Gettysburg College Football

My Son

2008-12-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

As we prepare to honor this year’s senior members of the Gettysburg Bullets Football team and cheerleaders, I’d like to thank everyone who accepted my little hobby over the past 4 years. The blog was a labor of love. I’m on the computer all day for work so why not mix in some fun.

My first blog started when my son, Nick McConnell was in high school. Blogging was still fairly new and I thought it would be a cool way to collect the sports stories that were written about his football team. Well, I enjoyed it so much I started the Bullets Blog his freshman year at Gettysburg.

I want to thank you Nick for giving me the pleasure of following your football career -- Pony (8-10 yrs old), Midget (11 & 12 yrs old), Freshman (8th & 9th grade), and Varsity (10th – 12th grade.)

It seems like only yesterday your midget coach was instructing you (the converted 12 year-old lineman) to not run away from would-be tacklers, but to instead run them over. I can still picture you running across the field to run over a skinny little 98 lbs. d-back instead of taking the straight and narrow route to the endzone! 22 TDs later and a 2nd consecutive undefeated midget football season it was time to show the Cedar Crest Falcons what was coming! Coach Klahr (God rest your soul) you created a monster!

The Cedar Crest days were memorable as well. A coaching change your senior year brought with it the vaunted Wing-T offense that produced two 1,000 yard rushers and a 6-4 season. How fitting that you scored a touchdown on your final high school carry! Even though there were many tears after your last high school game we all new there was still more football to be played. (We just didn’t know where your collegiate career was headed at that time.)

After many college visits (from 20 minutes away to 5 hours away) you found a home in Gettysburg. You talked about how comfortable it felt when you first stepped foot on campus. Wow, was that really 4 years ago already? 4 years and 4 letters later you wrapped up your college career just as you did your high school career, with a jaunt into the endzone!

Never forget the memories… some good, some not so good. They are all a part of the growing process and you’ve grown to be a fine young man. You will be a better person for the lessons you’ve learned over the past 4 years. The lives you touch when you are out there in the “real world” will benefit from these lessons as well.

We often tell you how proud we are of you. That pride didn’t end when you took off the pads for the last time. In fact this is only the beginning. We are proud of the person that is within Nick McConnell the student-athlete. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you.

You have aspirations to become a coach. I said it before and I’ll say it again. Somewhere out there is a group of young athletes that will have the pleasure to play for a coach named Nicholas Patrick McConnell. They don’t know it yet, but they are destined to be the luckiest bunch of football players in the world.

Nick, thanks so much for the memories. We all look forward to the new memories that you have in store for us!

Love ya buddy!

Dad

Nick McConnell Named to Conference Sportsmanship Team

2008-12-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Six Student-Athletes Named to CC Sportsmanship Team

LANCASTER, Pa. – The Centennial Conference released its fall 2008 Sportsmanship Team, and it included six Gettysburg College student-athletes. Representing Gettysburg on the team were junior Andy Askins (Bangor, Maine/John Baptist Memorial) of the men’s cross country team, senior Becca Zabel (Frederick, Md./Urbana) of the women’s cross country team, senior defender Jenny McIntyre (Glenmoore, Pa./Coatesville) of the field hockey team, senior tailback Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) of the football team, sophomore forward Brett Howley (Winchester, Mass./Winchester) of the women’s soccer team, and junior right side hitter Stephanie Rickabaugh (West Chester, Pa./Henderson) of the volleyball team.

Each member institution was permitted to nominate one student-athlete from each fall program who exemplifies the best in sportsmanship. This is the second year of the All-Centennial Sportsmanship Team, which was proposed by the conference’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll

2008-11-20T09:36:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Justin Blass, Nick Duerr and Matt Lessler who were named to the 2008 Centennial Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll.

To be nominated for the Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll, a student must meet the following criteria: (a) participates in at least 50 percent of contests, matches or meets, or in the Conference varsity championship in cross country; (b) a sophomore or higher in class standing; (c) cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher.

