Lebanon Valley (6-1, 3-1 MAC) at Widener (3-4, 1-3 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 31 - 1 p.m. - Quick Stadium - The 65th Meeting
Live Stats: WidenerPride.com
Radio: WMSS 91.1 FM
Webcast: WMSSFM.com
 

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Media Notes In PDF Format (includes two-deep)

In the thick of the MAC title chase and 6-1 for the first time in 48 years, LVC shoots to continue its breakout season with a win at Widener. The Pride are 3-4, having lost three in a row after a 3-1 start, including a 31-17 setback at Albright last week.

On the Radio
All of this season's games will be heard live in the capital region on WMSS 91.1 FM. Steve Leedy and Brian Keyser will call the action at Widener. Every game will be streamed live and free at WMSSFM.com and www.GoDutchmen.com.

If You Only Know 5 Things...
1. A win would put LVC at 7-1 for the first time in program history, and would elevate LVC to seven wins for the first time since going 7-3 in 1992.
2. LVC's rushing offense is best in the MAC at 223.9 yards per game, more than 55 yards more than the next-best team, Delaware Valley. #Ben Guiles# (102.9 ypg, 6 TDs) is second in the MAC in yardage and #Charlie Parker# (90.7 ypg) is fourth.
3. LVC needs Delaware Valley to lose one of its final three games, and win out on their own, to have a chance at the MAC title. Del Val is at King's today, hosts Albright next week, and finishes at Widener.
4. Lebanon Valley rotates at both quarterback and running back; #Caleb Fick# interchanges with #Colt Zarilla# at QB, while #Charlie Parker# and #Ben Guiles# swap, often within the same series, at tailback.
5. Lebanon Valley appeared in the NCAA Regional Rankings at #8 in the East this week, the first time in program history it has been in the rankings.

King's Recap
Lebanon Valley improved to 6-1 for the first time since 1961 as it rolled by King's, 40-14, in front of an enthusiastic Oktoberfest Weekend crowd at Arnold Field. Read the full recap here.

Best Start Ever?
With a win today, Lebanon Valley would go to 7-1 for the first time in program history, and ensure a seven-win season for the first time since going 7-3 in 1992. LVC has only won seven or more games four times in 112 seasons: in 1992 (7-3), 1960 (7-2), 1951 (7-3), and 1902 (8-5).

LVC Enters Regional Rankings At #8
For the first time in program history, LVC has entered the regional rankings released by the NCAA at #8. The NCAA does four in-region rankings, after weeks 8, 9, 10, using the same criteria it uses for selection to the NCAA Championship bracket; although the rankings are non-binding, they are an indicator of relative strength in-region. The MAC had three ranked teams, with Albright taking the top spot and Delaware Valley at #3. (See full rankings here)

The MAC Race
This weekend will set up a frantic two-week push for the MAC title, with the key players facing each other Nov. 7 and Nov. 14. The current situation has Delaware Valley and Albright tied at 4-0 in the MAC, and LVC a game behind at 3-1. DVC and Albright will play each other next week; LVC plays Albright Nov. 14; and DVC has already beaten LVC. LVC needs DVC to drop a game at some point in order to open up a shot at the title; if the Aggies win out, they would win it outright. LVC has not won the MAC championship since it was tri-champ in 1969.

Twin-Headed Attack, Part I
The rushing tandem of senior #Charlie Parker# and sophomore #Ben Guiles# has emerged as one of the MAC's most dangerous offensive assets this season. The two have combined to average 200.6 yards per game with 11 touchdowns this year, with Guiles at 102.9 ypg and Parker 90.7 ypg. Together, they have put together six 100-yard games in seven outings. Guiles alone averages 7.1 yards per carry, which ranks fourth in the nation in NCAA Division III (min. 100 carries).

