Lebanon Valley begins a new era as it plays its first game on the turf at Arnold Field, hosting new program Misericordia. It's the Middle Atlantic Conference opener for both teams.
 

Game Info Game Day Central LVC Media Notes / Two Deep MU Two Deep Game Day Program

Game Coverage Live Stats: GoDutchmen.com Live Video: LVCtv Radio: Flying Dutchmen Radio Network (WMSS 91.1 FM / WWSM 1510AM) Radio Webcast: WMSSFM.com

Live Video On the Web
Saturday's game will be the debut of LVCtv, the new free video streaming channel for LVC athletics. All five home games will be broadcast this season at GoDutchmen.com/lvctv.

On the Radio
The game will be broadcast on the Flying Dutchmen Radio Network on WMSS 91.1 FM in Middletown and WWSM 1510 AM in Annville. John Wilsbach and Brian Keyser will call the action. The game will be streamed live and free at WMSSFM.com and GoDutchmen.com.

Weather Forecast
[Forecast] Partly cloudy, humid with a game-time high of 84 degrees and a 60% of thunderstorms.

Tickets
Tickets, available at the gate, are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for non-LVC students. Parking is free. Please note LVC's tailgating policy for permitted locations.

If You Only Know Five Things...
1. LVC will be playing its first-ever game on the new FieldTurf at Arnold Field. The surface was installed this past summer; the Dutchmen had played on grass for the past 115 seasons.
2. Misericordia, a new program, is playing its first-ever MAC game.
3. Lebanon Valley received votes in this week's d3football.com Top 25 poll after topping Montclair State in Week 1. LVC was one of four MAC teams to appear, with #22 Delaware Valley, #25 Widener, and Albright also receiving votes.
4. Junior safety Josh Borreli was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week after making seven tackles with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown at Montclair.
5. Lebanon Valley has scored defensive points in three straight games going back to last season.

Welcome to the New Arnold Field!
This past summer, Arnold Field underwent a transformation with the addition of a FieldTurf Revolution playing surface. The state-of-the-art surface is the same type that the Seattle Seahawks play on. The rubber and sand in-fill field means that LVC can both play and practice in the stadium, and the competition-quality lights will also allow for practice flexibility. This season, first the first time, all 10 of LVC's games will be played on an artificial surface.

Recapping Montclair State
Lebanon Valley's defense generated four turnovers, including Josh Borreli's fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown, to open the season with a 31-21 win over Montclair State in the MAC-NJAC Challenge series. The Dutchmen made the most of every opportunity against the Red Hawks, who had received votes in the d3football.com preseason top 25. Despite being outgained by a significant margin on offense, turnovers in key spots and efficient offensive performance made the difference. Pete Panichi ran for 137 yards while Conrad Heisey and Evan Fink each had a rushing touchdown. Joey Miller caught a 35-yarder in the second quarter, and Sean Fakete tacked on a 24-yard field goal. Nate Kauffman and Ian Bond also added interceptions, while Jared Cicero forced a late fumble that Andrew Burkholder recovered. Montclair outgained LVC 423-288, doing the bulk of their work in the air with 348 yards passing. LVC controlled the ground, however, allowing just 75 yards rushing while Panichi, Fink, and Heisey combined for 170.

Noting LVC's Offense
LVC's offensive two-deep is unchanged from Week 1 ... Leo Kyte made his first start at quarterback against Montclair State, going 8-for-20 for 118 yards and a touchdown ... That strike was a 35-yard catch by Joey Miller ... Miller had 41 yards on two catches, Jake Zeigler found four balls for 43 yards ... Pete Panichi, in his first career start, was impressive, going for 137 yards on 26 totes, including a 46-yarder ... He combined with Conrad Heisey and Evan Fink for a 170-yard rushing day overall ... Both Heisey and Fink had short-yardage touchdowns ... Nate Myers had one catch in his first career start at tight end ... There were no first-time starters on the offensive line, which did well to help LVC generate 170 yards rushing while allowing three sacks ... The Dutchmen were turnover free ... LVC was 3-for-4 on fourth-down conversions, but only 4-for-17 on third down.

