Monday, September 8, 2003

MORAVIAN COLLEGE GREYHOUNDS, 1-0 (1-0 MAC)

JUNIATA COLLEGE EAGLES, 0-1 (0-0 MAC)

1:00 p.m.; Saturday, September 13, 2003
Steel Field (c. 2,500); Bethlehem, PA

THE GAME: Moravian looks to win its second game of the 2003 season in a Middle Atlantic Conference home game with Juniata College. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Steel Field.

THE COACHES: Scot Dapp (West Chester ’73) is in his 17th season at Moravian, with a career record of 101-63-1 (.615). He entered the season 45th in winning percentage among NCAA Division III active coaches. Dapp has earned Coach-of-the-Year honors from the MAC three times including Co-Coach of the Year in 1997 and has led the ’Hounds to two appearances in the NCAA playoffs and the ECAC Southeast Championship game in 2002.

Juniata coach Kevin Burke (Gettysburg ’90) is in his sixth season at the school with an overall mark of 22-29 (.431).

THE SERIES: Saturday’s meeting will be the 49th in the series with Juniata owning a 24-22-2 lead. Moravian earned a 39-23 victory last year and has owned the series recently with an 8-4-1 record in the last 13 games. The series has had a history of close games with a streak of five straight years in which the game ended in a regulation tie from 1995 until 1999. Four of those games went to overtime and three won by Moravian.

LAST TIME THEY MET: In Bethlehem last fall, quarterback Charlie Bowden completed 12 of 20 passes for 113 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score as Moravian earned a 39-23 victory over Juniata. Moravian would get on the scoreboard on a 31-yard field goal by Nate Strohl (Coplay, PA/Whitehall HS) with 3:34 to play in the first quarter. Strohl also connected on a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter. Moravian took its first lead with 6:03 remaining in the second quarter on a Bowden three-yard strike to wide receiver Jed Warsager. Bowden found wideout Ben Hawkins open for a 29-yard scoring strike with just nine seconds left on the clock to give Moravian a 19-15 halftime lead. Bowden connected on his third scoring pass of the day, an eight-yard strike to tailback David Darmofal (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights HS) with 12:15 to play in the third quarter. Strohl’s extra-point gave Moravian a 26-15 lead. Juniata cut Moravian’s lead to 26-23 but defensive back Jarrod Pence read a short pass play and intercepted the ball. Moravian would drive the length of the field and score on Bowden’s one-yard sneak with 7:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. Strohl’s kick gave the Greyhounds a 33-23 lead. Moravian would add an insurance touchdown with 3:08 left in the game when Darmofal ran in from three-yards out. Darmofal led the Greyhound rushing attack with 95 yards on 20 carries while tailback Josh Fick had 63 yards on six carries. Defensively, free safety John Panikiewsky (Carteret, NJ/Carteret HS) and linebacker John Cupples led the team with 12 tackles each while Pence contributed eight tackles; the interception and two pass break-ups. Linebacker Bill Engler had ten tackles and two pass break-ups.

LAST WEEK: Senior tailback David Darmofal ran for 96 yards on 23 carries to go over the 1,000-yard mark for his career, and senior quarterback Will Seng (Allentown, PA/William Allen HS) completed ten of 17 pass attempts for 114 yards and two touchdowns to senior wide receiver Jeff Lowry (Catawissa, PA/Southern Columbia HS) to lead Moravian to a 16-8 season opening victory over FDU-Florham in MAC action. Moravian took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter when senior kicker Josh Miller (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown HS) converted a 27-yard field goal attempt on Moravian’s first drive of the year. The field goal was the first of Miller's career. On the drive, Darmofal’s first run of the year went for 25 yards to give him an even 1,000 yards for his career. He now has 1,071 yards. The Greyhounds extended their lead to 9-0 in the first half when Seng connected with Lowry on a 20-yard touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone. Lowry finished the game with three receptions for 41 yards. Moravian’s lead became 16-0 in the third quarter when Seng and Lowry connected again, this time on a 16-yard scoring strike to the left corner of the end zone on a third-and-11 play. Miller connected on the extra-point. The Greyhounds’ scoring drive of 15 yards was set up by senior cornerback Nate Pogue’s (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty HS) second interception of the game, which he returned 36 yards. Pogue’s other interception return was for three yards, and he had a total of three pass break-ups in the game. Senior wide receiver Kevin Miltenberger (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle HS) had three receptions for 43 yards. Sophomore fullback Kevin Lukich (Ogdensburg, NJ/Wallkill Valley HS) added 48 yards on ten carries and freshman Chris Jacoubs (Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven HS) had 36 yards on five attempts as the Greyhounds ran for 233 yards on 58 carries. The Moravian defense allowed the Devils just 14 yards on 17 carries in the game Senior linebackers Josh DiGiacomo (Zionsville, PA/Emmaus HS) and Steve Maslanek (Stockholm, NJ/Vernon Township HS) each made seven tackles. Maslanek and senior free safety John Panikiewsky each had an interception.

