GAME NOTES (PDF)
 
Albright (1-1, 0-0) vs. Alvernia (0-2, 0-0)
• When: Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021
• Where: Reading, Pa.
• Stadium: Alvernia Turf Field (2,500)
• Kickoff: 12 p.m.
• Live Video: VIDEO
• Live Stats: STATS
 
 
SERIES BREAKDOWN
• All-Time Series: First Ever Meeting
 
The Albright Lions football team will face crosstown rival Alvernia for the first time in program history on Saturday afternoon. The two teams played an exhibition contest in May that the Lions won 20-14 at Shirk Stadium. Alvernia had its inaugural season in 2018, but the two teams did not face right away due to MAC scheduling rules.
 
The Lions defeated Western Connecticut State on the road last Saturday, 33-28. Albright took a 13-7 lead into halftime following a two-yard plunge from senior Malik Bootman. Bootman then played a big role through the air as he gave the Lions the lead back at 19-14 early in the third quarter. A touchdown pass to junior Lucas Roselli gave the Lions a 26-14 lead, and Bootman responded to a Colonials touchdown early in the fourth quarter with his third score of the game. Up 33-28, senior safety Armon Jefferson intercepted the Colonials quarterback at the Lions three-yard line to preserve the win. 
 
The Golden Wolves suffered a 23-14 loss to Hartwick in non-conference action this past Saturday. Alvernia fell behind 14-0 at halftime and pulled within 14-6 late in the third quarter before Hartwick earned two points after returning a blocked extra point back. Hartwick added one more touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and the Golden Wolves scored the last touchdown of the game with just over a minute left in regulation.
 
 

DOING IT ALL
Senior wide receiver/running back Malik Bootman had one of his best all-around performances in the Lions 33-28 win over Western Connecticut State last Saturday. Bootman totaled 144 all-purpose yards against the Colonials and scored a career-high three touchdowns. 107 of those yards were on the receiving end as Bootman set another career-high with that mark. Bootman scored two of his touchdowns through the air and added one on the ground for the second-straight week. His efforts earned him MAC Offensive player of the week honors for the first time in his collegiate career. Bootman continues to be a stable hybrid presence on the Lions offense as he leads the team with 185 offensive yards in the first two games of the season. He also leads the team with 124 receiving yards as well.
 

JUST KICK IT
First-year kicker Jack Heuer had a strong day in the special teams department for the Lions against Western Connecticut State. Heuer went a perfect 3-of-3 on extra points, and made a pair of field goals in Albright's win. Heuer also helped the Lions convert a successful onside kick in the third quarter that was recovered by Bootman. His 25-yard field goal in the first quarter was the first of his collegiate career, and he followed it with a 36-yarder in the final minute of the quarter. His performance earned him MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He is the first Lions kicker to make multiple field goals in a game since Kevin Goetz made three against FDU-Florham in November 2017. Heuer has successfully converted his first five extra points this season after being named the starter.
 

FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME
Between both sides of the ball, 10 different Lions made their first career starts on Friday against Salisbury. On offense, senior Michael Starkey made his first start at tight end, and caught an acrobatic 15-yard pass in the second quarter. Senior Joshua Alexander made his first start on offense after spending his first three seasons on the team on the defensive line. Rounding out the starters on offense, sophomore offensive lineman Davon Linder made his first start at right tackle in his first official collegiate game.
 
On defense, all three starters on the Lions defensive line made their first collegiate starts. Seniors Devine Davis and Giovanni Figueroa along with sophomore Eric Martin anchored the defensive line for Albright. Sophomores Josh Scurry and Javontae Wayman made their first starts at linebacker, while classmates Taylor Heflin and Ryan MacFarlane earned starts in the secondary.
 
 
BATTLE OF READING
This will be the first official football meeting between the two Reading schools. Since Alvernia's arrival to the MAC Commonwealth in the 2009-10 school year, the Lions and Golden Wolves have faced off annually every year in 16 different sports. The two schools are separated by just five miles making it one of the closest rivalries in all of NCAA Division III by location.
 

SETTING A NEW MARK
Senior quarterback Todd Shelley set multiple career-highs on Saturday in the Lions win over Western Connecticut State. Shelley went 18-of-29 for 246 yards through the air and tossed three touchdowns to just one interception. He sent career-highs in completions, yards, and touchdowns in the win. Shelley is currently tied for the conference lead in touchdown passes with four, and ranks fourth in yards with 365. He also ranks third in the MAC with 34 completions.
 

FIRST MEETING SUCCESS
Albright head coach John Marzka has compiled a strong record when facing a MAC team for the first time. Since his first season as head coach in 2007, Marzka has posted a 7-2 record in his career in debut meetings with other programs. He went 5-2 in 2007 and added wins in 2012 against Stevenson and Misericordia when the duo was added to the conference.
 

ABOUT ALVERNIA
Senior running back Malcolm Carey has been pacing the Golden Wolves offense since their inaugural season of 2018. Carey has amassed 2,225 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns in his time at Alvernia, emerging as one of the most prolific running backs in the MAC. This season, Carey currently ranks behind Lions sophomore running back Isaiah Shockley in rushing yards with 195. He registered his 10th 100-yard rushing game of his career against Ursinus in the season opener with 113. Carey has earned All-MAC first team honors in his first two regular seasons on the team. Senior Nick Rosahac has taken over starting quarterback duties this season after converting from tight end. Rosahac has thrown for 207 yards and one touchdown to three interceptions. Rosahac transferred from Albright after his first-year season of 2018. On defense, senior linebacker Tajon Whiten leads the team and the MAC with 20 tackles (10 solo) and 3.5 tackles for loss.