Noting LVC's Defense
No two-deep changes for the LVC defense ... The Dutchmen made a defensive score for the third consecutive game dating back to last season when FS Josh Borreli had a 30-yard touchdown return for a touchdown ... It was one of three interceptions in the game for LVC, along with SS Nate Kauffman and OLB Ian Bond ... Jared Cicero, in his first career start at safety, forced a fumble that Andrew Burkholder recovered ... NT Kevin Smith made three tackles with a half-sack, and line-mates Richie Batz (2 T, 0.5 TFL) and Zach Halpin (2 T) made their first starts ... Burkholder led the linebackers with five stops, including a half-tackle for loss ... DJ Poligone had two stops, while Todd Mika and Bond were credited with one apiece ... Montclair's pass-heavy offense tested LVC's secondary most of all, with Borreli leading the Dutchmen with seven tackles ... Cicero had six stops with a break-up, and Kauffman and CB Jerome Duncan had five each ... CB Zach Wierman made three tackles and broke up a pass ... LVC allowed 348 yards passing, but just 75 yards rushing on 27 attempts ... In addition to being +4 on turnovers, LVC forced two turnovers on downs ... Montclair had five drives in the fourth quarter, four of which were stopped by LVC's defense: they ended on downs, interception, interception, touchdown, fumble ... Two of the three interceptions came in the end zone.

Noting LVC's Special Teams
Freshman John Harsch made the biggest special teams play of the day, getting to Montclair punter Steve Hellings after a bad snap to set up an LVC touchdown from the 3-yard line ... Jake Zeigler punted five times for a 35.2 ypp average, with a long of 48 ... Only one punt was returned ... Matt Richmond took all three kickoffs for a 27.7 average ... Richmond also had a punt return for 10 yards, and Bryan Ek took one back 8 ... Sean Fakete was 4-for-4 on extra points and hit a 24-yard field goal, but missed left from 32 in the third quarter.

LVC Receives Top 25 Votes
After last week's win at Montclair State, Lebanon Valley received four votes in the d3football.com Top 25 poll. LVC was one of four MAC teams to appear, with #22 Delaware Valley, #25 Widener, and Albright also receiving votes.

Borreli Named MAC Defensive Player of the Week
On Sunday, junior safety Josh Borreli was named the MAC's Defensive Player of the Week after an impressive day in LVC's 31-21 win at Montclair State. Borreli returned a fourth-quarter interception 30 yards for a touchdown and led Lebanon Valley with seven tackles overall.

Secondary Comes First
LVC's secondary had a field day at Montclair State, picking off three Red Hawk passes thanks to Borreli, Kauffman, and Bond. That was the first time LVC had three interceptions in a game since playing at Lycoming in 2010. Their work, combined with Jared Cicero's forced fumble, made LVC +4 for the game.

New Faces
LVC fielded eight first-time starters on offense and defense at Montclair State, four on either side of the ball. They were: QB Leo Kyte, RB Pete Panichi, WR Jake Zeigler, TE Nate Myers, DE Zach Halpin, DE Richie Batz, LB Todd Mika, and FS Jared Cicero.

MAC Coaches Pick LVC Fourth
Lebanon Valley College has been picked fourth in the Middle Atlantic Conference's preseason coaches' poll. The Dutchmen (8-3, 5-3 MAC in 2011) are coming off their third straight postseason appearance with a win in the 2011 ECAC South West Bowl. Lebanon Valley received 50 points to tie for fourth with Albright. Defending champion Delaware Valley was picked first with 77 points; Widener is second at 71 points, and Lycoming third with 70. Wilkes, Stevenson, King's, FDU-Florham, and new program Misericordia round out the poll.

Colletts Collects Preseason All-America Honors
Senior center Sam Colletts has earned three preseason all-America nods this summer. The all-ECAC and all-MAC pick was named a first-teamer by USA College Football, a second-teamer by the D3Senior Classic, and a third-teamer by Beyond Sports College Network.
 
Fakete Eyes More Records
Junior kicker Sean Fakete set an LVC single-season record with 43 PATs last year, and his eight field goals ranked second all-time. In doing so, he became the first LVC kicker in a decade to earn all-MAC honors. He co-holds the single-game PAT record (7, twice) and the single-game scoring record by a kicker (13). He already has some career records in sight, with Brittany Ryan '11's PAT mark of 82 within reach this season (Fakete has 63).

Misericordia Quick Look
The Cougars began their program last week with a tough assignment, facing an explosive offense that LVC fans know all too well in a 70-0 setback at Gettysburg. Still, Misericordia could take some positives out of their first outing; feature back Cody Lamoreaux ran 16 times for 28 yards, while quarterback Jeffrey Puckett went 13-for-21 for 113 yards. The Cougars did not commit a turnover (in fact they were +1), and dominated the time of possession (36:44).

Next Time Out
LVC will goes on the road to face Lycoming next Saturday. The Dutchmen return home Sept. 29 against Widener.