Albright College (4-3/2-2 MAC) at FDU-Florham (3-4/0-4 MAC)
Still in the hunt for a spot in this year's postseason, the Lions will look to record their third consecutive win at FDU-Florham this Saturday. With a record setting performance by
Josan Holmes last weekend, the Lions are beginning to hit their stride as they prepare for another tough conference match-up with the Devils of FDU-Florham.
When: Saturday, October 30
Where: Robert T. Shields Field (
Directions)
Start time: 1 p.m.
Gates Open: Noon
Tickets:
$8- Adults
$5 - Students
GAMEDAY MEDIA
Webcast (Audio):
http://www.teamline.cc
Live Stats:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/fduf/football/xlive.htm
GOING FOR THE HAT TRICK
For the fourth consecutive season, the Lions will look to record three straight conference victories this Saturday. Since coming to Albright, head coach
John Marzka has finished every season with at least four consecutive conference victories. In 2007 and 2009 Marzka led Albright to five straight MAC wins, while in 2008 he led his squad to four straight wins before falling to conference rival Delaware Valley.
WHATEVER IT TAKES IN 2010
After last Saturday's win at Widener, the Lions remain second in the Middle Atlantic Conference in total offense and scoring. To date, Albright is averaging 392.4 yards per game and 30.9 points per game. The Lions run game is currently ranked fourth averaging 179.1 yards per game, while in the air Albright's passing game is second with 213.3 yards per game and a 138.7 passing efficiency. On third down conversions, Albright ranks second having converted on 32 of their 82 chances. Going into Saturday's the Lions offense leads the MAC when in the redzone having scored on 26 of their 31 opportunities. The Lions defense ranks sixth in the MAC having allowed 2,701 yards and 208 total points this season.
ALBRIGHT IN DIVISION III
Of the 236 teams in Division III, the Lions are currently ranked 64th in rushing offense with 179.14 yards per game. Going into Saturday's match-up with FDU, the Lions are ranked 67th in scoring and 61st in total offense.
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.
ANOTHER ONE JOINS THE PARTY
It was recently announced that Misericordia University will be starting a collegiate football program. With the addition of the Cougars, the Middle Atlantic Conference now has 10 conference teams. Misericordia will kickoff their first season in 2012. Misericordia who are members of the MAC Freedom Conference have begun their search for a new head coach and are beginning renovations to all their athletic facilities. Along with Albright College, Misericordia is the only other college in the MAC that carries all 23 sanctioned MAC sports. This announcement comes less than two months after Stevenson University announced they will be joining the MAC for the 2011 season. Misericordia is located in Dallas, Pa. while Stevenson remains the only team to compete in the MAC from the state of Maryland.
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.
ADD IT TO THE LIST
Last Saturday, junior tailback
Josan Holmes cemented his position as one of the top rushers to ever play at Albright. Now with 34 career rushing TD's, Holmes has totaled 2,258 career rushing yards and 2,329 yards of total offense in 31 games played. On the year, Holmes has rushed for 12 touchdowns and 635 total yards. Against Widener, he threw his first career touchdown pass to Sean Caldwell Jr., a 71 yarder in the first quarter.
HE CAN DO IT ALL
In only his first season with the Lions, junior Joe Arneth has shown that he is one of the most versatile players. When not on defense Arneth can also be found on the return unit. On 10 kick returns, Arneth has totaled 220 yards, with his longest return marked at 50 yards. When on defense, Arneth leads the “dog soldiers” with three interceptions and ranks 11th in tackles with 22.
TAKING CHARGE OF THE OFFENSE
Even as a sophomore
Adam Galczynski is showing more composure every single week. Against Widener, the Kutztown native threw for 160 yards and was 12-of-16 passing, without an interception for the fourth consecutive Saturday. On the year, Galczynski has thrown for 922 yards and is 62-for-100 with only two turnovers. He has thrown for five touchdowns and his longest throw of the year has been marked at 51 yards, which he earned against King's College.
POUNDING THE ROCK
Going into Saturday's match-up, the Lions offense has totaled 2,747 yards of total offense. They have recorded 216 points and 139 first downs. On the ground they have rushed for 1,254 yards, while in the air they have thrown for 1,493 yards. When in the redzone, the Lions have scored on 26 of their 31 opportunities which is first the Middle Atlantic Conference.
HERE COMES THE DOG SOLDIERS
Senior
Rob Mancinelli has stepped to the forefront of Albright's defensive unit. Currently sitting with 42 stops this season, the New Jersey native has also recorded three tackles for a loss, which ranks second on the team, and has forced one fumble. Next in line is
Mark Bergery with 35 tackles and two interceptions. He has also broken-up a team high eight pass attempts.
Malik Compton,
Keith Bruno, and
Josh Hare have recorded 30 or more tackles this season, while seven other players have totaled 20 or more stops going into Saturday. Junior
Francis Hall leads Albright with 4.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO NEW JERSEY
In the first meeting between Albright and FDU, the Lions defeated their New Jersey opponents by the score of 10-3 in 1979. After that the Lions would take on and defeat FDU four more times, before going on an 11 year hiatus. The next time they did meet was in 1993, with FDU picking up the win, 33-7. From there the two teams met seven more times with Albright winning four of those games. The rivalry was rekindled in 2003, when FDU-Madison, became FDU-Florham.
Since 2000...
2000 - AC 21-18
2003 - AC 17-10
2004 - AC 35-21
2005 - FD 14-17
2006 - FD 35-39
2007 - AC 17-14
2008 - AC 24-17
2009 - AC 49-28
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
The Devils have looked to quarterback Matt Jeffers to lead their offense this season. Having played in all seven games this season Jeffers has thrown for 1,352 yards and 12 touchdowns. His favorite target has been Doug Van Orden who has 246 receiving yards on 26 catches. Combined nine different players have recorded touchdown receptions this season. On the ground Brendan Griffin leads the run game with 220 yards on 70 carries. Defensively Steve Hoverson has totaled 65 tackles and 10.5 tackles for a loss ranks him fourth in the MAC. Matt Porricelli leads the team in INT's with three, and passes defended with 10.
FDU-FLORHAM IN THE MAC
The Devils were picked to finish seventh on this year's Middle Atlantic Conference preseason poll. In 2009, FDU finished the year with record of 2-8 and closed out conference play with a 1-6 record. The 2010 season got off to a great start for the Devils as they won their first three games, which included a 24-23 overtime win over TCNJ. In conference play, FDU dropped a close one to Wilkes and nearly defeated Lebanon Valley, but were unable to hang on in the end.
NEXT UP FOR THE LIONS
Albright returns to Shirk Stadium next Saturday to take on Delaware Valley College at 1 p.m. on Senior day.