Twin-Headed Attack, Part II
While Parker and Guiles spur the rushing attack, LVC swaps out quarterbacks as well, with starter #Caleb Fick# and back-up #Colt Zarilla# each taking series throughout the game. The addition of Zarilla provides LVC with some mobile options, and the righty gives a different passing look than the southpaw Fick. Combined, the two are 90-of-149 for 1,243 yards and nine touchdowns; Fick has compiled the bulk of the passing work with 968 yards, while Zarilla has run for 68 yards and two TDs.

Parker Stands Alone
With his first carry of the game against FDU-Florham, senior #Charlie Parker# became Lebanon Valley's all-time rushing yardage and carries leader, fighting for 12 yards up the middle to top Rick Coleman '78 in both categories. Parker ended with 81 yards in that game. After his 107 yards against King's, Parker stands at 3,285 for his career, and he now has 715 carries. Both records had stood for 32 years.

Zarilla Named MAC ST POW
For the second time this season, QB/P #Colt Zarilla# has earned MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. In challenging weather conditions against King's, Zarilla averaged 40.7 yards per punt, including a 49-yarder into a stiff wind and a perfectly-placed 30-yarder that was downed at the King's four. That punt set up LVC to return an interception for a touchdown two plays later. His final punt went 43 yards despite a bouncing snap in a driving downpour in the fourth quarter.

LVC Featured on d3football.com
On Tuesday, LVC football was featured on d3football.com's Around the Region feature, profiling the resurgence of the program under Coach Jim Monos, and the effectiveness of the rushing attack.

Guiles' Breakout Season
Sophomore RB #Ben Guiles# has been red-hot on the road this season, going over 100 yards in three of LVC's four road games and averaging 102.9 yards per game overall; Guiles averages 119 yards per game on the road, versus 81 yards per game at home. If Guiles can keep it up, he will have a shot at teammate #Charlie Parker#'s single-season rushing yardage record (1,105 yards); Guiles' average currently would put him about 75 yards short of that mark.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!
LVC has become well accustomed to the rain this year, having played three games in the wet so far, including the last two, at FDU-Florham on Oct. 17 and last week in a driving downpour against King's. All three of those games resulted in LVC wins; the forecast for the Widener game is upper 60's with a 40% chance of rain.

Greener On the Other Side
Three of LVC's four road games so far this season have been on artificial surfaces, and the Dutchmen have enjoyed it, going 3-0 in those games (at Gettysburg, at Moravian, and at FDU-Florham). Saturday's game at Widener will be the fourth, and LVC will also play on Albright's artificial surface Nov. 14. Lebanon Valley has averaged 25 more yards of total offense on artificial than natural surfaces this year (397 vs. 372 yards).

Sack Happy
Part of LVC's strategy all season long has been to put major pressure on the quarterback, and as a result, they lead the MAC in sacks with 22 for a loss of 133 yards. LVC managed a sack against King's, whose offensive line had given up just three sacks in six games going in; overall, LVC averages 3.1 sacks per game this season. #Zach Bleiler# (7.5 sacks) and #Alex Gilchrist# (5.0 sacks) lead the team.

Turning the Tide
Leading King's 26-14 in the third quarter last week, LVC faced a big stop to keep the Monarchs from driving and trying to score with a quarter to go. King's QB Corey Lavin had just polished off a big 49-yard touchdown run, and LVC went three-and-out. After a fantastic #Colt Zarilla# punt put King's on its own four and Phillip Shaw rushed for five yards, Lavin went long down the sideline and was picked off by #Matt Lillis#, who went 31 yards to the house for his first career pick-six. Just like that, King's momentum vaporized, and instead of allowing the Monarchs to get within a score, the Dutchmen were on the good end of a 33-14 blowout.

Stingy Run Defense
LVC possesses the MAC's #2-ranked rushing defense, allowing just 99.6 yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry. LVC has held opponents to 40 yards or less on the ground in four of seven games this season and has not allowed a 100-yard game by an opposing running back.

