Warren Ruda

WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. FDU-FLORHAM

9/29/2011 2:59:00 PM

(Complete Game Notes)

Wilkes Colonels (1-2, 1-1) vs. FDU-Florham Devils (0-3, 0-1)
Saturday, October 1, 2011 - 1:00 p.m.
Robert T. Shields Field

Live Stats

Live Audio

THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University heads back to the road, their fourth of six games away from home this season, against FDU-Florham at Robert T. Shields Field. The Colonels are coming off a 35-27 victory over then unbeaten Widener University last Saturday. The win marked the first victory for the Colonels in the 2011 season.

THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85) enters his 16th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 95-67 (.586) record. With the 95 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.

Devils head mentor Brian Surace (Gettysburg '95) enters his first season at the helm of the FDU football program. Surace, the fourth head coach in Devils' football history, comes to FDU from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was the Offensive Coordinator for two stints (1999-2004, 2010). During his first tenure at RPI, he helped the team win two Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association Championships and in 2001, the Engineers earned the top seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament. In 2003, RPI went 11-2 and advanced to the Semifinals of the NCAA Tournament while Surace was named the American Football Magazine Offensive Assistant Coach of the Year.

THE SERIES
This 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). Wilkes took a 28-23 decision in Madison, N.J. last season.

UP NEXT
The Colonels host #21 Delaware Valley College for a MAC matchup scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium. It will mark the 48th meeting between the two schools as Wilkes holds a 30-17 series advantage. The Colonels are 11-5 against the Aggies under Sheptock.

ON TOP OF THE RECORD BOOK
Going into today's game against Albright, Sheptock's 95 wins stands as the school's all-time leader. Sheptock's 95 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) enjoyed a career day under center in last week's win over Widener recording a career-high five touchdowns (3 rushing/2 passing). George threw for 176 yards on 10-of-21 attempts and two touchdowns. He also continues to hurt opposing defenses with his legs, rushing 18 times for 98 yards and three scores including a 28-yard run. For his performance, George was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week. Junior Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) also saw time in the contest with four carries for 25 yards in the Colonels spread attack.

THE COLONEL RBs
Senior captain Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison) broke free from a slow early season start rusing for a season-best 147 yards on 21 carries. He found the endzone once on a 33-yard touchdown reception. Sophomore Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) also faired better on the ground posting 63 yards on 13 carries. For the game, Wilkes rushed for a season-high 332 yards and three scores. For the season, the Colonel ground game averages 224.7 yards per-game, first 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 Widener catching four balls for 84 yards and one touchdown, including a 37-yard strike. Eagles currently ranks second in the MAC in receptions per-game (6.0) and fourth in receiving yards per-game (96.7). Senior Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) posted two catches for 13 yards, while Drew Devitt (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) made one catch for three yards. Tivald finished with two catches for 62 yards and one touchdown through the air.

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). The offensive line showed their dominance in the win over Widener clearing the way for 332 yards and three scores on the ground in the contest. They kept George off the ground not allowing a sack on 21 passing attempts throughout. For the season, Wilkes has only allowed five sacks.

THE COLONEL DL
The defensive line may be the deepest and most experienced group of the entire defense and it showed against Widener limiting the Pride to 114 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 five tackles (0.5 tackles-for-loss) against Widener and totals 11 tackles and one interception on the year. Fellow senior James Moore (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) had a solid outing posting two tackles and 0.5 TFL. Moore sits second in the MAC in sacks (4.0).

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 14 tackles and his second interception against Widener. It marked the third straight game he has hit double figures in tackles. He currently ranks second in the conference in tackles (35) and 17th in tackles for loss (3.0). Sophomore Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) posted three tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. Senior Seth Fetterolf (Berwick, PA/Berwick) added six tackles from his outside linebacker position.

THE COLONEL DBs
The secondary improved greatly from their first two contests of the season causing three Widener turnovers through the air last week. The unit was led by freshman Dylan Mohring (Mohrsville, PA/Schuylkill Valley) with seven tackles and 0.5 TFL from his safety position. Corners senior Matt Gunther (Easton, PA/Easton) and freshman Jake Sarson (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) each recorded an interception. Sarson also added four tackles while Gunther finished with a season-best three pass break-ups. Freshman Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) saw extended time in the secondary posting three tackles and two pass break-ups 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-3 on field goal attempts, including a 25-yard field goal against Susquehanna earlier this year. Arentz missed a 47-yard kick at Albright and a 31-yard kick last week against Widener in his two other attempts. Senior Shawn Gregson (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) continues to serve as kick-off return specialist averaging 19.9 yards per-return. Junior David Kratzer (Flanders, NJ/Pope John) has fielded two punt returns averaging 7.5 yards per-return.

SCOUTING THE DEVILS
On offense, FDU-Florham is led by quarterback senior Ryan Cushman who has thrown for 530 yards and two touchdowns on 47-for-97 passing. Cushman also leads the Devils ground attack with 26 carries for 142 yards and one score. Sophomore Mike Larson follows with 60 yards on 23 attempts. Sophomore receiver Anthony Fruncillo is Cushman's favorite target on the outside recording 10 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown. The Devils have struggled to put points on the board averaging a conference-low 10.3 points per-contest. On defense, junior corner Shane Roland tops the squad with 24 tackles and one forced fumble. Junior linebacker Charlie Thomas follows with 19 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, and 0.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Steve Hoverson leads the pass rush with nine tackles, 5.0 TFL, and a team-high 3.0 sacks. The FDU-Florham defense ranks seventh in total defense allowing 491 yards per-game, while giving up a conference-high 51.3 points per-game.

Print Friendly Version