Wilkes Colonels (4-0, 2-0) vs. Albright Lions (0-4, 0-2)
Saturday, October 12, 2019 - 1:00 p.m.
Gene L. Shirk Stadium
 
Game Notes
 
Live Stats
 
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THE MATCHUP
The Wilkes University football team will travel to Gene L. Shirk Stadium in Reading, Pa. Saturday to face Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) foe Albright College at 1:00 p.m. The Colonels are 4-0 for the first time since 2006 after their 45-12 Homecoming victory against Alvernia University last week. The Colonels, at 2-0, are also one of three MAC teams to have a perfect conference record heading into this weekend's slate of games. The Lions are currently on a 15-game losing skid and enter at 0-4 and 0-2 in the conference this year after falling at FDU-Florham 50-45 last Saturday.
 
THE HEAD COACHES
Jonathan Drach (Western Michigan '04) was named head coach of the Wilkes University football team on February 8, 2018 becoming the ninth mentor of the program since its inception in 1946. Drach will continue to serve as the offensive coordinator during the 2019 season. Drach pioneered one of the biggest turnarounds in Division III football last season when he led the Colonels to a 5-5 record (6-4 after picking up a forfeit) after the team went winless in 2017. Four Colonels were named All-MAC under Drach in 2018 as quarterback Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) was named to the second team while receiver Jeff Steeber (Shickshinny, PA/Berwick), linebacker Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) and defensive back Devon Fink (Pottstown, PA/Pottsgrove) all garnered Honorable Mention selections. Drach came to Wilkes after 11 years at Hobart. As the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Drach was instrumental in leading the Statesmen to six Liberty League Conference championships, seven NCAA playoff appearances and three consecutive undefeated regular seasons. He began his career as the quarterbacks coach in 2007 until adding offensive coordinator to his responsibilities in 2014. Drach coached the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017 and the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2016. He also coached seven All-League quarterbacks and a Bill Middleton Memorial Football Award Winner. A native of St. Charles, Ill., Drach earned his bachelor's degree in business finance and economics from Western Michigan University in 2004. A three-year starter, he enjoyed his finest year as a senior, completing a single season record 67 percent of his passes for 1,499 yards and 13 TDs.
 
John Marzka (Allegheny '91) is in his 13th season at the helm of the Albright 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. Leading into this season, the Lions amassed a 85-48 record and seven post-season wins under Marzka. He was named the 2009 John C. Whitehead / Nike NCAA Division III Coach of the Year. At Allegheny College he was a three-year letter winner and two-year starter at center and served as senior co-captain on the 1990 NCAA Division III National Championship team. Marzka, the 1990 Claire Jackson Outstanding Offensive Lineman recipient, also helped the Gators earn three NCAC Championships, two trips to the NCAA Playoffs and a 36-7-2 overall record during his playing career. He has had coaching stops at Erie Academy, Allegheny College, Fordham University, and Thiel College.
 
THE SERIES      
This will be the 43rd meeting between the schools as Albright holds a 25-17 advantage in the series. The Colonels defeated the Lions 47-43 at Schmidt Stadium last season to snap a seven-game losing skid to Albright.
 
UP NEXT
The Colonels host No. 13 Delaware Valley University at Schmidt Stadium on Saturday, October 19 for their fourth conference game of the season. The Colonels dropped a 21-10 game in Doylestown, Pa. to the No. 22 Aggies last season.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES OFFENSE (MULTIPLE)
- Wilkes is third in the MAC in scoring offense (34.3), second in total offense (438.5), eighth in rushing offense (127.5), and second in passing offense (311.0).
 
- Senior quarterback Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) has been a big reason why the Colonels are 4-0 for the first time since the 2006. He went 14-for-25 for 239 yards and three touchdowns through the air in the victory against Alvernia before coming out of the game in the third quarter. Tabora currently ranks fifth in program history in passing yards and last week surpassed 5,000 for his career, now standing at 5,166 yards. The Second Team All-MAC selection from a season ago currently ranks second in the conference and 15th in the country with 303.8 passing yards-per-game, fourth in the MAC and 26^th in the country with 1,215 passing yards, and third in the MAC and 44th in the nation with a 63.4 completion percentage.
 
- Junior wide receiver Nick Yanik (Edison, NJ/Edison Twp.) was the top target against Alvernia as he caught six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Yanik now has 98 career receptions for 1,383 yards. Yanik ranks second in the MAC and 13th in the country with 128.8 receiving yards-per-game and is second in the conference and ninth in the nation with 8.0 receptions-per-game.
 
