September 26, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Schmidt Stadium – Edwardsville, Pa.
 
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WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University football team concludes its non-conference slate under the lights on Saturday, hosting Montclair State at Schmidt Stadium.
 
The 7:00 p.m. kickoff is the Colonels' lone night game at Schmidt Stadium in 2026, and their first night home contest since the 2025 Mayor's Cup against King's on Sept. 4.
 
Saturday's contest is also Alumni Day for Wilkes football.
 
The Colonels enter their non-conference finale at 1-1, including 1-0 against NJAC opponents after defeating The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 28-8 on September 12. The Colonels come off a 41-27 defeat at Muhlenberg College, where the Mules ripped off 21 unanswered points to begin the second half to earn the victory.
 
The Colonels offense is currently averaging 27.5 points per game, trailing only nationally-ranked Susquehanna in the Landmark Conference. Quarterback Trey Dogmanits (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) has been efficient in his first two career starts, completing over 66 percent of his passes for 358 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the team in rushing with 86 yards and three scores. Despite the result, receiver Juju Fears (Easton, PA/Easton Area) had a monster game against Muhlenberg with a career-high 159 yards and his first career multi-touchdown game. Fears' 217 receiving yards on the season currently lead the Landmark Conference. Senior Nigel Linton (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall) started in place of Chibugo Chigozie-Nwousu at running back last week, recording 48 rushing yards and three receptions for 35 yards.
 
Tyler Wetzel (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) anchors the Colonels' defense, leading the team with 22 tackles, and his 11 tackles per game is also tied atop the conference. Defensive lineman Cohen Creswell (Winchester, VA/Millbrook) leads Wilkes with 2 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss and also recovered a fumble against TCNJ. The Colonels recorded a pair of interceptions against Muhlenberg, one by defensive lineman Nathan Reuther (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) and another by defensive back Ryan Opperman (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg).
 
On special teams, Peter Zarafonitis (Staten Island, NY/New Dorp) leads the Landmark averaging 42.9 yards per punt, including five of his ten punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Kicker Sebastian Hess (Glen Mills, DE/Salesianum) is 7-for-8 on extra points, and Daniel Pigga (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) has returned four kickoffs for 68 yards.
 
On the other side, Montclair State also enters the contest 1-1 following a bye week. The Red Hawks dropped their season opener to Merchant Marine Academy before overcoming a nine-point deficit with under five minutes to go to defeat Lycoming 30–28 on Sept. 12 in Williamsport. Montclair State scored a touchdown and two-point conversion to cut Lycoming's lead to 28–27, before Brendan McGonigle drilled a 21-yard field goal as time expired.
 
Montclair State's offense averages 394.5 yards a game, led by 2025 All-NJAC First Team member Diante Wilson. The workhorse tailback exploded for a career-high 175 yards and three touchdowns against Lycoming, earning NJAC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 14. Luke Henrich starts under center, throwing for 471 yards in the Red Hawks' first two games. Henrich has a two-headed receiving corps, highlighted by Ali Lee Jr. (13 receptions, 177 yards) and TJ Kachala (12 receptions, 167 yards).
 
Against Lycoming, the Red Hawks' defense limited the Warriors to only 14 points. Defensive back Jahmir Beal is the Red Hawks' leading tackler with 23 tackles and recorded an interception against Merchant Marine. Jontae Walters highlights a trio of Red Hawks with 13 tackles and leads the team with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
 
McGonigle is coming off a Special Teams Athlete of the Week against Lycoming, where he added a 46-yard field goal and a 69-yard punt to his game-winning kick. Lee Jr. serves as the Red Hawks' primary kick returner and has five returns for 141 yards.
 
The Colonels pulled out a 24–21 victory when these teams met a season ago in Montclair, thanks to a Nick Volpone (Delco, PA/Ridley) 26-yard field goal with 41 seconds left. Montclair State out-gained Wilkes 457–230, but the Colonels' defense forced four fumbles and limited the Red Hawks to seven points on three red zone trips to seal the win.
 
The Colonels begin Landmark Conference play next Saturday, Oct. 3, with a trip to Juniata College at 12:00 p.m.