Albright College Lions (3-0, 2-0) vs. Lycoming College Warriors (2-1, 2-0)

Just like last season, the Albright College football team is undefeated early in the season and getting votes in the national polls heading into a tough matchup with Lycoming. Last year, the Warriors' top-ranked defense shut down a 4-0 Lion squad en route to a 35-13 victory. Albright will be looking for a different outcome Saturday, in the 62nd annual Shriners Pretzel Bowl.
 
When: Saturday, September 22
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 (Lycoming): http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?callsign=LYCOMING
 
Albright Stats
Albright Roster
Albright Depth Chart
Lycoming Stats
Lycoming Roster
Lycoming Depth Chart
Lycoming Game Notes

62ND ANNUAL PRETZEL BOWL:

This will be the 62nd annual Rajah Shriners' Pretzel Bowl, a fundraiser for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. In last year's Pretzel Bowl, the Lions lost a tough 20-10 decision to #10 Delaware Valley, with linebacker Ryan Ott earning Game MVP honors. Tickets are $5 for today's game, with Albright students still admitted for free.

WEBCASTS:

Albright will be video streaming live this weekend, with Bob McCool providing play-by-play. Starting this weekend there will be a single-game charge of $5.95 for the game, but Albright fans can also purchase a three-month pass for $19.95 that will cover the remaining four home football games as well as other fall action. The next webcast will feature Albright-Alvernia field hockey on Saturday, September 29. A year-long pass is also available for $79.95, as webcasts will include most home basketball games, and lacrosse action in the spring.

MAC PICTURE:

Saturday will be a battle for first place, as Albright and Lycoming are two of the three 2-0 teams sitting atop the MAC. The other is #21 Widener (3-0 overall), who will host Wilkes. FDU-Florham (1-1, 1-0) is also undefeated in conference play, but faces a stern test with a trip to defending champion Delaware Valley (1-2, 1-1).

WEEKLY AWARDS:

The Lions have been raking in weekly awards this season, including mentions from numerous regional and national media outlets. Running back Ty Hughes (week one), quarterback TJ Luddy (week two) and wide receiver Scott Pillar (week three) have swept the MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors so far.

After picking off two passes last week vs. Wilkes and adding 10 tackles (two for loss), safety Drew Peterson was named a BSN National Defensive Player of the Week, and the ECAC and MAC Defensive Player of the Week. He was also named to the D3football.com National Team of the Week.

Freshman kicker Daniel Sobolewski earned MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, Metropolitan New York Writers' Association Rookie of the Week recognition, and was the ncaa.com National Special Teams Player of the Week after a win over Stevenson.

ALBRIGHT OFFENSE:

The Lion offense has been consistent so far this season, scoring 29, 29 and 27 points. Luddy has completed 64.4% of his passes (47-of-73) for 538 yards, four TDs and two INTs. Returning All-American Pillar has caught 27 balls for 273 yards and three touchdowns.

Hughes has 285 yards in three games, and has scored a team-leading four touchdowns. Seniors Zach Groff and Marty Reinhardt each tallied their first rushing scores of the year in Albright's home opener vs. Stevenson.
 
ALBRIGHT DEFENSE:

Junior linebacker Paul Hobbs has 27 tackles to lead an Albright defense that is allowing 20.3 points per game. The secondary has been very strong, allowing opponents just 164.0 passing yards per contest. Mark Capetola leads the pass rush with 3.5 sacks and six tackles for loss. Nick Gjoni has three sacks on the year.
 
ALBRIGHT SPECIAL TEAMS:

Luddy is now seventh in the nation in punting, with an average of 42.8 yards per kick, and has been instrumental in alleviating the loss of All-Region punter Brooks Mitzkewich. The special teams unit took a bit hit with the loss of senior JT Harding however, who had established himself as perhaps the nation's best long snapper. Albright hadn't had a kick blocked since Harding's sophomore year, but did miss two kicks last week with the captain sidelined.

LYCOMING OFFENSE:

The Warriors have a new quarterback in sophomore Tyler Jenny, but the youngster has performed admirably this season, especially over the past two games. Jenny has a QB rating of 115.9 for the season, and completed 15-of-23 passes last week in a win over Lebanon Valley. He also led his team to a 24-14 victory over nationally-ranked Delaware Valley in his second career start.

Sophomore Craig Needhammer splits running back duties, but still eclipsed 100 yards last week vs. LVC (101 yards, 15 carries, 61-yard TD run).
 
LYCOMING DEFENSE:

Lycoming has become known for its defense under the tutelage of 39th year defensive coordinator Steve Wiser. The Warriors were third in the nation last season in team defense (214.4 yards allowed per game), and have led the nation twice in that category during Wiser's tenure.

Senior Nate Oropollo leads the MAC with four sacks and now has nine for his career. Linebacker Kabongo Bukasa is back after providing the back-breaking play vs. Albright last year- a 65-yard pick-six in the final seconds of the half that turned a potential 7-3 halftime deficit into a 14-0 hole.
 
LYCOMING SPECIAL TEAMS:

Senior Parker Showers returned two kickoffs for 50 total yards last week, making him the new career kick return yardage record holder at Lycoming. He was named the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week in recognition of the accomplishment.

Junior Zach Czap handles both kicking and punting duties for the Warriors, and earned All-Conference honors at each position last year. He was also a BSN All-American in 2011, and a Preseason All-American this fall.

LIONS NEXT WEEK:

Albright continues a brutal two-week stretch with a trip to Delaware Valley next Saturday. Albright will leave everything on the field over these two weeks, with the bye week waiting after the DVC game.