Warren Ruda

Marcus Leaf and the experienced Wilkes defense will be tested against a high-powered Muhlenberg offense on Saturday

WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. MUHLENBERG

9/4/2014 6:00:00 PM

WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. MUHLENBERG

Wilkes Colonels (0-0) vs.Muhlenberg Mules (0-0)
Saturday, September 6, 2014 - 1:00 p.m.
Schmidt Stadium

Game Notes

Live Stats

Live Video

Live Audio (ESPN Williamsport: Zach Barlage and Joe Vasile, play-by-play)

THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University opens its 2014 regular season against Muhlenberg College at Schmidt Stadium on Saturday. Both teams will be taking the field for the first time this year.

THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Trey Brown (Colorado '93) enters his first year at the helm of the program in 2014. Brown comes to Wilkes after four years serving as the quarterbacks and special teams' coordinator at Muhlenberg. In his role with the Mules, Brown was responsible for coaching the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and special teams as well as the installation of the pass game. Prior to his time at Muhlenberg, Brown spent four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Lehigh University. The Mountain Hawk offense scored 30 or more points 15 times during his tenure and led the Patriot League in scoring in 2006, when its quarterback was named to the All-Patriot League first team. Brown coordinated an offense that averaged 32.3 points in league games in 2008 and 27.3 points in 2009. Lehigh scored more than 80 percent of the time it reached the Red Zone both seasons, including a Patriot League-best 87.9-percent efficiency in 2008.

Mike Donnelly (Ithaca '75) is the winningest head coach in the history of Muhlenberg College football with a record of 114-67 (.630) in 17 years. Since taking over a program that struggled in the years prior to his arrival, Donnelly has turned the Mules into a perennial championship and postseason contender and national top-10 team. Donnelly was named regional coach of the year by the American Football Coaches Association and D3football.com in 2007 after leading Muhlenberg to its first undefeated regular season in the 106-year program history. The Mules won the Centennial Conference championship, finished the regular season with a 10-0 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. The Mules are 112-53 (.679) in their last 165 games and have earned 10 postseason invitations since 2000. They tied for the Centennial Conference championship four straight years (2001-04) and made their first national playoff appearance in 2002.

THE SERIES
This will be the fourth meeting between the two schools as the Colonels hold a 2-1 advantage in the series meetings. Wilkes posted a 14-12 win over the Mules in 2009 in Edwardsville in the teams' last meeting.

UP NEXT
Wilkes continues its home stretch next Saturday when they open Middle Atlantic Conference play against Misericordia University at 1:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium. Wilkes took a 33-14 victory last season in Dallas, Pa.

FOR OPENERS
Wilkes is 5-5 in the season's first game over the past ten years, including 2-2 at home.

MAC PRESEASON POLL
The MAC preseason coaches poll was released on August 15 as Wilkes was picked to finish eighth. Lycoming College was picked first, receiving five first place votes, while Delaware Valley was chosen second with one first place vote.

1. Lycoming (5)
2. Delaware Valley (1)
3. Lebanon Valley (4)
4. Widener
5. Albright
6. King's
7. Stevenson
8. Wilkes
9. Misericordia
10. FDU-Florham

THE COLONEL QBs
One of the most inexperienced spots in the offense, Wilkes will have to grow game-by-game under center after graduating Tyler Berntsen (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) and Alex George (York, PA/West York) who both saw time as signal caller the past four seasons. Sophomore Ryan Dailey (Easton, PA/Wilson) has emerged as the top candidate to manage the offense this season. Although inexperienced, not having taken a college snap, Dailey has impressed with his decision-making skills and athleticism during camp. Senior Pat Cook (Walnutport, PA/Nothampton) and sophomore Marcellus Hayes (Camp Hill, PA/Camp Hill) add depth to the quarterback position throughout camp. Cook converted back to quarterback this year after playing on the defensive side a year ago. Hayes possesses a multi-dimensional run/pass threat which can flourish under the tutelage of Brown and the Colonel offensive scheme. Wilkes will look to improve on the 148.1 yards passing per-game last season with different approaches and style of offense this year.