Centennial Conference Weekly Release

2008-11-18T12:06:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Nick McConnell, Joe Delaney, and Josh Huson for being named to this week's Centennial Conference Honor Roll for their contributions in Satuday's win over F&M! You can read this and other conference news in this week's Centennial Conference Weekly Release.

Five Bullets Named All-Centennial Conference

2008-11-18T11:45:00.000-08:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Five Bullets Named All-Centennial Conference

Josh Jerrold captured First Team All-CC honors

All-Centennial Conference Team

LANCASTER, Pa. – Five members of the Gettysburg College football team have been named to the All-Centennial Conference Team, the conference office announced Monday.

Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./East Pennsbury) was the Bullets’ lone first-team member while four offensive players gained all-conference status after helping the Bullets lead the league in total offense (438.2 ypg) for the third year in a row.

Jerrold was named all-conference for the second straight season after attaining second-team status a year ago. He enjoyed an outstanding senior campaign, racking up 9.5 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss. He currently leads the Centennial Conference and is tied for 18th in Division III in sacks and is second in the conference and is tied for 43rd in the nation in tackles for loss. His 15.0 tackles for loss were second in school history and his 9.5 sacks were fifth-most by a Bullet in one season. Jerrold also led the team and is second among the conference leaders with four forced fumbles and is tied for sixth on the team with 44 tackles. In one of his top performances of the season, he made 2.5 sacks and forced three fumbles in a 38-7 win over Ursinus.

For his career, Jerrold finished tied for third in school history in sacks (19.5) and fourth in tackles for loss (32.5).

Representing the offense on the All-CC Second Team were sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air), senior tackle Sam Walthall (Uniondale, N.Y./Woodlands), and senior guard Lou Mastrini (Washington, D.C./Blue Ridge School [Va.]) while senior tight end David Rodriguez (Fort Belvoir, Va./Bishop Ireton) garnered honorable mention accolades.

In his first year as a starter, Mutunga, who was named all-conference for the first time in his career, led the Bullets in rushing with 800 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry and closed the season with a bang, rushing for a career-high 144 yards and a pair of TDs in a 54-21 win over Franklin & Marshall in the Bullets season finale.

Walthall and Mastrini blocked for an explosive offense that not only leads the conference and ranks 23rd nationally in total offense but also ranks first in the Centennial in pass offense (222.0 ypg), second in scoring offense (32.9 ppg), and third in rushing offense (216.2 ypg). Against Franklin & Marshall, they helped the Bullets post their highest scoring total in seven years and their highest rushing output (434 yards) in nine years. Walthall was a first-time all-conference pick while Mastrini picked up his second straight All-CC honor. He was an honorable mention selection last season.

Rodriguez made a successful transition from defensive back to tight end to earn all-conference recognition for the first time in his career. He made nine catches for 193 yards and caught a pair of touchdown passes, including a 63-yarder on Gettysburg’s first play from scrimmage against Ursinus.

Gettysburg won five of its final six games of the season to finish 5-5 and 5-3 in the Centennial Conference.

Sunday News and Notes

2008-11-16T16:49:00.000-08:00

From The Hanover Evening Sun:

Gettysburg conquers heavy rain, F&M to finish at .500
By CORY MULL Evening Sun Sports Writer
Article Launched: 11/16/2008 04:03:26 AM EST

When the cloud cover unleashed something the Bullets had never seen before on a football field, the Gettysburg College men's team wiped their faces, buckled their helmets and said, "Is that the best you got, Zeus?"

The Bullets ended their season on Saturday at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium with one of the most impressive wins in school history - playing through what can aptly be described as a monsoon - as it beat Franklin & Marshall, 54-21, to end the season at 5-5 after it had started with four straight losses.

"I didn't imagine 54 (points)," Bullets head coach Barry Streeter said. "I dreamed about it. I didn't imagine it. They're really good. They have a good defense. But we were on today. Our kids ran the ball. We blocked hard. Matt Flynn managed the game really well. I never imagined this."
The Bullets accrued 517 yards of total offense against the Diplomats (4-6), the Centennial Conference's top scoring defense entering the game, giving up 14.1 points per game, and had two 100-yard rushers.

