Albright College (5-4/3-3 MAC) vs. Lebanon Valley College (5-4/4-2 MAC)
Just like the 2009 meeting between Albright and Lebanon Valley, this year's match-up has postseason implications. The winner of Saturday's contest could receive and ECAC Bowl game bid with a 6-4 record, while the losers season will end at 5-5. Truly one of the oldest rivalries in NCAA Division III football, this Saturday's match-up will mark the 90th meeting between the Lions and the Dutchmen.
When: Saturday, November 13
Where: Arnold Field, Annville, Pa. (
Directions)
Start time: 1 p.m.
Gates Open: Noon
Tickets:
$2 - Students
$3 - Seniors
$4 - Adults
GAMEDAY MEDIA
Webcast (Audio):
http://www.teamline.cc
Live Stats:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/lvc/football/index.htm
THIS TIME LAST YEAR
One year ago, the Lions and Dutchmen faced off in one of the greatest games ever played in Shirk Stadium. After trailing Lebanon Valley at halftime, the Lions battled back to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. With neither team able to score in regulation the game went into overtime. Both teams would score in the first OT, but in the second OT senior
Dave Harig '10 broke-up what would have been the game-winner for the Dutchmen. That win earned the Lions an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament.
WHATEVER IT TAKES IN 2010
Going into their final regular season contest, the Lions offense is still ranked second in the Middle Atlantic Conference. Averaging over 377 yards per game, the red and white have thrown for a total of 1,891 yards, while on the ground they have rushed for 1,508 yards. Combined the Lions have totaled 571 plays so far this season, and are averaging around six yards per play. Their 36 touchdowns this season also rank them second in the MAC. In the redzone, the Lions continue to lead the MAC having converted on 32 of their 37 chances. Defensively the Lions are currently rank sixth overall this season. To date the Lions have given up 3,528 total yards. As a team they rank fifth when preventing redzone scores having allowed 36 scores on 44 chances. Albright's defense are also ranked fourth in total interceptions with 13 and are tied for fifth for most return yards with 109.
ALBRIGHT IN DIVISION III
Of the 236 teams in Division III, the Lions are currently ranked 69th in scoring averaging over 30 points per game. They are also ranked 74th in total offense, 76th in pass efficiency, 82nd in rushing, and 92nd in passing.
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.
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. 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.
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 IS NOT DONE YET
Currently ranked 62nd in all-purpose yards (1,213) and 72nd in rushing (792) in the country, junior tailback
Josan Holmes needs 208 yards to record his second 1,000 yard rushing season. In his freshman year, Holmes rushed a 1,087 yards to become the first 1,000 yard rusher since 1995. If he was to get those 208 yards, he would become the first player in program history to record two 1,000 yard seasons. In the conference Holmes ranks second in scoring (90) and touchdowns (15), third in all-purpose yards, and fourth in rushing.
TAKING CHARGE OF THE OFFENSE
Sophomore
Adam Galczynski has shown tremendous growth this season as the Lions starting quarterback. On the year the Kutztown native has thrown for 1,179 yards, five touchdowns, and has completed 61% of his passes (86-141). His passing efficiency of 137.3 ranks him second in the MAC amongst active quarterbacks.
FRESHMEN STEPPING UP
Last Saturday's game against Delaware Valley saw solid performances from freshman quarterback
TJ Luddy and freshman returner
Devron Clark. In only his fourth appearance this season, Luddy threw for a career-best 83 yards on 8 of 11 passing. He recorded his second collegiate touchdown pass in the third quarter and then converted his first two-point conversion when he connected with
Ivan Cerkez. For Clark, his first collegiate appearance was highlighted with a 78 yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth. On three returns Clark recorded 103 yards and for his efforts was named to the MAC Honor Roll.
POUNDING THE ROCK
Going into Saturday's match-up, the Lions offense has totaled 3,399 yards of total offense. They have outscored their opponents 274-265 and ranked third in the MAC in first downs with 181. On the ground they have rushed for 1,508 yards, while in the air they have thrown for 1,891 yards. When in the redzone, the Lions have scored on 32 of their 37 opportunities which leads the MAC.
HERE COMES THE DOG SOLDIERS
Senior linebacker
Rob Mancinelli continues to lead Albright's defense this fall. Now with 52 tackles to his name, the New Jersey native is ranked 25th in the Middle Atlantic Conference. Behind him is
Mark Bergery with 47 stops. Bergery is also amongst the team leaders in interceptions with two and passes defended with 11.
Keith Bruno ranks third with 43 tackles, followed by
Malik Compton with 42, and Joe Arneth with 41. Arneth currently leads the Lions in interceptions with three. Junior
Francis Hall has totaled a team-best 5.5 tackles for a loss and leads the Lions in sacks with 2.5.
THIS ONE GOES BACK AWHILE
The first time that Albright and Lebanon Valley crossed paths was in 1900. This Saturday's match-up will mark the 90th meeting between the Lions and the Dutchmen. Albright currently leads the series with a 56-30 record. The two teams currently have three ties between them. Over the last 10 years, the Lions have only lost once. The closest match-up was last season, when the two teams went into double overtime, before Albright was able to pullout the 44-43 win.
Since 2000...
2000 - AC 31-26
2001 - AC 16-0
2002 - AC 48-7
2003 - AC 37-21
2004 - 37-13
2005 - 40-39
2006 - LV 55-33
2007 - AC 27-20
2008 - AC 31-14
2009 - AC 44-43 (2OT)
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Ben Guiles and Caleb Fick have been the driving force behind the Dutchmen's defense this season. Guile leads the team and leads the MAC in rushing with 1,143 yards. His 15 touchdowns this season ranks him tied for second. Fick has tallied 1,225 yards when under center. On the year he is 92-for-191 and has thrown for nine touchdowns. Defensively, the Dutchmen have looked to Jason Gigous. So far this season, Gigous has recorded 82 tackles and has a team-high three interceptions. Alex Gilchrist leads the team in tackles for a loss with 18, while Zach Bleiler leads the team in sacks with 8.5
LEBANON VALLEY IN THE MAC
At the beginning of the 2010 season, the Dutchmen were picked to finish second in the MAC. D3Football also predicted Lebanon Valley ending the year with a second place finish in the conference and a 9-1 record overall. In 2009, Lebanon Valley finished the year with a 5-2 record in the conference and a 9-2 record overall. The nine wins marked a program first and their ECAC Bowl game title marked the first for the Dutchmen since 1935.
