October 21, 2023
1:00 p.m.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium – Sellinsgrove, Pa.
 
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The Wilkes University football team hits the road for their toughest challenge yet this season, as they take on the No. 12 ranked Susquehanna University River Hawks in a showdown for the top spot in the Landmark Conference.

The Colonels come into this game following a historic 42-7 win in the rain over Keystone College, racking up 503 yards of rushing offense to set a new program record. Three Colonels rushed for over 100 yards on the day, led by Elijah Jules' (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) 164 yard performance with one touchdown.

The Wilkes run game has the best yards per carry average in the conference at 6.1, and sit second averaging 199.9 yards per game. Jules continues to lead the way with 592 yards this season, the second-most in the Landmark Conference. He is followed by JayJay Jordan (Reading, PA/Berks Catholic) with 325 yards and six touchdowns on the year. The first-year running back has shown more and more of his explosive ability as the year has progressed, and has a team-best 11.6 yards per carry. Jordan was named Landmark Conference Offensive Athlete of the Week for his 140 yard, two touchdown game against Keystone.

Isaiah Rodriguez (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon) has captained the Colonels under center, throwing for 1145 yards on 90 completions with 11 touchdowns through the air and two on the ground. The junior signal-caller is fourth in the conference in passing yards and fourth in total offense at 1199 yards. Junior wide out Devin Higgins (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley) leads the Colonels in receiving with 24 catches for 336 yards and two touchdowns.

Linebacker Tallen Murray (Vineland, NJ/Saint Joseph Academy) continues to be a leader for the Colonel defense at the second level. The sophomore linebacker leads the team in tackles and interceptions with 57 and two respectively. Murray's impressive totals not only lead the team, but sit him second in the conference in tackles and tied for first in interceptions. Junior Jesse Addesso (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph's by the Sea) leads the secondary with 35 tackles and leads the team with four pass breakups. Angel Ramos (Allentown, PA/Parkland) continues to dominate the Colonel pass rush, leading the team and conference with seven sacks, registering at least one in each of the past four games. He also leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss.

On special teams, Jordan remains at 545 yards on 24 attempts, and sits second in the Landmark Conference in that category. Zane Grover (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) is fourth in the conference in punt return yards with 81 yards on twelve returns. Punter Alex Orlando (Allentown, PA/Emmaus) leads the conference with an average punt distance of 40.9 yards on 29 kicks. His 39.9 yard career punting average is the fourth best in the entirety of Division III football.

Susquehanna comes into this contest undefeated on the season, squashing Juniata College 56-0 in their last outing.

The River Hawks boast the highest ranked total offense and defense in the Landmark Conference, as well as the highest ranked scoring offense and defense.

Sophomore quarterback Josh Erlich is Susquehanna's leading signal caller with 105 completions for 1148 yards and ten touchdowns. Erlich is just as much a threat on the ground as he is through the air, with 630 rushing yards on 102 attempts with five touchdowns. His favorite target has been Kyle Howes, who has 44 receptions for 589 yards and six touchdowns, putting him second in the Landmark in receiving.

Susquehanna's greatest weapon this season has been sophomore running back Tommy Grabowski, who leads the conference in rushing yards with 642 on 117 carries with eight touchdowns. In his last five games, Grabowski has rushed for over 100 yards, and scored at least one touchdown in all but one game this season for the River Hawks.

The Susquehanna defense matches up well against the Colonels, boasting the top run defense in the conference, only allowing 68.1 yards per game on the ground. Linebacker Garrett Carter leads the troops with 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles – all team highs. Defensive back Keith Green III leads the secondary in tackles and pass breakups with 43 and five respectively, while Josh Lesesne and Jake Schultes lead the team in interceptions with two each.

On special teams, junior kicker Christian Colasurdo sits atop the scoring charts for the conference, with his right foot responsible for 66 points.

After this game, the Colonels have a bye week before their final home game of the year against Catholic on November 4 at 12:00 p.m.