Albright College (2-3/0-2 MAC) vs. King's College (0-5/0-2 MAC)
After last Saturday's shutout loss to Lycoming College, the Lions are still in the hunt for their first conference win of the 2010 season. This Saturday's match-up against the Monarchs of King's College should be another tough test for the red and white as they look to move forward with the rest of the 2010 season.
When: Saturday, October 16
Where: Shirk Stadium, Reading, Pa. (
Directions)
Start time: 1 p.m.
Gates Open: Noon
Tailgate Begins: 9 a.m.
Tickets:
$3 - Senior Citizens
$5 - General Admission
$7 - Reserved Seating
Free - Children 14 and under and Albright Students with College ID
GAMEDAY MEDIA
Webcast (Audio):
http://www.teamline.cc
Radio: WXAC 91.3 FM
Live Stats:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/albright/football/index.htm
COME ONE, COME ALL
This Saturday's game will be a special one. As part of the NCAA Take a Kid to the Game initiative all children ages 14 and under will receive free admission to the game with a purchase of one adult ticket.
IT ENDS HERE AND NOW
Since his arrival at Albright, head coach
John Marzka has never loss three regular season games in a row. Last Saturday's defeat marked only the second time that the Lions dropped back-to-back games in his four seasons in Reading. After falling in their final two games of the 2007, the Lions suffered their first postseason loss of the Marzka era when they fell to Montclair State in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.
WHATEVER IT TAKES IN 2010
After last Saturday's defeat the Lions offense is now ranked third in the Middle Atlantic Conference. With 28.6 points and 370.2 yards per game, the red and white trail Delaware Valley and Lycoming College who are both averaging 32.8 points per game and over 390 yards of offense respectfully. The Lions run game is currently sitting fourth in the MAC with 173.4 yards per game, while their passing game is also ranked fourth with 196.8 yards per game. Albright's passing efficiency of 125.4 is ranked third in the MAC having completed over 57% of their passes this season.
ALBRIGHT IN DIVISION III
Of the 236 teams in Division III, the Lions are currently ranked 67th in rushing offense with 173.4 yards per game. Going into Saturday's game with the Monarchs, the red and white are ranked 90th in total offense and 87th in scoring.
KELLY ON THE SIDELINES
After having one of the most prolific careers in program history, former quarterback
Tanner Kelly has joined Head Coach
John Marzka's staff for the 2010 season. Kelly will work primarily with the quarterbacks as well as being in charge of the offensive quality control. The ECAC Division III Player of the Year, Kelly ended his senior season as one of the top passers in the country, and was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year, ECAC Southeast Player of the Year, and D3Football.com East Region Offensive Player of the Year.
PAC-MAC CHALLENGE
For the first time ever members of the Middle Atlantic Conference and the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference faced each other in rivalry games in week 2. Albright along with Widener, Wilkes, Delaware Valley, Lycoming, and FDU-Florham pulled out victories against their Western Pennsylvania opponents. Next season, the Lions will host Geneva College in year-two of the PAC-MAC Challenge and for the first time in over 70 years. The rest of the conference will pack their bags and travel to their PAC counterparts in hopes to continue the dominance that is Middle Atlantic Conference football.
ODENWALT AND WHELAN TABBED AS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
Prior to the start of the 2010 season, senior offensive lineman
Matt Odenwalt and senior kicker
John Whelan were named Preseason All-Americans by D3PRODAY.com. The honor was the first for both players. The duo is also the only two returning players from the 2009 squad that earned MAC All-Conference honors.
HOLMES HOLDING STRONG
Josan Holmes, despite being limited to just 41 yards last week, continues to lead the Lions run game this season. With 486 yards this season, the Penllyn native has not only broke the 2,000 yard career rushing mark, but remains just one rushing touchdown away from breaking the all-time record of 30. Going into Saturday's game with the Monarchs, Holmes has rushed for 2,109 yards in just three seasons. Not only has Holmes rushed for 30 career touchdowns but he also has two touchdown receptions and has totaled 684 career receiving yards. In the nation, Holmes ranks 49th in rushing, 30th in scoring, and 22nd in all-purpose yards.