- Richard Ermeus (Hillside, NJ/David Brearley) caught two passes for 58 yards last week including a 52-yard touchdown for his first career score. Freshman wide receiver Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) set career-highs with three receptions and 43 yards against the Golden Wolves. Bryce Harrison (Hunlock Creek, PA/Northwest) added the other touchdown reception last week for his second of the year.
 
- Freshman running back Kamaal Reed (Egg Harbor City, NJ/Cedar Creek) was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III - North Rookie of the Month for September last week and followed that up by rushing six times for a team-high 35 yards and a touchdown. Reed ranks 11th in the conference with 44.3 rushing yards-per-game. Sophomore quarterback Heath Hoovler (Sparrowbush, NY/Burke Catholic) recorded his first career touchdown last week with a third quarter rushing score.
 
- The Colonels offense ranks third in the conference and 29th in the country with a 48.1 third-down conversion percentage. Wilkes currently leads the MAC and ranks 12th in the nation in time of possession at 34:25.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES DEFENSE (4-2-5)
- Wilkes is third in scoring defense (18.5), third in total defense (299.5), third in rushing defense (97.5), and fourth in passing defense (202.0).
 
- The Colonels defense has been a strong point this season. Against Alvernia the Colonels intercepted two passes and had three sacks. Wilkes leads the MAC in opponent's third-down conversion percentage at 27.1 (13-for-48). That ranks 23rd in the country.
 
- Senior defensive lineman Vinnie Werner (Duncannon, PA/Susquenita) intercepted a screen pass and returned it for a tocuhdown last week to make the score 25-6 just before halftime. He also added a sack and three total tackles. Sophomore cornerback Nahjir Woods (Piscataway NJ/Piscataway) intercepted his first ball of the season and the fourth of his career for the other takeaway.
 
- Pat Ricci (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown) and Brandon Holcomb (Boynton Beach, FL/Boca Raton Community) each recorded one sack against Alvernia. Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) and Zack Nesheiwat (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) each broke up two passes in the game. Moyer ranks sixth in the MAC with 7.8 tackles-per-game.
 
- Junior linebacker Aidan Sinisgalli (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Jefferson Twp.) and freshman linebacker Jason Hampton (Lakeland, FL/Lakeland) led the Colonels with six tackles each against Alvernia.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES SPECIAL TEAMS
- Alexander DeSpirito (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Crestwood) hit a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter against the Golden Wolves for his fourth make of the year. He is also 15-for-17 on PATs this season. The junior averaged 39.2 yards on his four punts last week and 62.1 yards on his seven kickoffs including one touchback.
 
- Freshman Jason Schweizerhof (Warninster, PA/William Tennent) returned three kickoffs for 64 total yards including a long of 29 last week.
 
SCOUTING THE ALBRIGHT OFFENSE (MULTIPLE)
- Albright is eighth in the MAC in scoring offense (23.8), tenth in total offense (292.0), tenth in rushing offense (80.0), and eighth in passing offense (212.0).
 
- Senior quarterback Jimmy Lahay was 26-of-46 for 322 yards and five touchdowns last week in a 50-45 loss at FDU-Florham. He has thrown for 608 yards this season and 10 TDs. Sophomore quarterback Todd Shelley has also seen action in all four games this season, throwing for 240 yards on 22 completions and two touchdowns.
 
- Tony Thorpe rushed 18 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns last week and is eighth in the conference averaging 58.5 yards on the ground this season.
 
- Sophomore wide receiver Kevin Zehner had a big game against the Devils last week as he caught 10 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide out Zack Miller had 11 catches for 87 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
 
SCOUTING THE ALBRIGHT DEFENSE (3-4)
- Albright is 11th in scoring defense (56.0), tenth in total defense (500.0), 11th in rushing defense (249.8), and ninth in passing defense (250.3).
 
- Sophomore linebacker Sam Viera is second in the MAC with 9.8 tackles-per-game and fourth with 6.0 tackles-for-loss this season
 
- Ya'Meer Lowery leads the conference with three fumble recoveries this year from his defensive end/linebacker position.
 
- Defensive end Chistian Francis ranks second in the MAC with 7.0 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks.
 
- Freshman cornerback Omar Sesay had a team-high nine tackles and also an interception last week.
 
SCOUTING THE ALBRIGHT SPECIAL TEAMS
- Lucas Roselli is third in the conference averaging 26.4 yards-per-kick return this season (7 attempts) while Chris Holbrook averages 18.0 yards on his 10 kick returns.
 
- Kicker Chris Knop is 1-for-1 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points this season.