Albright College Lions (3-1, 2-1) vs. Delaware Valley College Aggies (2-2, 2-1)

The Albright College football team faces a tough road test this weekend, as the Lions head to Doylestown, Pa. to visit four-time defending MAC champion Delaware Valley College. The Aggies had a rough start to the season but are charging up the standings following an emphatic 63-3 victory last Saturday.
 
When: Saturday, September 29
Where: James Work Memorial Stadium
Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
 
Gameday Media:
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/delval/football/scoreboard.aspx
Live Audio (Albright): http://www.teamline.cc/sportpage?teamcode=5466&eventcode=20
Live Audio (DVC): http://www.ustream.tv/channel/delaware-valley-football-2011
 
Albright Stats
Albright Roster
Albright Depth Chart
Delaware Valley Stats
Delaware Valley Roster
Delaware Valley Chart
Delaware Valley Game Notes

LIONS LAST WEEK:

Albright was inches away from going up 17-0 over league leaders Lycoming, scoring two touchdowns in the first 16 minutes and having a 47-yard field goal attempt miss just wide right. Things fell apart from there however as the Warriors stormed back to tally 29 unsanswered points, forcing four turnovers en route to a 29-14 final scoreline.

The Lions' first loss of 2012 came in the 62nd annual Pretzel Bowl, as money was raised for the Rajah Shriner's Hospitals for Children. Game MVP honors went to Albright defensive tackle Nick Gjoni and Lycoming linebacker Kabongo Bukasa.

PICKING UP STEAM AFTER SLOW START:

Delaware Valley's rough start was one of the surprise storylines of Division III football as the Aggies, a seeded team in last year's NCAA tournament and #9 in the preseason polls, began the season 0-2. DVC lost 27-13 to Rowan in the MAC-NJAC Challenge, and then dropped a 24-14 decision to Lycoming the next weekend.

Delaware Valley got back on track with a win over Stevenson however, and then pounded FDU-Florham 63-3 last weekend. With just one MAC loss, the Aggies are still major championship contenders and remain perhaps the most talented team in the conference.

MAC PICTURE:

Lycoming (3-1, 3-0) shares first place with Widener (4-0, 3-0), who registered a shocking 90-0 victory over Wilkes last Saturday. Albright, Delaware Valley and Lebanon Valley are all 2-1 in MAC play, making this a crucial game for the championship picture.

ALBRIGHT OFFENSE:

After throwing just two interceptions in the first few weeks, Lion quarterbacks were intercepted three times vs. Lycoming. Albright's quarterbacks continue to throw the ball with efficiency however, as junior starter TJ Luddy was 12-for-18 last weekend despite the three picks. For the season, Luddy had completed 64.8% of his passes for a QB rating of 138.1. Senior Adam Galczynski has completed 21-of-34 (61.8%) of his throws, and has a rating of 139.2.

After earning BSN All-American honors in 2011, senior wide receiver Scott Pillar leads the MAC in receptions (32), and is second in yards (340).

ALBRIGHT DEFENSE:

Gjoni earned Pretzel Bowl MVP honors after totaling four tackles for loss and forcing a fumble. For the season, he has a team leading 4.0 sacks, following closely by Mark Capetola (3.5 sacks).

Linebacker Paul Hobbs leads the team with 32 total tackles, just ahead of safety and 2011 All-Region selection Matthew Hnatiuk (30). Levi Myers is third with 24 tackles, and had a game-high 11 stops in the Lycoming game (all solo).

ALBRIGHT SPECIAL TEAMS:

The Lions again got a big play from their special teams unit last weekend, as Daniel McNair recovered a punt blocked by Mark Krisak to set up Albright's second touchdown. Freshman kicker Daniel Sobolewski attempted to match his school record with a 47-yard field goal and had plenty of distance, but missed wide right by inches.

DELAWARE VALLEY OFFENSE:

The Aggies totaled 623 yards of total offense and got touchdowns from eight different players in their win over FDU-Florham last week. Sophomore quarterback Aaron Wilmer is back after starting as a freshman, and has thrown for 958 yards and six TDs, with three INTs on the season.

Junior running back Kyle Schuberth is already on the top-10 career lists at Del Val for both rushing touchdowns (21) and rushing yards (1722).

DELAWARE VALLEY DEFENSE:

After struggling early, the always-tough DVC defense has allowed just two touchdowns in its last 10 quarters of play, one of them a garbage-time touchdown by Stevenson in the final seconds of the game. The defense has forced two turnovers in each of the Aggies' four games in 2012.

Senior safety John Robinson has team-highs with 27 tackles and two interceptions. Classmate Dwayne Shaw has 1.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.

DELAWARE VALLEY SPECIAL TEAMS:

The Aggies have struggled at times kicking the ball, having two kicks blocked including their only field goal attempt of the season. Dave Faraldo (38.3 ypa) and Brandon Snyder (31.4 ypa) have split punting duties.

WEEKLY AWARDS:

The Lions have won a number of weekly awards this season, including mentions from numerous regional and national media outlets. Running back Ty Hughes (week one), Luddy (week two) and Pillar (week three) took the first three MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors of 2012.

After picking off two passes 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 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.

LIONS NEXT WEEK:

Albright will take a much-needed rest with their bye week, coming conveniently at the exact midpoint of the season, as opposed to last year (which came after the conclusion of the regular season). The Lions will be back in action with a two-game homestand, hosting FDU-Florham (10/13) and King's (10/20).