Albright College (2-2/0-1 MAC) vs. Lycoming College (3-1/1-0 MAC)
Albright will face it's toughest conference opponent yet in the Warriors of Lycoming College. After last week's upset at Wilkes, the Lions will look to regroup this Saturday, in hopes of keeping their championship dreams alive. The Lions will once again look to stop Warriors' run game which is currently ranked amongst the best in all of Division III football today.
When: Saturday, October 9
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 Under 6 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
NO SUCH THING AS TWO IN A ROW
The last time the Lions suffered back-to-back losses was at the end of the 2007 season. In that year, the Lions actually dropped their final three games falling to Widener, Delaware Valley, and Montclair State. Since that season, the Lions have only been defeated a total of seven times, while winning a combined 21 games.
CONTINUING THE TREND
With the 41-31 win over Catholic the Lions closed out their non-conference schedule with a winning record for the fourth consecutive season. In non-conference play the Lions currently hold a record of 9-3 overall.
WHATEVER IT TAKES IN 2010
Even with last Saturday's loss, the Lions still rank amongst the top teams in the Middle Atlantic Conference. Currently averaging 35.8 points per game, the Lions have totaled 143 points this season, and have recorded a conference best 20 touchdowns, 15 extra points, and have one two-point conversion. Their 1,661 yards of total offense is also a conference best. Currently averaging over 415 yards per game, the Lions have totaled 767 yards on the ground, and 894 yards in the air on 262 plays.
ALBRIGHT IN DIVISION III
Of the 236 teams in Division III, the Lions are ranked amongst the top-50 teams in multiple categories including scoring (38), total offense (45), rushing (49), passing efficiency (47), and punting (50). Last fall, the red and white closed out their 2009 season ranked in the top-15 in team passing efficiency with a 154.90 rating.
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.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB
It was recently announced that Stevenson University will be joining the Middle Atlantic Conference in football. With the addition of the Mustang's to the conference, the Lions will now have eight conference games and only two non-conference games in 2011. With next season marking year two of the PAC-MAC Challenge, Albright will face only one new non-conference opponent. Steven University is located in Stevenson, Maryland and was formerly known as Villa Julie College.
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.
RUSHING FOR THE RECORD
Junior tailback
Josan Holmes needs just one more rushing touchdown to break the all-time career record at Albright College. The record, which has stood since 2004, was set by Adam Hubley when he rushed for 30 TD's during his four-year career. Last Saturday also marked a career moment for Holmes as he broke the 2,000 yard rushing mark with his 99 yard performance at Wilkes. Holmes has quickly moved his way up the record books. To date he is tied for most rushing TD's in a game with four, and has rushed for over 200 yards twice. His 225 yards at Geneva ranks fourth all-time for most rushing yards in a single game, and his eight TD's this season lead the Middle Atlantic Conference.
HE CAN DO IT ALL
Since coming to Albright, junior Joe Arneth has stepped to the forefront as one of the most athletic players on this years roster. With two interceptions to his name, Arneth now ranks third in the MAC and is tied for 39th in the nation in that category. His 179 yards on kick returns also ranks third in the conference, and his season long return of 50 yards, is the secondest longest amongst all players in the MAC.
POUNDING THE ROCK
As the top offensive line in the Middle Atlantic Conference, the Lions have recorded 1,661 yards of total offense. Led by a veteran core of players, Albright is currently averaging over 415 yards of offense per game and has found the endzone a total of 19 times. In the redzone the Lions are 17-for-18 (94%) when putting points on the scoreboard. Their time of possession of 33:44 per game is also a conference best.
CONTINUING TO GROW
Quarterbacks
Adam Galczynski and Ben Schaffle have shown continued growth and development this fall. On the year, the two have thrown for 719 yards on 49-of-81 passing respectively. Galczynski's pass efficiency of 121.0 ranks him fifth in the conference, while his 61.5 completion percentage is ranked second in the MAC amongst all active quarterbacks.
HERE COMES THE DOG SOLDIERS
On the year, senior
Rob Mancinelli leads the Lions defense with 22 tackles. Behind him is
Francis Hall and
Mark Bergery who each have 19 stops. Bergery is also responsible for one of the Lions three interceptions, with the other two belonging to Arneth.
Keith Bruno has forced the only Albright fumble, and
Nick Goodling and
Josh Hare have each recovered one fumble this year.
Don Gould leads the team in sacks with one, while four other players have recorded half sacks.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
When Albright and Lycoming met for the first time in 1957, former president Dwight D. Eisenhower was in his second term. In their inagural meeting, Lycoming and Albright played to a 0-0 draw, which at that time was only the 11th tie in Albright football history. One of their biggest meetings came in 1996 when the two met in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tournament. The Warriors defeated Albright 31-13 in that game.
Lycoming leads series 31-17-2
Since 2000...
2000 - LC 39-3
2001 - LC 21-10
2002 - LC 35-12
2003 - LC 38-21
2004 - AC 49-32
2005 - LC 14-13
2006 - AC 42-35
2007 - AC 40-17
2008 - LC 23-13
2009 - AC 26-7
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Lycoming is currently on a three-game win streak, which includes a 38-36 win over previously nationally ranked Ithaca College. Pushing the Warriors to their 3-1 record has been senior running back Josh Kleinfelter. The Bellwood, Pa. native ranks second in the nation in rushing with 709 total yards (177.25 ypg). As a team, the Warriors run game is currently 23rd in Division III, averaging 228 yards per game. Quarterback Zach Klinger has thrown 669 yards and six touchdowns in his sophomore season. Defensively, the Warriors are fueld by Chuck Bellitto's 29 tackles, and Anthony Marascio's four tackles for a loss and three sacks.
LYCOMING IN THE MAC
Ranked fourth in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, Lycoming finished out their 2009 season with a record of 4-6. Their 3-4 record in the MAC ranked them tied for fifth alongside Wilkes University. In 2008, the Warriors under then first-year head coach Mike Clark won a shared of the MAC title along with Albright and Delaware Valley. With the championship, the Warriors received the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament where they faced Hobart College, and were defeated by the score of 33-15.
NEXT UP FOR THE LIONS
Albright will remain at home next Saturday to host King's College at 1 p.m. Next Saturday's game is also take a Kid to the Game, with children under 14 getting in free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