Controlling the Clock
LVC's prolific run game has allowed it to control the clock when it needs to, exemplified best at Wilkes when the Dutchmen ate the final 6:40 of the fourth quarter to prevent the Colonels from getting the ball back, preserving a 21-18 lead. LVC has controlled the ball for 31:34 per game this year, which ranks second in the MAC (behind Albright), and is also first in first downs at 21.3 per game.

Everybody Scores
LVC has had 10 different players involved in scoring points this season, including six different players with rushing touchdowns. #Joe Brennan# (6 TDs receiving) and #Sean Donovan# (3 TDs) have caught passes; #Ben Guiles# (6 TDs), #Charlie Parker# (5 TDs), #Bryan Lynch# (3 TDs), #Blair Ransom# (3 TDs), #Colt Zarilla# (2 TDs), and Fick (1 TD) have all scored on the ground. #Dan DiBona# (1 FG, 2 PATs) and #Brittany Ryan# (21 PATs) have also scored points this season.

Young On the Lines
Between the eight starters of the offensive and defensive lines, there are three all-MAC returners, and 127 combined career starts. Yet among those eight, there is a more significant number that jumps out - there's only one senior. LT #Sean Tetreault# is the lone senior, with four juniors and three sophomores rounding out the group. And, if you go further into the two-deep, there's only one more senior among their back-ups: #Rob Evangelista# at strong-side defensive end.

Taking on the Centennial Conference
LVC went 3-0 against the Centennial Conference, marking the first time that has happened since the formation of the Centennial in 1992. LVC's wins came over Gettysburg, Ursinus, and Moravian.

Ridewood's Homecoming
Saturday's game will be a final homecoming for junior CB #Tim Ridewood#. The Interboro product is a native of Glenolden, just northeast of Chester. In his only career game at Quick Stadium, in 2007, Ridewood had four tackles and broke up two passes in his first career start.

Widener Scouting Report
Widener has struggled to a 3-4 record, dropping three games in a row after a strong 3-1 strong to the season. Freshman quarterback Chris Haupt has completed just 47.1 percent of his passes, going 98-of-208 for 1,338 yards, but he has also thrown 11 interceptions to 10 touchdowns. Widener has relied on the pass, rushing for 117 yards per game, while passing for 201.6. Justin Horning has been the most dangerous receiving threat, catching 29 passes for 441 yards and five touchdowns, and Rick Ritter has 19 grabs for 309 yards and a TD. Adam Smith (217 yards, 5 TDs) and Ian Decker (175 yards, 2 TDs) are the main ball carriers. Defensively, Widener has been middle-of-the-pack in the MAC, allowing 352.9 yards of offense per game. The run defense has been solid, allowing only 113.7 ypg, and the front seven has generated 18 sacks this season. LB Joe Favinger has a team-high 50 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss and 4.0 sacks, while Shane Szumski and Brian Pastor each have 44 stops; James Woodley has 9.5 TFL and 4.0 sacks among his 29 hits. Eight different members of the Pride have a sack this year, and 15 have a tackle for a loss.

LVC-Widener Series History
The game is the 65th meeting all-time between LVC and King's ... Widener leads the series, 40-22-2 ... The first meeting was Nov. 30, 1933, a 0-0 tie ... LVC won last year's game, 20-13, in the only overtime contest between the two schools ... The Oktoberfest clash last year was won by an overtime touchdown by #Ben Guiles#, and Brian Cottone '09 secured a last-ditch tackle to keep Widener a yard short of a first down on fourth down ... LVC has not won two in a row in the series since wins in 1991 and 1992 ... Widener has dominated the series since 1971, winning 29 of 33 in that span, including an 11-game win streak from 1993 to 2003 ... Jim Monos is 4-12 against Widener ... The past four meetings have been high-scoring, with an average score of 26-21 for Widener ... LVC is 9-22-1 at Widener ... This will be the 25th consecutive meeting, dating back to 1985 ... LVC is 9-2-1 playing on Halloween, including 1-0 against Widener  (a 7-6 win in 1936).

Next Time Out
LVC returns to Arnold Field for its regular-season home finale against Lycoming Nov. 7.