SHOWING HIS HEART
Even though Albright trailed Lycoming 50-0, junior fullback
Clif LeGrand never stopped working. The Maryland native rushed for a team best 53 yards on nine carries. So far this season, LeGrand has rushed for 90 yards on 19 carries and has two touchdowns.
POUNDING THE ROCK
Through their first five games, the Lions offense has totaled 1,851 yards of total offense. They have recorded 143 points and 95 first downs. On the ground they have rushed for 867 yards, while in the air they have thrown for 984 yards. When in the redzone, the Lions have scored on 17 of their 20 opportunities, and their time of possession (32:07) ranks fourth in the MAC.
CONTINUING TO GROW
Quarterbacks
Adam Galczynski and Ben Schaffle have continued to show promise throughout the 2010 season. Despite the two interceptions last Saturday, Schaffle is becoming more comfortable in the pocket every time he steps on the field. Galczynski has made the transition from linebacker to quarterback and continues to serve as one of the team's most vocal leaders. Through his first five games as a collegiate quarterback, Galczynski has completed 39 of his 63 pass attempts and has a passing efficiency of 143.0 which leads all active quarterbacks in the Middle Atlantic Conference.
HERE COMES THE DOG SOLDIERS
Last Saturday, the Lions defense had a busy afternoon. Senior
Eddie Mitchem led his teammates with 10 stops, while fellow classmate
Rob Mancinelli posted eight tackles. On the year, Mancinelli has taken over as the Lions' top tackler with 30. Behind him are
Mark Bergery and
Josh Hare who each have 23. Joe Arneth holds two of Albright's three interceptions. Bergery has broken-up six pass attempts and has Albright's only other INT.
Don Gould has forced the only fumble this season.
NOT TO LONG AGO
The rivalry between Albright and King's College began in 1993. Since then the Lions have prevailed a total of seven times in 13 meetings. Head coach
John Marzka has never suffered a loss to the Monarchs during his time at Albright. It was against King's that the Lions recorded their first and only quadruple overtime game back in 2001. In a game that went three hours and 25 minutes, the Monarchs managed to pull out the 35-32 win in the end.
Albright leads series 7-5-1
Since 2000...
2000 - KC 34-14
2001 - KC 35-32 (4OT)
2002 - KC 35-7
2005 - AC 42-23
2006 - KC 14-38
2007 - AC 24-21
2008 - AC 16-0
2009 - AC 34-16
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
So far this season the King's offense has been fueled by quarterback Corey Lavin. On the year, Lavin has thrown for 1,002 yards and is 84-for-172 with six interceptions. He has connected with his receivers seven times for TD's. One of Lavin's favorite targets this fall has been David Abdalla. The sophomore wideout has recorded 447 yards and three touchdowns on 24 catches. On the ground Eric Ofcharsky has rushed for 249 yards on 63 carries and has one of the Monarchs two rushing TD's. Defensively Ryan Kelly ranks second in the MAC in tackles with 59. Ryan Cordingly currently leads the team in TFL's with 6.5, sacks with 2.5, and fumbles forced and recovered with two each.
KING'S IN THE MAC
On the MAC preseason poll the Monarch's were picked to finish 8th after closing out their 2009 season with a 3-7 record and a 2-5 mark in the conference. Their only conference wins came against Widener University in week 6 and Wilkes University in the season finale. To date, King's ranks fourth in the MAC when it comes to total defense allowing 371 yards per game. When it comes to passing, the Monarchs are ranked fourth on the offensive side of the ball and third on the defensive side.
NEXT UP FOR THE LIONS
The Lions will pack their bags and head to Chester to take on Widener University next Saturday at 1 p.m.
