Albright College Lions (4-2, 3-2) vs. King's College Monarchs (1-5, 1-4)

Albright broke a two-game losing streak with a 45-0 win over FDU-Florham last Saturday, the Lions' first shutout since a 2008 blanking of King's. Now Albright hosts the Monarchs on Homecoming weekend with a chance to improve to 5-2 heading into a showdown with nationally-ranked Widener.
 
When: Saturday, October 20
Where: Shirk Stadium
Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
 
Gameday Media:
Live Video: http://mac.ezstream.com/
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/albright/football
Live Audio (King's): http://wrkc.kings.edu/list/current.html
 
Albright Stats
Albright Roster
Albright Depth Chart
King's Stats
King's Roster
King's Depth Chart

HOMECOMING WEEKEND:

Albright is celebrating Homecoming weekend, and a full slate of home athletic events includes field hockey Senior Day (Friday afternoon), cross country alumni meet (Saturday morning), and a soccer doubleheader vs. Stevenson (Saturday night).

At Friday night's annual Hall of Fame dinner, the 2012 Albright HOF class of Raymond J. Mest '62, Gary A. Sheeler '62, Robert B. “Gug” Williams '64, and Jennifer J. Payne '99 will be inducted. Also being recognized will be former NCAA national high jump champion Grant Krow, who was part of the inaugural Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame class along with Albright alum and former NFL All-Star Dick Riffle (Pittsburgh Steelers).

ALL-TIME SERIES:

The Lions hold a 9-5-1 all-time record against a King's team that won the MAC in 2002 but has struggled in recent years. Albright beat the Monarchs on their Homecoming last year, winning 57-17 in Wilkes-Barre.

HEAD COACHES:

John Marzka is 41-21 since taking over at Albright, and has a MAC co-championship (2008) and National Coach of the Year award (2009) on his resume. Third-year coach Jeff Knarr leads the Monarch, and is 3-23 in his first head collegiate job.

MAC PICTURE:

The biggest conference game of the season so far takes place this Saturday, as 5-0 Widener visits 5-0 Lycoming with first place on the line. Defending champion Delaware Valley (4-1) will be rooting for a Widener victory, which could then create a potential three-way tie if the Aggies beat Widener on November 10.

Tied for fourth place, Albright and Lebanon Valley (each 3-2) sit waiting to pounce if the MAC leaders should falter.

ALBRIGHT OFFENSE: 

Senior Scott Pillar, leading the MAC in receptions for the second straight year, lined up in the backfield and carried the ball five times for 114 yards, including a 94-yard TD run (the longest Albright rush since 1951). Pillar now has 30 career touchdowns at Albright.

ALBRIGHT DEFENSE: 

Safety Joe Magosin led the Lions with four solo tackles and a forced fumble as Albright held FDU to just eight first downs. Senior linebacker Tim McCaffrey has totaled four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery over the last two games.

ALBRIGHT SPECIAL TEAMS: 

Junior Mark Krisak was named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt in the final 50 seconds of the first half last week, setting up a bonus Albright touchdown just before halftime. He is the second Lion to win the award this season, along with freshman kicker Daniel Sobolewski (the ncaa.com National Special Teams Player of the Week after the Stevenson game).

KING'S OFFENSE: 

Sophomore running back Kyle McGrath has been a bright spot on offense, breaking the 100-yard mark four times in six games, and earning one MAC weekly Honor Roll nod following King's victory over Misericordia. The Monarchs can also attack on the ground with junior Judens Goimbert (175 yards and 2 TDs on 34 carries).

KING'S DEFENSE: 

Despite a 1-5 record, the King's defense has also played well at times, ranking fifth in the MAC in team defense (336.8 yards per game) and sixth in points allowed (28.0 ppg). Safety Kris Matthews leads the defense with tackles, while linebacker Jake Ksiazkiewicz has three sacks and two forced fumbles on the year.

KING'S SPECIAL TEAMS: 

Sophomore wide receiver Dan Kempa plays a variety of roles for King's, returning kicks and punts, and also serving as the team's backup punter.

LIONS NEXT WEEK:

Albright travels to face #14 Widener next Saturday, looking to avenge last season's Homecoming debacle- a 60-20 loss in blizzard conditions. With a victory over the 14th-ranked team at the time- Kean University- also on the resume this year, the Lions are looking for another big road performance which could improve their NCAA or ECAC prospects when all is said and done.

“PINK GAME” FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS:

The Lions held their Second Annual “Pink Game” for Coaches vs. Cancer last weekend. Albright football players and cheerleaders wore pink items during the game, and raised over $2,500 for breast cancer research.