THE COLONEL RBs/FBs
The run game will continue to be the cornerstone of the offense after averaging 171.9 yards per-game last season. Depth is the key to this position as Wilkes welcomes back three players from last year. Senior Ryan Behrmann (Seven Valleys, PA/Dallastown) leads the list of returners at tailback after playing wide receiver a season ago. Behrmann can run and catch the ball out of the backfield as proven by his eight catches and 79 yards last season as a slot receiver. The position change should make Behrmann flourish given his athletic skills and toughness. Sophomore Paul Martin (Frackville, PA/Marian Catholic) is back after an injury cut short his season last year. Martin rushed 23 times for 81 yards and three touchdowns, all coming in the Colonels opening win against Morrisville a year ago. Junior PJ Incremona (Wood Ridge, NJ/Wood Ridge) adds more depth to an already talented position after rushing 20 times for 80 yards as a sophomore. Sophomore Jacob Brook (Layton, NJ/Kittatinny) and freshman All-State performer Dustin Jones (Dallas, PA/Lake Lehman) will also vie for time in the backfield for Wilkes. At fullback, preseason All-American and Second Team All-Freedom performer Nick Dawson (Montoursville, PA/Montoursville) will again lead the Colonel running backs with his punishing lead blocking as well as being more of a threat catching the ball out of the backfield this season.

THE COLONEL WRs/TEs
With the passing game set to be a high priority in the Colonel offense this season, it's fortunate that Wilkes is the most experienced at the wide receiver and tight end positions. All three top receivers are back along with two returning tight ends which should make moving the chains that much easier. Senior Jon Conklin figures to be the Colonels top deep threat after hauling in 20 catches for 286 yards and three touchdowns last season. Conklin's speed and agility sets him apart from teams' secondary. Fellow senior Tim Bousson (Shamokin, PA/Shamokin) returns for his final campaign after missing last year with an injury. Two years ago Bousson made 11 catches for 166 yards. William Deemer (Washington Township, NJ/Warren Hills) has emerged as the third receiver in the group after a solid preseason camp. The sophomore saw time on special teams last season but used his speed to find a spot in the slot for Brown's offense. Freshman Ryan Richards (Plainsboro, NJ/Jersey Coast Prep) is also vying for time on the outside for Wilkes.

Senior Drew Devitt (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) and Ryan Casey (Manasquan, NJ/Manasquan) are back to solidify the tight end position for Wilkes in 2014. Both players can block and catch which fits in Brown's offensive scheme. Devitt finished with nine catches for 142 yards and one touchdown, while Casey made six catches for 108 yards and one score last year. Senior Jeremy Hartman (Little Egg Harbor/Pinelands Regional), who played on the Wilkes men's basketball team this past winter, will also join Devitt and Casey at tight end. Hartman's athleticism and good hands make him a special playmaker for Wilkes this year.

THE COLONEL OL
The offensive line graduated three of its five starters, but returns two two-year starters in senior guards Joe Lane (Paterson, NJ/Paramus Catholic) and Michael Litwak (Minersville, PA/Minersville). Both Litwak and Lane will look to lead a young, but physical 8219offensive line in 2014 combining for 13 starts last season. Sophomore Ryan Dupre (Allentown, PA/Parkland) looks poised to take over the center position after playing in seven games earning one start last season. Sophomore Myles Webb (Harrisburg, PA/Bishop McDevitt) converts from his defensive line position last year to tackle this season bringing excellent footwork and strength to the spot. Freshman Alex Hollingshead (Abingdon, MD/Patterson Mill) has earned the other tackle spot thanks to his size and strength and will look to protect the Colonels' quarterback's right side. Cliff Francis (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Coughlin), Lucas Amarose (Atlas, PA/Mt. Carmel), Jake Schannauer (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson West Lawn) and All-State freshman Kyle Stearley (Berwick, PA/Berwick) will add depth to the Colonel line.