Sophomore Jamel Mutunga had 148 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Senior Nick McConnell had 183 yards rushing and two touchdowns. His last carry went for 44 yards and set in motion one of his goals entering the season.

"The last carry of my high school career was for a touchdown," McConnell said. "My goal coming into my senior year was to have my last carry as a touchdown. So going out like that is pretty unbelievable."

Kicker Josh Huson, No. 4 in career kick scoring entering the game, moved up to No. 2 by the final whistle. With seven extra points, he had 204 points on the season and was only three shy of the record held by Brent Sandrock of McDaniel from 1997-2000.

The 434 total yards of rushing the Bullets amassed was the most since 2002. The 54 points Gettysburg scored was the most its totaled against F&M since 1905 and it was the most points the Diplomats had given up since 2002.

Most of the points came in waves, despite horrendous field conditions.

"We kept thinking that it was going to be an occasional shower," Streeter said. "But then the wind was crazy. We were able to score a couple touchdowns. When (the Diplomats) got it in their face was when it really started coming hard."

Quarterback Matt Flynn, who was 7-for-9 for 72 yards and a touchdown, said he could hardly see five yards past his helmet.

"A few points there you couldn't see very well," Flynn said. "The balls were slippery, so we just mixed the run game in and we did a great job of doing that. It worked well for us."

The turning point came early in the second quarter, with Gettysburg clinging to a 14-7 lead. It had just forced F&M to turnover on downs after the Diplomats had driven 44 yards on 11 plays.

From their own 16, the Bullets picked up action right as the rained reached its climax and visibility was at an all-time low. The Bullets called their zone play before Mutunga broked through the parting seas and scampered his way toward an 85-yard touchdown run.

The Bullets added a touchdown before the break and three more in the final two quarters.

"At the beginning of the season we went out in the first four games and lost," McConnell said.

"Nobody put their heads down. We just kept fighting. We didn't want to go out with a losing season. We just kept working hard, practicing and I think once we got over that hump we showed ourselves that we could do it.

Contact Cory Mull at cmull@eveningsun.com.

Bullets Run Wild on F&M, Top Dips 54-21 in Monsoon

2008-11-15T17:39:00.000-08:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Bullets Run Wild on F&M, Top Dips 54-21 in Monsoon

Nick McConnell piled up a career-high 181 rushing yards and two TDs against F&M

Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Gettysburg rushed for 299 of its 434 yards in the first half and the Bullets closed their 2008 season with a bang, running away with a 54-21 Centennial Conference victory over Franklin & Marshall College Saturday afternoon on Senior Day at a drenched Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.

After starting 0-4, the Bullets (5-5, 5-3 CC) won five of their final six games, the team’s best six-game stretch since the 1994 squad won six in a row, while finishing with at least a .500 record for the third straight season. Franklin & Marshall (4-6, 3-5 CC) lost its second straight game to end the year.

Gettysburg had two players go over 100 yards rushing in the first half alone, when the Bullets outscored the Diplomats 33-7 in a furious driving rain. Senior tailback Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) ran for 111 of his career-high 181 yards in the opening half while sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) posted 123 of his career-high 144 yards over the opening 30 minutes. The two finished with two rushing touchdowns apiece. It was the first time since last season’s 41-10 win at Johns Hopkins that the Bullets finished with a pair of 100-yard rushers, when Tom Sturges ’08 had 148 and junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) had 119.

Sophomore wing Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph’s) added 67 yards rushing and a touchdown on just three carries while junior wings Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Balwin) and Michael McInerney (Habrouck Heights, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) rushed for one touchdown apiece.

The Bullets scored 40 points more than F&M's Centennial Conference-leading scoring defense average (14.1) entering the game.

