Lebanon Valley (3-1) at Wilkes (3-1)
Saturday, Oct. 10 - 1 p.m. - Ralston Field - The 38th Meeting
Live Stats: GoWilkesU.com
Radio: WWSM 1510-AM
Webcast: WMSSFM.com
Media Notes In PDF Format (includes two-deep)
After both teams saw their perfect starts dashed last week, Lebanon Valley travels to Wilkes to try and get back on track. Both the Dutchmen and the Colonels are trying to avoid an 0-2 start in MAC play after losing to Delaware Valley and Albright, respectively, last week.
On the Radio
All of this season’s games will be heard live in the capital region on WMSS 91.1 FM, with the exception of this weekend's game, which will be on WWSM 1510 AM in Lebanon County.
John Wilsbach and
Brian Keyser will call the action for the fourth consecutive season. Every game will be streamed live and free at
WMSSFM.com and
www.GoDutchmen.com.
If You Only Know 5 Things...
1. Senior RB
Charlie Parker became LVC’s second 3,000-yard rusher last week, and with 3,050 career yards, needs 57 more to top
Rick Coleman ’78 for the program record.
2. LVC managed just 38 yards passing in its 28-7 loss to Delaware Valley last week, completing five passes with two interceptions from
Caleb Fick.
3. Wilkes allowed 611 yards of total offense, including 449 passing yards, in their 43-21 loss to Albright last week. Four of Albright’s touchdowns were on plays of 15 yards or more.
4. LVC has two of the MAC’s top five rushers in
Charlie Parker (103 yds/gm) and
Ben Guiles (84.5 yds/gm). They have a combined five touchdowns.
5. LVC has averaged 28.5 yards per kickoff return this year, with an average starting field position of their own 43 yardline.
Series History
Today’s game is the 38th meeting all-time between LVC and Wilkes ... Wilkes leads the series, 22-15 ... The first meeting was on Oct. 3, 1953, a 15-6 LVC win ... This will be the 13th consecutive year they have met dating back to 1997 ... LVC’s 28-21 win last year snapped a 15-game Wilkes win streak ... During that streak, Wilkes shut LVC out six times and held them to seven or fewer points three other times ... LVC is 9-10 on the road against the Colonels ... A single score has seperated each of the last three games, including a 29-22 OT win for Wilkes in 2007 and a 13-10 Wilkes win in 2006 ...
Jim Monos is 6-8 against the Colonels.
Delaware Valley Recap
Delaware Valley halted Lebanon Valley’s undefeated start, holding LVC 28-7 in the MAC opener at Arnold Field. LVC (3-1, 0-1 MAC) was held to just 249 yards of offense and 38 passing yards as the Aggies (3-1, 1-0 MAC) rolled out 428 yards of offense. Charlie Parker became the second player in LVC history to reach 3,000 career rushing yards with 116 yards on 24 carries. Ben Guiles added 74 yards on 10 totes. The Dutchmen simply couldn’t get its offense going despite plenty of chances, committing three turnovers and giving it over on downs twice more. Caleb Fick was just 4-for-16 for 40 yards with two interceptions. DVC counterpart Mike Isgro went 13-for-20 for 172 yards, rushed for 42 more, and also caught a touchdown pass on a fleaflicker.
Twin-Headed Attack
LVC has relied heavily on the twin rushing attack of
Charlie Parker and
Ben Guiles, who are first and fifth in the MAC in rushing, respectively. Parker leads the league with 103.0 yards per game, and Guiles has 84.5 yards per game with an impressive 8.2 yards per carry average. Overall, LVC averages 199 yards per game on the ground.
Parker Tops 3,000 Yards, Nears Record
Senior RB
Charlie Parker started the season chasing after three LVC career rushing records, and now owns one of them. His two touchdowns against Gettysburg put him in the lead for career rushing TDs with 25, breaking
Ken Wilson ’90’s 20 year-old record. Last week, Parker became just the second LVC player to reach 3,000 career rushing yards, and now, with 3,050 yards and 657 carries, he will go after a pair of records held by
Rick Coleman ’78 - career yardage (3,106; Parker needs 57 more) and touches (673, Parker needs 17 more).
Everybody Scores!
LVC has had nine different players involved in scoring points this season, including five different players with rushing touchdowns.
Joe Brennan (4 TDs receiving) is the only receiver to score, with all four passes from
Caleb Fick;
Ben Guiles (3 TDs),
Charlie Parker (2 TDs),
Bryan Lynch (2 TDs),
Blair Ransom (2 TDs), and
Colt Zarilla (2 TDs) have all scored on the ground.
Dan DiBona (1 FG) and
Brittany Ryan (12 PATs) have also scored points this season.
Two Under Center
In preseason, coach
Jim Monos indicated that he would have several packages ready for back-up quarterback
Colt Zarilla, a more mobile option than pocket passer
Caleb Fick. Zarilla has certainly shown why he can make life difficult for opposing defenses; this season, he has completed 9-of-15 passes for 144 yards, while also running 10 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns.
Special Teams Shine
LVC’s special teams have been outstanding so far this season, averaging 58.0 yards per kick-off behind the boot of freshman
Nate Fehr; 28.5 yards per kick-off return with
Ben Guiles and
Sean Donovan; and 42.0 yards per punt thanks to
Colt Zarilla; each is the best in the MAC.
Stingy Run Defense
LVC possesses the MAC’s #2-ranked rushing defense, allowing just 106.5 yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry. After allowing 196 yards to Gettysburg’s high-octane offense in Week 1, the Dutchmen held Ursinus to -19 yards and Moravian to 14 yards.
Wilkes Scouting Report
The Colonels, like LVC, were off to a 3-0 start before suffering their first loss of the season last week, a 43-21 setback at Albright. Wilkes has relied on the arm of QB Rob Johnson, who has gone 69-of-121 for 859 yards and 4 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Jordan D’Emilio has been his primary target, catching 26 passes for 310 yards so far, and Gennaro Zangardi has 14 catches for 178 yards. The Colonels have a number of other receiving threats, however, and Johnson has completed a pass to no fewer than 11 Colonels. On the ground, Wilkes averages just 76.5 yards per game, led by Zach Tivald’s 33.8 ypg average. Defensively, Wilkes’ run defense has been very good, allowing just 112 yards per game. The secondary has provided big plays, returning two interceptions for touchdowns this season. Kevin Gerhart has 37 total tackles and an interception, while Corey Gilroy has three interceptions with both touchdown returns.
Next Time Out
LVC stays on the road to visit FDU-Florham next Saturday.