Wilkes returns home Saturday against FDU-Florham looking to bounce back in MAC play

WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. FDU-FLORHAM

9/27/2012 12:32:00 PM

(Complete Game Notes)

WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. FDU-FLORHAM

Wilkes Colonels (1-2, 0-2 MAC) vs. FDU-Florham (1-2, 1-1 MAC)
Saturday, September 29, 2012 - 1:00 p.m.
Schmidt Stadium

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

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THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University returns home to face FDU-Florham Saturday at Schmidt Stadium in the Ralston Athletic Complex. Wilkes dropped a 90-0 decision at No. 18 Widener University last week, its largest margin of defeat in school history. FDU-Florham fell 63-3 at Delaware Valley in Doylestown, Pa.

THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '85) enters his 17th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 99-72 (.578) 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.

Brian Surace (Gettysburg '95) enters his second season at the helm of the FDU-Florham football program. Surace 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 29th meeting between the two schools as Wilkes holds a 26-2 advantage in the series. The Colonels have never lost to FDU-Florham under Coach Sheptock (16-0). Wilkes took a 45-25 decision in Madison, N.J. last season.

UP NEXT
The Colonels host Misericordia University at 1:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium on Homecoming. It will mark the first-ever meeting between the two local schools in football.

GOING FOR 100
Frank Sheptock will be looking for his 100th career victory today against the Devils. Under Sheptock Wilkes holds a perfect 16-0 mark against FDU-Florham with its last win coming in Madison, NJ (45-25) 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 171 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .578.

THE COLONEL QBs
The Colonels have used their junior duo at quarterback for a majority of the season thus far with Alex George (York, PA/West York) receiving the start at Widener ladt Saturday. George went 11-for-23 for 76 yards while rushing for 29 yards on five carries. Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) did not make the trip to Widener with a shoulder injury but figures to see some time under center against the Devils this week. Berntsen has thrown for a team-best 323 yards on 25-for-44 passing and one touchdown, a three-yard strike to tight end Drew Devitt (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) against Albright in week two.

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) became Wilkes' first 100-yard rusher at Widener racking up 112 yards on a season-high 20 carries. He has also showed his versatility out of the backfield catching four passes for 37 yards. Joining Wogou in the backfield is sophomore Andrew Regan (Boonton, NJ/Boonton) who totals 90 yards on 29 carries this season.

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) has enjoyed a fine start to his rookie campaign catching eight balls for 68 yards in three games. Regan adds a team-best 10 catches for 140 yards, while Jonathon Conklin has made three grabs for 36 yards. Junior Tim Bousson (Shamokin, PA/Shamokin) chips in with two receptions for 25 yards. At tight end, sophomore Drew Devitt (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) has made an impact catching the football posting 10 receptions for 89 yards and recorded his first career touchdown grab on a three-yard reception from Berntsen against Albright.

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 32 starts between the three 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. All-MAC defensive end junior Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, PA/South Williamsport) had his season cut short due to a knee injury in the loss against Albright two weeks ago. Sophomore Tyler Thomas (Easton, PA/Easton) has stepped up to provide all the pressure needed on the quarterback posting season totals of 14 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and one sack. Freshman Jason Ugwu (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley), who has started in the place of the injured Houseknecht, recorded his first two collegiate sacks finishing with three tackles against the Lions in week two. Seniors Ryan Deeney (Milford, DE/Milford) and David White line up in the middle against the run. Deeney (5) and White (11) combined for 16 stops and one sack through three games played.

THE COLONEL LBs
An experienced, athletically gifted group of linebackers, including two starters, solidify the middle of 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 has posted a team-leading 30 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and one interception. He led the Colonels defense at Widener finishing with six tackles. His 15 stops against Albright were a season-high two weeks ago. Junior DJ Shuttleworth (Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) made a career-high 11 tackles against Albright and posts 19 total stops on the year while freshman Ty Cunningham (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) continues to make a big impact in his rookie year posting 15 tackles and one tackle-for-loss from his outside linebacker position.

THE COLONEL DBs
The Wilkes defensive backline is allowing 290.7 yards per-game through the first three 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) and at Widener (467). Rookie corner Marcus Leaf (Reading, PA/Berks Catholic) has seen significant playing time earning two starts the past two games. Leaf has totaled eight tackles and one pass break-up, while fellow corner sophomore Matt Briskie (Moosic, PA/Riverside) posts seven tackles and one pass deflection.

At safety, sophomore Jake Sarson (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) has been all over the field posting 22 tackles, while junior Paul Gaffney (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) adds 20 stops and one interception.

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 DEVILS
FDU-Florham returns seven offensive starters and eight defensive starters highlighted by quarterback Mike Santos. Santos has thrown for 698 yards on 58-for-98 passing and five touchdowns through three games. Defensively FDU-Florham has caused four turnovers while allowing 40.7 points per-game. Mike Mancino leads the Devils defense with 35 total tackles from his inside linebacker position.

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