Wilkes opens the 2012 season on the road at Morrisville State Saturday at 12:00 p.m.

WILKES GAME NOTES VS. MORRISVILLE

8/30/2012 1:31:00 PM

WILKES GAME NOTES VS. MORRISVILLE

Complete Game Notes

Wilkes (0-0) at Morrisville State (0-0)
Saturday, September 1, 2012 / 12:00 p.m.
Drake Field

Live Stats

Live Audio (Play-by-Play: Trevor Turner/Anthony Dorunda)

THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University opens its 2012 regular season at Morrisville State College at Drake Field on Saturday. Both teams will be taking the field for the first time this year.

THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85) enters his 17th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 98-70 (.583) record. With the 98 victories, Sheptock is the all-time winningest coach in school history, passing Colonel legend Rollie Schmidt's (1962-1981) 90 wins two seasons ago. 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 128 All-MAC performers.

Terry Dow (Ithaca '90) enters his 16th season as Morrisville State College's head football coach in 2012. In 15 seasons with the Mustangs, Dow has compiled an overall record of 67 wins and 85 losses (10-49 NCAA), claiming three National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Northeast Football Conference championships and two Region III championships. In 2002, Dow coached the Mustangs to a 9-2 overall record, the most wins at Morrisville State, and an undefeated conference record of 5-0 claiming the school's second conference championship in three seasons. That same year, Morrisville State took the Region III championship title and Dow was named the Northeast Football Conference Coach of the Year.

THE SERIES
This will be the first meeting between the two schools as the Colonels went 4-5 last season while Morrisville finished 1-9 overall in 2011.

UP NEXT
The Colonels will be idle next week welcoming their bye week. Wilkes will return to play September 15 making its home debut at Schmidt Stadium against MAC foe Albright College. Albright took a 65-26 victory last season in Reading, Pa.

FOR OPENERS
Under Sheptock, Wilkes is 8-8 in the season's first game, including 3-5 on the road.

THE RALSTON ATHLETIC COMPLEX'S NEW LOOK
The Ralston Athletic Complex is currently in Phase III of a $3 million renovation, which has seen a new synthetic turf along with lights and a state-of-the-art press box added to Schmidt Stadium. A new bleacher system and comfort facilities will complete the project.
In addition to the Colonels football team, Wilkes men's and women's soccer along with field hockey will play on the turf in the fall, while the lacrosse team uses the field in the spring.

ON TOP OF THE RECORD BOOK
Going into today's game against Morrisville State, Sheptock's 98 wins stands as the school's all-time leader. Sheptock's 98 career wins has been built up over 16 seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. In 168 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .583.

MAC PRESEASON POLL
The MAC preseason coaches poll was released on August 9 as Wilkes was picked to finish sixth. Delaware Valley, last year's conference champion, was picked first, receiving six first place votes.

1. Delaware Valley (6)
2. Widener (2)
3. Lycoming (2)
4. Albright
4. Lebanon Valley
6. Wilkes
7. Stevenson
8. King's
8. FDU-Florham
10. Misericordia

THE COLONEL QBs
The Colonels used two quarterbacks in 2011 and return both with loads of experience and a year of the offensive strategy under their belt. Juniors Alex George (York, PA/West York) and Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) each took a healthy amount of snaps behind center. George earned the starter role in nine games going 113-for-194 for 1,368 yards with 12 touchdowns through the air. He also used his ability to elude defenses with his feet rushing for 576 yards and nine touchdowns. Berntsen saw time in seven contests going 10-for-30 for 193 yards with one score. Similar to George, Berntsen kept opposing defenses honest on the ground rushing for 156 yards including a season-long 32-yard scamper.

THE COLONEL RBs
Wilkes has always featured a tough and talented running game and this season looks to continue the trend. Junior Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) returns after a solid year in 2011 where rushed for 425 yards and one touchdown, going for 5.7 yards per carry. Wogou figures to be the feature back this season following the graduation of Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ/Edison), the Colonels leading rusher in 2011 (938 yards, 9 TDs). Wogou also showed his versatility out of the backfield catching 19 passes for 186 yards and one score. Joining Wogou in the backfield is sophomore Andrew Regan (Boonton, NJ/Boonton) who enjoyed a banner rookie campaign where he was named All-MAC as a special team player. He rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown, going for 3.8 yards per carry.