SCOUTING JUNIATA: The Eagles come to Bethlehem with a record of 0-1 after a 28-11 loss to Dickinson College to open the 2003 season last weekend. Junior quarterback Greg Troutman completed 11 of 37 pass attempts for 178 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted twice. Senior running back Craig Moshier was the leading receiver, catching four passes for 17 yards while sophomore wide receiver John Boyer had three receptions for 52 yards. Junior wideout Jared Lucas had two catches for 35 yards including a nine-yard touchdown pass. On the ground, Moshier led the Juniata rushing attack with 101 yards on 29 carries while Troutman picked up 27 yards on ten attempts. Sophomore kicker Daniel Heinlein was one for two on field goal attempts, connecting on a 27-yard field goal and missing from 31 yards out. Sophomore Jesse Leonard averaged 37.2 yards on eight punt attempts. Freshman Kurht Engle had seven punt returns for 77 yards and three kickoff returns for 65 yards while freshman Kiel Knisely ran back two kickoffs for 41 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore linebacker Peter Thomas led the Eagle defense with 15 tackles including three for loss. Junior free safety Matt Garner added 14 tackles while junior defensive lineman Bryon Latterner had 13 tackles, with one for loss. Sophomore free safety Stephen Parsons and junior defensive lineman Fred Wall each had nine stops in last week's game while senior defensive back Brett Merrell and sophomore linebacker Aaron Snair each recovered fumbles. Wall had three tackles for loss while Merrell made a total of six stops. Senior defensive back Mike Brown had two pass break-ups in the game for the Eagles.

YOUNG, BALANCED & EXPERIENCED ‘HOUNDS: Of the 86 players on the Moravian roster, 33 are freshmen, 29 are sophomores and 13 are juniors. There are 11 seniors on this season’s squad, and the Greyhounds return 46 letterwinners and 11 starters.

GREYHOUNDS IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC CONFERENCE: Beginning two seasons ago, the Middle Atlantic Conference became an 11-team conference instead of two separate leagues. Moravian was selected to finish seventh in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll this season while Juniata was picked to tie for fifth and received one first place vote in the MAC poll. Lycoming College was selected as the top team in the MAC.

THE MAC STATISTICAL RANKINGS: The Greyhounds are ranked first in the MAC in total defense, allowing 236.0 yards per game. The squad is seventh in passing defense at 222.0 yards per game and the defense is first in rushing yards allowed at 14.0. The Greyhounds are first in points allowed at 8.0 per game but the squad is sixth in points scored per game at 16.0. Offensively, Moravian is third in the MAC at 347.0 yards per game. The Greyhounds are ranked second in rushing offense at 233.0 yards per game and seventh in passing offense at 114.0 yards per game. Moravian is tied for first in turnover margin with a +3.0 per game average as the Greyhounds have committed one turnover while forcing four turnovers. Nine of the 11 teams in the MAC played last weekend.

MAC WEEKLY HONORS: Senior defensive back Nate Pogue was named to the Middle Atlantic Conference Weekly Honor Roll after making two interceptions, which he returned for a total of 39 yards, one additional pass break-up and a tackle in Moravian's 16-8 victory over FDU-Florham.

THE QUARTERBACKS: Senior Will Seng completed ten of 17 pass attempts for 114 yards last week against FDU-Florham with two touchdowns and one interception. Seng was sacked twice in the game and ran for 16 yards on seven carries. Sophomore Jerry Venturino (Hopatcong, NJ/Hopatcong HS) played the final series of the game but did not attempt a pass.

IN THE BACKFIELD: In the backfield, senior tailback David Darmofal ran for 96 yards on 23 carries with a long of 25 yards on his first run from scrimmage this season. That run put Darmofal at 1,000 yards even for his career, and he now has 1,071 yards as a Greyhound. Sophomore fullback Kevin Lukich picked up 48 yards on ten carries while freshman tailback Chris Jacoubs had 36 yards on five attempts. Junior tailback Cody Hendershot (Bangor, PA/Bangor HS) added 26 yards on eight carries while senior fullback Ray Burgan (Egg Harbor, NJ/Oakcrest HS) had 11 yards on five attempts.