Gettysburg’s 434 rushing yards marked the team’s highest output since their 458-yard performance in a 59-28 win at St. Lawrence on Oct. 30, 1999. It was the team’s first 50-point game since its 52-7 win over Lebanon Valley in 2003 and was the team’s highest-scoring game since their 61-6 victory at Averett in 2001. The Bullets ran up their second-highest scoring total ever against F&M, second only to the team’s 72-0 win in 1905.

Flynn attempted just nine passes for Gettysburg but set a pair of school records. He broke the school’s career passing yardage record, upping the mark to 5,207, and surpassed the single-season passing yards record, which now stands at 2,126. Dennis Flaherty ’01 held both previous records. Flynn also set school records for career total offense and career touchdown passes earlier this season. He finished 7-for-9 for 72 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 26 yards.

Flynn helped Gettysburg break the single-season team record for passing yards, as the Bullets finished with 2,220.

Senior kicker Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) was 6-for-7 on extra-point attempts and finished his career with 204 points, which ranks second on both the Gettysburg and Centennial Conference charts for kick scoring.

Jeff Hogan came on in the second half to throw for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 15-of-24 passing for F&M while George Eager caught five passes for 64 yards and a TD. Ryan Murray led F&M on the ground, carrying the ball 10 times for 74 yards.

Freshman safety Joe Delaney (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) had nine tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception for Gettysburg.

Despite the extremely wet conditions, the Bullets did not commit a turnover for the first time this season.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Bullets needed just five plays to move 66 yards before scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Flynn to sophomore Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape). McConnell got things started, breaking off a 33-yard run to the F&M-21. Three plays later, Flynn hit Betley one yard shy of the end zone, and Betley drug a defender into the end zone as the Bullets took a 7-0 lead just 1:37 into the game.

A steady rain at kickoff turned into a furious, driving downpour minutes into the game, and the Diplomats tied it up on their second possession when backup quarterback Mark Mellinger came on to score on a 5-yard keeper up the middle, capping a 5-play, 37-yard drive.

The Bullets took the lead for good when they scored on their ensuing drive. Mutunga gave his team a first-and-goal at the Diplomat-1 after breaking free for a 32-yard run, and he took it up the middle on the next play. Huson came on to knock through the extra point, giving the Orange and Blue a 14-7 lead with 2:29 left in the first quarter.

F&M threatened to tie the game after driving 45 yards to the Bullet-15, but that’s where the drive stalled and Gettysburg took over on downs. On the very next play, Mutunga broke through the line of scrimmage and out-sprinted the defense up the middle for an 85-yard touchdown run with 11:27 remaining in the opening half. It was a career-long run for Mutunga, the team’s longest play from scrimmage this season, and Gettysburg’s longest rush since Dusty Green’s 85-yarder against Hampden-Sydney in 2006. The Bullets failed to get off an extra-point attempt following a bad snap as Gettysburg increased its advantage to 20-7.

With the rain coming down in torrents, the Bullets continued to roll on their next two possessions. After holding F&M to punt, Curcio took a pitchout left and raced down the sideline for a 30-yard touchdown run as the Bullets went ahead 27-7 with 7:48 on the clock.

Gettysburg forced the first turnover of the game when Delaney stripped the ball from Mellinger on the ensuing possession, and senior linebacker Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) fell on it at the Bullet-47. Gettysburg then went to the ground for a 10-play, 53-yard touchdown drive, running the ball on every play. McConnell took the handoff seven times while eating up 35 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run to make it a 33-7 game at the half.

After receiving the second-half kickoff, F&M turned it over on its third play from scrimmage, when Delaney came down with a tipped pass and returned it four yards to the Gettysburg-49. However, the Bullets were unable to capitalize after Huson’s 43-yard, line-drive field goal attempt fell short.

