

At 21.4 points per game, Widener ranks 7th in the league in scoring. The Pride has, however, scored at least 27 points in four of their last five games, averaging 28.6. Leading that group on Saturday will either be So. QB Chris Haupt or Fr. QBs Colin Masterson and Tevin Campbell. Haupt has thrown for 1,060 yards and 6 TDs this season while Masterson has thrown for 309 yards and a score in limited time. However, when Haupt was injured last weekend, Campbell stepped in, going 4-5 for 28 yards through the air while running 14 times for 102 yards and a score on the ground. He's also the Pride's 2nd leading rusher with 196 yards on the season. Whoever takes the snaps will be throwing to Jr. WR Cedrick Clayton, who leads the MAC with 50 receptions on the year.

Under Collins direction, Widener is 2nd in the MAC in total defense, giving up 311.2 yards per game. Leading the charge for the Pride will be So. LB Joe Wojceichowski and Sr. DE Shane Szumski. Wojceichowski leads Widener with 50 tackles and has racked up 9.5 TFL, good for 7th in the conference. Szumski provides even more pressure off the edge as he leads the MAC and is 10th in DIII with 9.0 sacks and has 11.0 TFL. Although the Widener defense has only picked off 5 passes all year, they break up plenty of passes, totaling 26 this season. The main threat on the back end is Fr. CB Laquan Robinson, who has 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups.

Jr. P Kevin Huelster has been a threat on special teams, booting 6 50+ yarders and pinning 9 punts inside the opponents 20-yard line. 

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.

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.