September 9, 2023
12:00 p.m.
ECAV Stadium
 
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The Wilkes University football team looks to bounce back from a tough opening season loss against cross-town rival King's College when the Colonels travel for the first time this year with a matchup at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
 
Wilkes enters the game with a 0-1 overall record after a 27-23 defeat at home against King's in the Mayor's Cup game. Wilkes was leading with under two minutes left in the game only to see the Monarchs use a late game-winning scoring drive to capture the victory.
 
Quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon) enjoyed a sound game under center finishing 17-for-26 passing for 223 yards and two touchdowns including an 80-yard strike to Jimmy Johnson (Fallston, MD/Fallston). Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) was steady as usual on the ground running for 101 yards on 19 attempts. Johnson led the wide out group with four catches for 113 yards and the one score, being named Wilkes most valuable player of the game.
 
Defensively Wilkes saw nine players record five or more tackles including eight each from Jesse Addesso (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph's by the Sea) and Donell Mackey-Woodson (Hartford, CT/Southington). Lance Priestas (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) led the defensive line with two sacks on the day.
 
Punter Alex Orlando (Allentown, PA/Emmaus) kept the territory game in tact punting three times for an average of 41.7 yards including one inside the 20. Nick Volpone (Delco, PA/Ridley) was 3-for-3 on point-after attempts but had his lone field goal of 23 yards hit the upright.
 
RPI enters the game with a 1-0 record after posting a 38-27 victory at Dickinson College in its season opener last Saturday. RPI led from start to finish holding a double-digit lead throughout the final two quarters of play.
 
Quarterback Jake Kazanowsky went 19-for-31 for 255 yards and two touchdowns to lead the air attack against Dickinson. Rookie Kayden White was strong on the ground in his collegiate debut rushing for 128 yards and two scores on 13 attempts. RPI scored three times on the ground rushing for over 216 total yards. Hayden Faraday was Kazanowsky top target posting 10 catches for 144 yards and one touchdown.
 
Defensively Anthony D'Agostino finished with a team-high eight tackles as the unit held Dickinson to just 121 yards on the ground.
 
Kicker Jared Elstein was perfect on the day going 5-for-5 on PATs as well as nailing a 31-yard field goal.
 
Following the game, Wilkes returns home on September 16 when the Colonels host SUNY Brockport at 12:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium.