Warren Ruda

Colonels head coach Frank Sheptock looks for his 100th career win Saturday at Widener

WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. WIDENER

9/20/2012 3:12:00 PM

Complete Game Notes

WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. WIDENER

Wilkes Colonels (1-1, 0-1 MAC) vs. #21 Widener Pride (3-0, 2-0 MAC)
Saturday, September 22, 2012 - 1:00 p.m.
Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium

Live Stats

Live Audio (play-by-play: Trevor Turner and Anthony Dorunda)

THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University takes to the road facing unbeaten Widener University Saturday at Leslie Quick Stadium. Wilkes dropped a 27-13 decision to Albright last week in its home debut. Widener ran past Misericordia 67-0 in Dallas, Pa.

THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85) enters his 17th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 99-71 (.582) 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.

Isaac Collins (Rochester '94) enters his third season at the helm of the Widener University football program. Widener went 9-2 last season, its best record in nine years, and won an ECAC Bowl for the third time in school history. Collins arrived 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. Collins also participated in the National Football League Minority Fellowship Program, completing coaching internships for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2001 and the New York Giants in 1999.

THE SERIES
This will mark the 28th meeting between the two schools, as Widener holds a 15-11-1 advantage in the series. The Colonels handed Widener a 35-27 loss, one of two defeats on the year, last season at Schmidt Stadium.

UP NEXT
The Colonels host FDU-Florham at 1:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium. Wilkes posted a 42-25 victory last year over the Devils in Madison, NJ.

GOING FOR 100
Frank Sheptock will be looking for his 100th career victory today against the Pride. Under Sheptock Wilkes holds an 8-6 mark against Widener with its last win coming at home (35-27) in 2011.

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 Widener, 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 170 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .582.

THE COLONEL QBs
The Colonels used their junior duo at quarterback against Albright with Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) getting a majority of the snaps under center. Berntsen finished 15-for-26 with 166 yards and one touchdown against the Lions. He ran for a team-best 76 yards on 14 carries, most coming on quarterback draw plays. Alex George (York, PA/West York) connected with a Wilkes receiver on three of four throws and rushed for 31 yards in limited time (two series of play).

THE COLONEL RBs
Wilkes has always featured a tough and talented running game and this season has continued the trend. Junior Auxence Wogou (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) returned to the lineup against Albright rushing for 70 yards on 16 carries. He also showed his versatility out of the backfield catching three screen passes for 31 yards. Joining Wogou in the backfield is sophomore Andrew Regan (Boonton, NJ/Boonton) who rushed for 23 yards on two carries against Albright.

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. Freshman Payton Bachman (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) enjoyed his finest showing as a Colonel in his young career hauling in five passes for 38 yards including several diving receptions over the middle of the field. Regan also added five catches for 30 yards, while Jonathon Conklin made one grab for 24 yards. Junior Tim Bousson (Shamokin, PA/Shamokin) also had one catch for nine yards.

At tight end, sophomore Drew Devitt (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) finished with three catches for 28 yards and recorded his first career touchdown grab on a three-yard reception from Berntsen.

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 Dave Cinalli (Miami, FL/Archbishop Coleman Carrol) and Joshua Haag (Center Valley, PA/Becca), and junior center Jake Jardel (Cresco, PA/East Stroudsburg) complete the line totaling over 39 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 has continued the trend this season finishing with three tackles against Albright. Thomas made four stops and posted his first sack of the year against the Lions. Seniors Ryan Deeney (Milford, DE/Milford) and David White line up in the middle against the run. Deeney (3) and White (7) combined for 10 stops and one sack in week two. Freshman Jason Ugwu (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) recorded his first two collegiate sacks finishing with three tackles against the Lions.

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 two finishing with 15 tackles (1.5 tackle-for-loss) and an interception.

Junior DJ Shuttleworth (Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) made a career-high 11 tackles against Albright while freshman Ty Cunningham (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) continues to make a big impact in his rookie year finishing with four tackles from his outside linebacker position.

THE COLONEL DBs
The Wilkes defensive backline is allowing 223.5 yards per-game through the first two weeks of the season. Wilkes allowed just 86 yards through the air at Morrisville limiting Mustang quarterbacks to 11 completions, but struggled against an experienced quarterback-receiver combo against Albright (319 yards). Corner sophomore Justin Pellowski (Mt. Carmel, PA/Mt. Carmel) finished with six tackles while rookie Marcus Leaf (Reading, PA/Berks Catholic), receiving the start in place of Matt Briskie (Moosic, PA/Riverside), made six stops and one pass break-up.

At safety, sophomore Jake Sarson (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) was all over the field finishing with 12 tackles, while junior Paul Gaffney (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) had a career-high eight stops.

THE COLONEL SPECIALISTS
After a career-day in the win against Morrisville (3-for-3 FG's including game-winner with 1:25 left), junior Jordan Fredo (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport Area) managed only one opportunity against Albright which was blocked from 24-yards out. Sophomore Zach Ross took over kickoff duties finishing with a 46.7 yard average per-kick in three attempts.

SCOUTING THE PRIDE
Widener returns eight offensive starters and 10 defensive starters highlighted by senior quarterback Chris Haupt. Haupt has thrown for 935 yards on 67-for-107 passing and 14 touchdowns through three games. The Pride lead the nation in scoring offense averaging 57.0 points per-game. Defensively Widener has caused 14 turnovers while limiting opponents to just 7.7 point per-game.

Print Friendly Version