THE COLONEL WRs
On the outside the Colonels boast a young, talented group of receivers with two returners who saw extended playing time a year ago. Junior Tim Bousson (Shamokin, PA/Shamokin) leads the group after posting 13 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns last season including a season-long 55-yard touchdown catch in week four. Sophomore Ryan Behrmann (Seven Valleys, PA/Dallastown) moved to wide receiver late last season and will begin this year on the outside proving to be a difference maker making seven catches for 83 yards and one score. A host of rookies will also add depth to the Wilkes receiving core.

THE COLONEL OL
The offensive line returns four of five starters from a season ago and will likely be led by its tackles junior Anthony Swain (Hunlock Creek, PA/Northwest Area) and senior Chris Grube (Orwigsburg, PA/Nativity). Both Swain and Grube provide leadership on the edge and will continue to provide Colonel quarterbacks time to throw in the pocket. Seniors Simon Tkach (Lehighton, PA/Lehighton) and Joshua Haag (Center Valley, PA/Becca), and juniors Joe Buffa (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) and Jake Jardel (Cresco, PA/East Stroudsburg) complete the line totaling over 33 starts between the four last seasons.

THE COLONEL DL
The defensive line may be the deepest it's been in years returning several starters and some talented freshman. It all starts with the Colonel bookends as All-MAC performer junior Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) and sophomore Tyler Thomas (Easton, PA/Easton) return to provide all the pressure needed on the quarterback. Houseknecht enjoyed a breakout sophomore season finishing second on the team in tackles (68) while leading the squad with 11 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks. Thomas added 17 stops, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, and one sack. Freshman Jason Ugwu (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) will also vie for time at defensive end. In the middle sophomore John Simon (Easton, PA/Wyoming Seminary) and seniors Ryan Deeney (Milford, DE/Milford) and David White return to protect against the run. Deeney posted eight tackles and 1.5 tackles-for-loss while Simon contributed five stops.

THE COLONEL LBs
An experienced, athletically gifted group of linebackers, including two starters, are back to solidify the defense in 2012. All-MAC performer Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) returns after topping the team in tackles for the second straight year. Moore-Jacobs posted 95 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Returning starter junior DJ Shuttleworth (Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) is also back after totaling 19 tackles in 2011. Freshman Ty Cunningham (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) has impressed during camp earning the starting role on the outside.

THE COLONEL DBs
The Wilkes defensive backline took some time to get settled last season as expected with the amount of freshman and sophomore starters heading into the year. As the season progressed, the group improved and began to make plays to setup the Colonel offense. The corners are set as returning starters sophomores Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) and Matt Briskie (Moosic, PA/Riverside) will man the outsides. Pellowski posted 47 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and 12 pass break-ups as a freshman while Briskie added 11 tackles and one interception.

At safety, returning starter sophomore Jake Sarson (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) is back after making 47 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, and one interception. Fellow sophomore Omar Richardson (East Stroudsburg, PA/East Stroudsburg North), who played mostly at corner last season, has transitioned to safety. Richardson proved to be a capable tackler last year making nine stops with one pass break-up. Junior Paul Gaffney (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) adds depth to the position contributing 12 tackles and one sack a year ago.

THE COLONEL SPECIALISTS
The Colonels welcome back kicker/punter junior Jordan Fredo (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport Area) and sophomore Zack Ross (Merritt Island, FL/Valley School) to steady the Wilkes kicking game. Freshman Frank Bobo (Southampton, NJ/Seneca) will push for field goal attempts.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
Morrisville returns seven offensive and eight defensive starters in 2012.On offense, the Mustangs will be led by senior running back Austin Henchey who posted 198 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown a season ago. On defense, junior linebacker Enrique Robinson leads the list of returners with 72 tackles (6.0 TFL) last year.

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