Wilkes (0-2, 0-1) vs. Widener (3-0, 1-0)
Saturday, September 24, 2011 / 1:00 p.m.
Schmidt Stadium
THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University makes it 2011 home debut against Widener University in their second MAC contest of the season on Homecoming at Schmidt Stadium. The Colonels are coming off a 65-26 defeat at Albright in their MAC opener last Saturday. Wilkes will also be dedicating Schmidt Stadium in honor of legendary Colonel coach Rollie Schmidt in a pre-game ceremony.
THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85) enters his 16th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 94-67 (.712) record. With the 94 victories, Sheptock is the all-time winningest coach in school history, passing Colonel legend Rollie Schmidt's (1962-1981) 90 wins last season. Sheptock has led the Colonels to two NCAA and seven 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 122 All-MAC performers.
Isaac Collins begins his second season as the head mentor for the Pride in 2011. In Collins' first season, the Pride closed with a 5-5 record and 4-3 in the MAC to end in a tie for fourth place. The season was punctuated with a 28-27 upset at No. 8 Delaware Valley as Widener scored 15 unanswered points in the final 7 1/2 minutes to regain the Keystone Cup. Collins arrived in Chester, Pa. after serving four years as defensive coordinator for The Citadel from 2006-09. He is no stranger to the region, serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Delaware in 2005 and at Lehigh from 2000-03.
THE SERIES
This will mark the 27th meeting between the two schools, as Widener holds a 15-10-1 advantage in the series. The Pride took a 41-21 victory last season in Chester, Pa.
UP NEXT
The Colonels head back to the road to face FDU-Florham next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Madison , N.J. It will mark the 28th meeting between the two schools as Wilkes holds a 25-2 advantage in the series. The Colonels have never lost to FDU-Florham under Coach Sheptock (15-0).
ON TOP OF THE RECORD BOOK
Going into today's game against Albright, Sheptock's 94 wins stands as the school's all-time leader. Sheptock's 94 career wins has been built up over 15 seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. In 161 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .712.
MAC PRESEASON POLL
The MAC preseason coaches poll was released on August 11 as Wilkes was picked to finish third. Delaware Valley, last year's conference champion, was picked first, receiving seven first place votes.
1. Delaware Valley (7)
2. Lycoming (1)
3. Wilkes
4. Widener (1)
5. Albright
6. Lebanon Valley
7. King's
8. FDU-Florham
9. Stevenson
THE COLONEL QBs
Sophomore Alex George (York, PA/West York) continues to excel under center this year recording his second straight 200-yard game in the loss at Albright. George threw for 236 yards on 16-of-26 and two touchdowns. He also continues to hurt opposing defenses with his legs, rushing 12 times for 59 yards. George tops the MAC in total offense averaging 291.0 yards per-game. Junior Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) also saw time in the contest going 2-of-6 for 56 yards. Bernsten carried the ball four times for 19 yards in the Colonels spread attack.
THE COLONEL RBs
Senior captain Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) was held in check at Albright with just eight carries for 21 yards. Sophomore Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) fared better on the ground posting 51 yards and one score on eight carries. For the game, Wilkes rushed for 180 yards and two scores. For the season, the Colonel ground game averages 171.0 yards per-game, ranking second in the MAC.
THE COLONEL WRs
Senior captain Todd Eagles (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown East), in his third season with the Colonels after transferring from West Chester, enjoyed another fine day against Albright catching six balls for 63 yards and one touchdown, including an 18-yard strike. Eagles currently leads the MAC in receptions per-game (7.0) and ranks third in receiving yards per-game (103.0). Sophomore Tim Bousson (Shamokin, PA/Shamokin) posted his best performance on the outside this season with two catches for 59 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown (1st of the season). Sophomore Daniel Curry (Drexel Hill, PA/Cardinal Ohara) posted two catches for 62 yards, including a 46-yard completion.
THE COLONEL OL
The offensive line returns three of five starters from a season ago, led by senior captain and four-year starter Ben Webb (Shohola, PA/Delaware Valley). Webb is the epitome of consistency in the Colonel program having started in every game since he walked onto campus (33 games) at multiple positions on the line. Joining Webb are returning starters juniors Simon Tkach (Lehighton, PA/Lehighton) and Chris Grube (Orwigsburg, PA/Nativity) who have combined for 23 starts in their Wilkes careers.
THE COLONEL DL
The defensive line may be the deepest and most experienced group of the entire defense and it showed against Albright limiting the Lions to 130 yards on the ground. The group features five seniors led by captain Harry Reese (Plymouth, PA/Wyoming Valley West), in his second year on the defensive side of the ball after playing his first two seasons at running back. Reese posted two tackles against Albright and totals six tackles and one interception on the year. Fellow senior James Moore (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) had a solid outing posting four tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks. Moore sits fifth in the MAC in tackles for loss (4.5).
THE COLONEL LBs
Preseason All-American Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) continues to lead an experienced group of linebackers this season. Moore-Jacobs posted a team-best 10 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss at Albright. He currently ranks third in the conference in tackles (21) and 11th in tackles for loss (3.0). Sophomore Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) enjoyed his best outing of the season last week posting eight tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. Senior Seth Fetterolf (Berwick, PA/Berwick) added four tackles from his outside linebacker position.
THE COLONEL DBs
For the second straight game the Colonels struggled to keep the opposition's passing attack at bay. Against Albright, the Wilkes secondary allowed a season high 545 yards through the air including six touchdowns. The unit will look to bounce back against Widener who are the third best passing team in the MAC averaging 266.3 yards in the passing game through three games. Senior corners Matt Gunther (Easton, PA/Easton) and Joe Chrismer (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) man the outside for Wilkes. Gunther made two stops against Albright, while Chrismer finished with four tackles. Freshman Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) saw extended time in the secondary posting a career-high seven tackles last week.
THE COLONEL SPECIALISTS
The Colonels look to sophomore Geoffrey Arentz (Stevens, PA/Lancaster Catholic) to take on the kicking/punting duties in 2011. Arentz is 1-for-2 on field goal attempts, including a 25-yard field goal against Susquehanna. Arentz missed a 47-yard kick last week against Albright in his only attempt. Senior Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) continues to serve as kick-off return specialist averaging 22.7 yards per-return. Wogou has fielded one punt return, in week one at Susquehanna for 42 yards.
SCOUTING THE PRIDE
On offense, the Pride are led by senior quarterback Chris Haupt who threw for 198 yards (21-for-36) and one touchdown in the win against Lycoming College last week. For the year, Haupt has completed 77-of-131 passes for 795 yards and seven touchdowns. On the ground, Terrant Morrison tops the squad with 130 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. Cedrick Clayton is Haupt's favorite target on the outside, catching 18 balls for 227 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, Widener is led by Dylan Ditmer with 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Chad Gravinese leads the pass rush with a team-high 4.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss. The Pride defense tops the MAC in several statistical categories allowing just 82.3 yards on the ground and 207.7 yards through the air per-contes