THE COLONEL DL
Both tackles are back as seniors Jon Koslop (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton) and Jeff Lee (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) anchor the middle of Wilkes' defense. Koslop, an All-Freedom Honorable Mention in 2013, finished with 13 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble last season while Lee posted 26 tackles. The defenses big play ability will again come from its bookends as Jason Ugwu (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) and Tyler Thomas (Easton, PA/Easton) return to cause havoc in opposing backfields. Thomas finished with 20 tackles (2.5 tackles-for-loss) while Ugwu posted 19 tackles (6.5 tackles-for-loss). Both possess endless motors and quickness that is unparallel in the MAC at the defensive end position. Sophomore Michael Fitz (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) is also back and can play both the tackle and end position in the Colonel lineup. Fitz finished a stellar rookie season with 33 tackles (6.0 tackles-for-loss), two sacks and one forced fumble. David Wilke (Nazareth, PA/Nazareth), Dominick Ammirato (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley) and Brandon Petrouskie (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) will all add depth to a rotating door on the front four.

THE COLONEL LBs
Wilkes prides itself on its rich history of linebackers over the years and the graduation of four-time All-MAC linebacker Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, PA/Cedar Cliff) and DJ Shuttleworth (Leesport, PA/Schuylkill Valley) put an end to the recent era of greats. Coach Brown is still optimistic about the young players who waited their turn in hopes to surprise the league in 2014. Sophomore Michael Condrad (Scranton, PA/Scranton) saw limited time last year as a rookie but has impressed all through camp. He finished with five tackles last season seeing the field in nine games. Condrad looks to replace the hole left by Moore-Jacobs. Tanner Geake (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl) is another sophomore poised on making an impact in his first season as a starter after finishing with four tackles last year. Senior Nick Gray (Northampton, PA/Becca) and sophomore Michael Paskas (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford) will man the outside linebacker position for Wilkes going forward. Gray posted 31 tackles in ten games last season while Paskas added 41 stops and two fumble recoveries before an injury caused him to miss the final three games of the year.

THE COLONEL DBs
Preseason All-American and Second Team All-MAC performer Omar Richardson (East Stroudsburg, PA/East Stroudsburg North) leads the list of returners after finishing with 59 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions last season. He took his one pick-off 78 yards for a score in the Colonels win at FDU-Florham. Richardson was tested throughout the season passing each exam on way to five pass break-ups. On the other side will be junior Jared Powell (Easton, PA/Easton) who moves up from his safety position from a year ago. Powell's physical style of play will benefit the Colonels on the outside. He finished with 29 8172tackles and one interception last year. Junior Marcus Leaf (Reading, PA/Berks Catholic) swaps from corner to safety thanks to his rangy athleticism and size. Leaf was also tested on the outside last year finishing with 54 tackles and six pass break-ups. Senior JT Keer, the Colonels top tackler back from last year, will man the other safety position. Keer posted 64 tackles, one interception and four pass break-ups last year in his first season as a full-time starter. Other players looking to add depth to the secondary include Ondre Roberts (Dunellen, NJ/Dunellen) and Jeff Mastrantuono (Waverly, NY/Waverly), both at the corner position.

THE COLONEL SPECIALISTS
Wilkes will have to replace kicker/punt Jordan Fredo (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport Area) after graduation this season. The punting seems to be solid as Bryan Mellon (Pottsville, PA/Nativity B.V.M.) returns ready to step into the starting punters roll. It has been a revolving door at the kicker spot as Behrmann, Stephen Brundage (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills), Hayes and Mastrantuono have all ventured in the spot. The Colonels will also look for a new kickoff specialist out of the group.

SCOUTING MUHLENBERG
The Mules bring a high-powered offense into Schmidt Stadium thanks to sophomore quarterback Nick Palladino and wide receiver Cody Geyer and tight end Michael Long. Palladino threw for 2,011 yards and 14 touchdowns as a rookie with 60 catches going to Geyer for 10 scores. Long is an All-American candidate at tight end hauling in 47 catches for 525 yards and four scores last season.

The Muhlenberg defense is highlighted by linebacker Jeremey Thomas who posted a team-best 59 tackles, 15.0 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks. Thomas also picked off one pass in eleven games for the Mules. The defense allowed just 14.5 points per-game, yielding just 293.8 yards of offense from opponents last season.

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