Wilkes makes its 2012 home debut Saturday hosting Albright College at 2:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium

WILKES GAME NOTES VS. ALBRIGHT

9/13/2012 9:05:00 AM

WILKES GAME NOTES VS. ALBRIGHT

Complete Game Notes

Wilkes Colonels (1-0) vs. Albright Lions (2-0)
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Schmidt Stadium

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

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THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University makes its 2012 home debut against Albright College at Schmidt Stadium on Saturday. It marks the Colonels Middle Atlantic Conference opener after recording a 9-7 win over Morrisville in week one. Albright posted a 29-22 OT victory in its home opener over Stevenson University last week.

THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85) enters his 17th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 99-70 (.584) record. With the 99 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.

John Marzka (Allegheny '91) enters his sixth season at the helm of the Albright College football program. Named head coach in 2007, he and his staff inherited a 2-8 team and have since directed one of the most impressive turnarounds in NCAA history. The Lions have amassed a 37-19 record and three post-season wins since Marzka's arrival. His 74% win ratio prior to the start of the 2010 season was the best for any Albright football coach with at least three seasons leading the program, while his 26 wins are the most of any Lions gridiron coach in his first three years on the job.
Marzka led the Lions to a 6-5 mark in 2011 and a spot in the ECAC South-East Bowl.

THE SERIES
This will be the 36th meeting between the two schools as Albright holds a 19-16 advantage in the series. The Lions took a 65-26 victory last season in Reading, Pa.

UP NEXT
The Colonels take to the road for a MAC matchup with Widener University at 1:00 p.m. in Chester, Pa. Wilkes posted a 35-27 home victory last year over the Pride.

GOING FOR 100
Frank Sheptock will be looking for his 100th career victory today against the Lions. Under Sheptock
Wilkes holds a 7-7 mark against Albright with its last win coming at home (38-35) in 2010.

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 Albright, Sheptock's 99 wins stands as the school's all-time leader. Sheptock's 99 career wins has been built up over 16 seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. In 169 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .584.

THE COLONEL QBs
The Colonels used their junior duo at quarterback against Morrisville as Tyler Bernsten and Alex George (York, PA/West York) split time under center. Bernsten finished 10-for-18 throwing for 157 yards including a 52-yard strike to Andrew Regan (Boonton, NJ/Boonton). He rushed for 34 yards on twelve attempts. George finished 15-for-23 passing for 130 yards while rushing for a team-high 47 yards on fourteen carries. The duo combined to go 25-for-41 for 287 yards through the air.

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 after missing the Colonels first contest with a leg injury. Wogou also showed his versatility out of the backfield catching 19 passes for 186 yards and one score last season. Joining Wogou in the backfield is sophomore Andrew Regan (Boonton, NJ/Boonton) who rushed for 38 yards on 17 carries at Morrsiville.

THE COLONEL WR/TEs
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. Bousson caught one pass for 16 yards at Morrisville. Sophomore Ryan Behrmann (Seven Valleys, PA/Dallastown), who moves to wide receiver this season, finished with three catches for six yards two week ago. Freshman Payton Bachman (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) was impressive in his collegiate debut posting two receptions for 28 yards, including a 19-yard grab. At tight end, Dan Curry and Drew Devitt (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) provided a nice one-two punch combining for 86 yards receiving at Morrisville. Curry made five catches, while Devitt hauled in four passes.

THE COLONEL OL
The offensive line returns four of five starters from a season ago and is 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 37 starts between the four since last season.

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) 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. Houseknecht continued in the season opener finishing with six tackles and one sack. Thomas made four stops. Sophomore John Simon (Easton, PA/Wyoming Seminary) and seniors Ryan Deeney (Milford, DE/Milford) and David White line up in the middle against the run. Deeney and White combined for three stops in week one.

THE COLONEL LBs
An experienced, athletically gifted group of linebackers, including two starters, 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. He led the Colonels defense in week one finishing with nine tackles (one tackle-for-loss). Junior DJ Shuttleworth (Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) made five tackles at Morrisville while freshman Ty Cunningham (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) made a big impact in his collegiate debut finishing with five tackles and one tackle-for-loss from his outside linebacker position.

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 and week one proved to be no different. Wilkes allowed just 86 yards through the air at Morrisville limiting Mustang quarterbacks to 11 completions. Corners sophomores Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) and Matt Briskie (Moosic, PA/Riverside) combined for eight tackles and one pass break-up.

At safety, sophomore Jake Sarson (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) was all over the field finishing with four tackles, while junior Paul Gaffney (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) had a career-high seven stops and the game sealing interception late in the fourth quarter.

THE COLONEL SPECIALISTS
The Colonels kicker/punter junior Jordan Fredo (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport Area) enjoyed a career-day at Morrsiville proving to be the difference on the scoreboard. Fredo went 3-for-3 in field goals from 29, 27 and 18 yards out. His 18-yard boot with just over a minute left was partially deflected but still managed to make it over the crossbar to give Wilkes the road win. He also posted a 47.0 yard kickoff average in four attempts.

SCOUTING THE LIONS
Albright returns nine offensive and seven defensive starters in 2012. On offense, the Lions are led by junior quarterback T.J. Luddy passing for 240 yards on 26-for-42 and two touchdowns. On defense, junior linebacker Paul Hobbs leads the list of returners with 19 tackles (0.5 TFL) this season.

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