THE WIDE RECEIVERS: Senior wide receivers Kevin Miltenberger and Jeff Lowry each caught three passes last weekend with Miltenberger gaining 43 yards and Lowry adding 41 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Russ Demko (Hellertown, PA/Saucon Valley HS) had one reception for six yards while freshman wide receiver Shawn Martell (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic HS) made one catch for four yards. Senior tailback David Darmofal grabbed one aerial for 16 yards while sophomore fullback Kevin Lukich had one reception for four yards.

OFFENSIVE LINE: The Greyhounds return two of their starting offensive linemen from a year ago with junior Andrew Leska (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh HS) and sophomore Brenten Runne (Stanhope, NJ/Hopatcong HS) back this season. Sophomores Salvatore DeWalt (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic HS), Shaun MacDonald (Spring City, PA/Owen J. Roberts HS) and Justin Runne (Vernon, NJ/Vernon Township HS) have earned the other three staring positions to give the Greyhounds a line that averages six feet, one inch and 275 pounds.

DEFENSIVE FRONT: Sophomore defensive end Bryan Kohlbecker (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South HS) led the defensive front with four tackles. Junior defensive end Shawn Nelson (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic HS) made three tackles last weekend while junior nose tackle Kevin McLaughlin (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast Catholic HS) had two stops. Senior defensive end Justin Moyer (Allentown, PA/Salisbury HS) and sophomore defensive end Robert Stockley (Red Bank, NJ/Middletown South HS) each had one tackle.

THE LINEBACKER CORPS: Senior linebackers Steve Maslanek and Josh DiGiacomo led the Moravian defense with seven tackles apiece last Saturday with Maslanek adding an interception and DiGiacomo adding a pass break-up. Sophomore linebacker Richie Cline (Union Beach, NJ/Keyport HS) added six stops while sophomore backer Steve Cline (Union Beach, NJ/Keyport HS) had three tackles. Junior linebacker Bill Carasia (Fair Haven, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven HS) made two tackles while sophomores Chad DiFelice (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl HS) and Eric Williams (Jermyn, PA/Lakeland HS) each had one stop.

THE DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD: Senior cornerback Nate Pogue made a pair of interceptions and broke up another pass while making one tackle for the Greyhounds. Senior free safety John Panikiewsky added an interception and a tackle. Junior Jim D’Agostino (Oakland, NJ/Ramsey HS) led the Moravian defensive backfield with six tackles while sophomore Gerald Weiss (Gilbertsville, PA/St. Pius X HS) made three stops before leaving the game with an injury. Sophomore Tyler Chomik (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic HS) added three tackles and two pass break-ups while freshman defensive back Israel Aguila (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom HS) made two tackles in a reserve roll. Junior Bill Skriletz (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh HS) made on tackle last week.

KICKING GAME: Junior punter John McLain (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere HS) averaged 40.8 yards per punt last week on five attempts. Three of his punts ended up as touchbacks and McLain had a long kick of 45 yards. Senior kicker Josh Miller made his first career field goal attempt, a 27-yard field goal, to open the scoring for the Greyhounds in last weekend's victory. He added an extra-point on two tries in the game. Sophomore place-kicker Nate Strohl (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall HS) missed the game with an injury.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior Kevin Miltenberger returned three punts for a total of 29 yards with a long return of 11 yards. Sophomore Tyler Chomik also had one punt return for five yards. Freshman Chris Jacoubs returned one kickoff for 22 yards for the Greyhounds while freshman Chris Tomelden (Barnegat, NJ/Southern Regional HS) recovered an FDU-Florham on-side kick attempt with just over a minute and a half to play in the game, helping seal the Moravian victory.

OVERTIME ‘HOUNDS: Moravian has played a total of seven overtime games since the NCAA instituted the rule for the 1996 season and is 5-2 all-time in the extra-session. Last year was the second time since 1996 that the Greyhounds did not play at least one overtime game.

WINNING WAYS: Moravian had 11 consecutive winning seasons—all under Coach Scot Dapp, from 1987 to 1997 and has had 13 winning seasons in Dapp’s 16 years. The 11-straight winning seasons is the longest in school history. Dapp ranks third among Greyhound coaches in winning percentage.

ON THE AIRWAVES: For the seventh straight year, the Greyhounds football game will be aired on WGPA, Sunny 1100 AM. Phil May calls the play-by-play call with color commentary from Jim Wills.