Albright College Lions (2-0, 1-0) vs. Wilkes University Colonels (1-0, 0-0)

The Albright College football team is 2-0 after two come-from-behind wins, and will now travel to face a maturing Wilkes University team. The Lions set school passing records last season against Wilkes, but expect a much tougher test this year from the 1-0 Colonels.
 
When: Saturday, September 15
Where: Schmidt Stadium
Start Time: 2:00 p.m.
 
Gameday Media:
Live Video: http://mac.ezstream.com/
Live Audio (Albright): http://www.teamline.cc/sportpage?teamcode=5466&eventcode=20
Live Audio (Wilkes): http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?callsign=WILKES
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/wilkes/football/scoreboard.aspx
 
Albright Stats
Albright Roster
Albright Depth Chart
Wilkes Stats
Wilkes Roster
Wilkes Depth Chart

MEDIA COVERAGE:

Albright debuted its video webcasting last week, and will look to continue to improve its coverage heading into the next home game (the 2012 Pretzel Bowl). For this week's away contest, Bob McCool will still provide the free radio call online. Wilkes will also have free video via EZ-Stream, and provide a radio call via ESPN Radio Williamsport.

MAC PICTURE:

The Middle Atlantic Conference has been a muddled picture so far, with favorite Delaware Valley College now 0-2, losing to a Lycoming team that only scored two points in their opener before looking strong against the Aggies. Lebanon Valley has had a positive start, going 2-0 and upsetting Montclair State University. The Lions of course sit at 2-0, with a victory over a nationally-ranked opponent on their resume, and a dangerous Widener is #22 in the nation after racking up 104 combined points in two victories.

PREVIOUS MEETING:

Last year at Shirk Stadium, the Albright passing attack exploded in a 65-26 victory. The Lions' 545 passing yards and 675 total yards were records, while the team's 30 first downs was tied for third most in school history and its 65-point output was fifth-most all-time. Albright's passing total was also second-most in Middle Atlantic Conference history, trailing only Juniata's 587 yards against Widener back in 1999. Their 675 yards was seventh-most ever in the MAC.

Albright's Adam Galczynski, TJ Luddy and Griffin Eldridge combined for 545 yards on 29-of-35 passing. Galcynzki was 20-of-26 for 377 yards and three scores, and his completion percentage of 76.9% was fifth in the school record books. Senior Scott Pillar caught nine balls for 220 yards (the sixth-highest total in school history), and was named a BSN National Player of the Week.
 
ALBRIGHT OFFENSE:

Galczynski and Luddy are back in 2012, and Luddy was named the most recent MAC Offensive Player of the Week after completing 16-of-21 passes for 185 yards and two scores vs. Stevenson, including the winning TD pass in overtime. Eldridge made the switch to wide receiver and caught a big touchdown pass, 10 seconds before halftime. Pillar caught his first TD of the season in overtime as Albright escaped with a 29-22 victory.

ALBRIGHT DEFENSE:

Albright's front seven has been getting into the backfield on a regular basis, as six Lion defenders already have two or more tackles for loss. Leading the way is Mark Capetola (4.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks vs. Stevenson) and senior captain Matt Pattison (3.5 tackles for loss already this season). Nick Gjoni has 2.5 sacks, while teammates Ryan Ott, JT Harding and Donny Guido each have two hits in the backfield.

Junior linebacker Paul Hobbs had 16 total tackles vs. Stevenson, and leads the team with 19 takedowns so far this season.
 
ALBRIGHT SPECIAL TEAMS:

Always a strength for Albright, special teams came through in a big way last weekend as freshman kicker Daniel Sobolewski, in his first collegiate attempt, drilled a 47-yard field goal as time expired to force overtime and save the Lions' chances. The kick tied an all-time school record and earned Sobolewski ncaa.com National Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

HEAD COACH MILESTONE:

Wilkes head coach Frank Sheptock, the school's all-time winningest coach, is now one victory away from the 100-win mark for his career. Sheptock is 99-70, in his 17th season in charge of the Colonels.

WILKES OFFENSE:

The offense failed to score a touchdown in a 9-7 opening week victory over Morrisville State, but did drive the ball down for the winning field goal with the game on the line. Quarterback Tyler Bernsten is the starter but it was platoon partner Alex George who took over on his own 25 yard line with 5:21 to play and marched the Colonels 74 yards in 22 plays, setting up a chip shot field goal for the win.

Sophomore running back Andrew Regan, George and Bernsten each had double-digit carries as the Colonels rushed 56 times, for 149 yards.
 
WILKES DEFENSE:

The focus will be on Wilkes' secondary after a group of mostly freshmen conceeded 545 yards in the air last year in Reading. The Colonel pass defense was much improved in their 2012 opener, allowing just 86 yards and no touchdowns in the air. Junior Paul Gaffney also came up with an interception in the victory.
 
WILKES SPECIAL TEAMS:

Junior kicker Jordan Fredo was the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week after scoring all nine points in Wilkes' 9-7 victory over Morrisville State.  He capped it off with an 18-yard game-winner, with 1:25 remaining in the contest.

LIONS NEXT WEEK:

Albright can't afford to look past Wilkes this week, but the Lions will follow this game with a crucial two-week stretch heading into the bye- vs. Lycoming and at Delaware Valley. If Albright can get to the halfway point at 4-1 or 5-0, they should be in the championship mix heading down the stretch.