Albright College (5-3/3-2 MAC) vs. #8/11 Delaware Valley College (7-1/5-0 MAC)
In a rematch of last year's NCAA second round game, the Lions will host nationally ranked Delaware Valley College this Saturday on Senior Day. The Lions will look to end the Aggies hot streak, which stands at five consecutive wins. Albright will enter this Saturday's match-up riding a three-game win streak of their own, and will look to take down one of the top teams in Division III football today.
When: Saturday, November 6
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 6 and under and Albright Students with College ID
GAMEDAY MEDIA
Webcast (Audio):
http://www.teamline.cc
Live Stats:
http://www2.sidearmstats.com/albright/football/index.htm
Radio: 91.3 FM WXAC
HONORING THE SENIORS
Before the start of Saturday's contest, the 15 senior members will be honored by teammates, coaches, family and friends. This year's senior class is made up of
Joe Baciotti,
Andrew Castano,
Ivan Cerkez,
Tyrell Drumgo,
Nick Goodling,
Josh Hare,
Andrew Hettinger,
Rob Mancinelli,
Ryan McAdams,
Pat McCarthy,
Eddie Mitchem,
Matt Odenwalt,
Chris Schannauer,
Luke Wallace, and
John Whelan.
LOOKING TO DO IT AGAIN
The Lions will look to do something they have not done since 2002 this Saturday and that is hand the Aggies back-to-back losses. Albright will also be in the hunt for their first regular season conference win over Delaware Valley College since '02 as well. Last fall, the Lions recorded the upset of the NCAA tournament when they handed DVC a 27-3 loss on their home field in the second round.
WHATEVER IT TAKES IN 2010
After last Saturday's win at FDU-Florham, the Lions remain second in the Middle Atlantic Conference in total offense and scoring. To date, Albright is averaging 400.8 yards of offense and 31.2 points per game. The Lions run game is currently ranked fourth averaging 179.6 yards per game, while in the air Albright's passing game is second with 221.1 yards per game and a 138.8 passing efficiency. On third down conversions, Albright ranks second having converted on 40 of their 92 chances. Going into Saturday the Lions offense leads the MAC when in the redzone having scored on 31 of their 36 opportunities. The Lions defense ranks fifth in the MAC having allowed 3,309 yards and 223 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 179.63 yards per game. Going into Saturday's match-up with DVC, the Lions are ranked 57th in scoring and pass efficiency and 49th 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.
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.
ADD IT TO THE LIST FOR HOLMES
In the win over FDU-Florham, junior tailback
Josan Holmes recorded three rushing touchdowns for the second consecutive week. Last Saturday's performance marked the fourth time this year that Holmes has rushed for three or more touchdowns in a game. Going into Saturday's match-up, his 92 yards per game ranks him fourth in the MAC and 62nd in DIII. His conference leading 11.2 points per game currently places him tied for 11th in the nation, and his 1,149 all-purpose yards ranks him second in the conference and 44th in DIII.
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 on this year's roster. When not on defense Arneth can also be found on the kick return unit. On 10 returns, Arneth has totaled 220 yards, with his longest return marked at 50 yards. When on defense, Arneth ranks in the top-10 on the team in tackles with 29 and currently leads the team in interceptions with three and blocked kicks with two.
TAKING CHARGE OF THE OFFENSE
Showing continued growth at the quarterback spot, sophomore
Adam Galczynski currently ranks sixth in the conference with 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. His passer rating of 148.6 leads all active quarterbacks. In last week's win over FDU-Florham the Kutztown native threw for 218 yards on 18 of 24 passing. So far this season, Galczynski has recorded two 200+ yard games in the air. His career best was when he threw for 224 yards against King's.
POUNDING THE ROCK
Going into Saturday's match-up, the Lions offense has totaled 3,206 yards of total offense. They have outscored their opponents 257-223, and rank second in the MAC in first downs with 164. On the ground they have rushed for 1,437 yards, while in the air they have thrown for 1,769 yards. When in the redzone, the Lions have scored on 31 of their 36 opportunities which leads the MAC.
HERE COMES THE DOG SOLDIERS
Senior
Rob Mancinelli has stepped to the forefront of Albright's defensive unit. Currently sitting with 47 stops this season, the New Jersey native has also recorded three tackles for a loss, which ranks third on the team, and has forced one fumble. Next in line are
Keith Bruno and
Malik Compton who each have 38 tackles this season. Bruno has also recorded one interception and a forced fumble as well.
Josh Hare is currently fourth on the team in tackles with 37 and has the Lions only fumble return for a touchdown this year.
Mark Bergery closes out the top-5 tacklers, and is also ranked second in interceptions with two.
ALL-TIME VS. THE AGGIES
The history between Albright and Delaware Valley is a long heated rivalry. After their first meeting in 1963, in which Albright shutout DVC 63-0, the two teams have gone back-and-forth over the years. It has not been until recently, that the Aggies have had the Lions number. However all that changed last fall, when Albright upset DVC in the second round of the NCAA tournament. To date the Aggies, hold a 26-18 advantage over the Lions going into this Saturday's match-up.
Since 2000...
2000 - DV 55-42
2001 - AC 34-6
2002 - AC 52-14
2003 - DV 45-30
2004 - DV 35-28
2005 - DV 35-34
2006 - DV 21-13
2007 - DV 21-14
2008 - DV 34-9
2009 - DV 45-16/AC 27-3
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
This season, the Aggies offense has used a variety of different players to take over as the top team in the MAC. At quarterback senior Mark Hatty has thrown for 1,711 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is currently 144-for-235 and has thrown a total of six interceptions. On the ground Matt Cook leads the run game with 943 total yards and 14 scores. Receivers Dan Heiland and Joe Gionfriddo have combined for seven touchdowns and 931 total yards respectively. The defense is fueled by Chris James' 47 tackles. Mike Jaskowski leads the team in sacks with 6.5, while Garrett Wooters has recorded a team best 12.5 tackles for a loss.
DELAWARE VALLEY IN THE MAC
After claiming their second consecutive MAC title in 2009, the Aggies were picked to finish first on this year's Middle Atlantic Conference coaches poll. Since 2008, the Aggies have won 25 of their last 31 games played and have earned an ECAC Bowl title and a trip to the NCAA tournament. So far this season, they have shutout two opponents, and have held three teams to just single digits. Going into Saturday's match-up only one team has scored more than 20 points against DVC this season.
NEXT UP FOR THE LIONS
Albright travels to Annville for their final regular season match-up with Lebanon Valley College. Start time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