With the rain letting up slightly, the Diplomats turned it over on downs on its next drive, and Gettysburg responded with a 10-play, 71-yard touchdown drive. The Bullets kept the chains moving when senior tight end David Rodriguez (Fort Belvoir, Va./Bishop Ireton) hit freshman punter Rob Pennella (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan) with an 11-yard, first-down pass to the Gettysburg-48 on a fake punt. Six plays later, McInerney took it on from 1 yard out as the Bullets lead swelled to 40-7.

F&M cut the gap to 47-21 with 10:50 left in the game after Hogan sandwiched a pair of touchdown passes – a 19-yarder to Alan Williams and an 8-yarder to Eager – around a 3-yard TD run from Manigat.

McConnell set the final score on the first play of the ensuing drive. After the Bullets recovered an onside kick, he burst down the left sideline and dodged several defenders en route to a 44-yard touchdown run.

Staley and sophomore cornerback Tairi Mobley (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) each tied their career-high tackle total, with Staley making 11 stops and Mobley dealing 10 hits. Senior linebacker Terence Hartigan (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) also notched 10 tackles while senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East) had four tackles and a sack to finish his career tied for third on Gettysburg’s career sack list with 19.5 and fourth in tackles for loss with 32.5.

Zach Romash led F&M with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, while James Gregory had 10 stops and 2.0 for loss.

From the F&M Website:

Bullets Shoot Down Diplomats
Nov 15, 2008

Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. -- After watching Ryan Murray run all over its defense in last year's meeting, the Gettysburg Bullets returned the favor, running to a 54-21 win over Franklin & Marshall in Centennial Conference (CC) football on Saturday. The Bullets (5-5, 5-3 CC) rolled up 299 yards of rushing on 25 carries in the first half and 434 yards in the game. Three of the first half touches ended in the Diplomats' (4-6, 3-5 CC) end zone, giving the Bullets an insurmountable 33-7 lead at the half.

Jamel Mutunga and Nick McConnell each rushed for well over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Mutunga rushed for 123 yards and a pair of scores in the first half. He broke off a 34-yard run down to the Diplomats' one-yard line and plunged in on the next play. His next touch came on first down of the Bullets' next possession. He split the Diplomats' defense to go 86-yards for the score that broke F&M's back.

Nick McConnell had rushed for 111 yards on 13 carries in the first half before finally finding the end zone with 28 ticks in the second quarter. He finished the game with 181 yards on 17 rushes. Charles Curcio rushed for an additional 68 yards from the win, scoring one touchdown and setting up another. His score came on a 30-yard run.

Gettysburg outgained F&M 517-396, and went five-for-five in the red zone.

The Bullets marched 66 yards on five plays to score on their opening possession. F&M answered on its second possession, a five-play, 37-yard drive finished by Mark Mellinger's second rushing touchdown of the season making it 7-7. It was all Gettysburg from there.

Ryan Murray led F&M's offense with 74 yards on 10 carries. George Eager caught five passes for 64 yards and a second half touchdown. It was the second of Jeff Hogan's two touchdown passes in the second half. He had hit Alan Williams for the first touchdown on both ends of the equation from 19-yards out late in the third quarter.

The Diplomats close the 2007 season at 4-6, with a 3-5 mark in league play.

Friday News and Notes

2008-11-14T09:23:00.000-08:00

The following was taken from The Centennial Conference Friday Tailgate:

Franklin & Marshall at Gettysburg
Video: Yes. Audio: godiplomats.com. Live Stats: Yes.

It's the 94th renewal of the second-oldest series in the Conference between the Diplomats and the Bullets ... F&M holds a slim 44-42-7 all-time edge, winning five of the last six meetings ... Diplomat QB John Harrison's 14 TD passes on the season ties a Centennial single-season mark for freshmen ... WR Jarrell Diggs snared a 55-yard scoring pass vs. Hopkins for his fifth touchdown of the season, along with two passing scores ... RB John Kaschak leads all Centennial rookies with 564 rushing yards ... the Diplomats have lost just two fumbles this season ... Gettysburg won its fourth game in its last five starts with a 38-9 win at McDaniel, spoiling the Terror's Homecoming Weekend ... QB Matt Flynn went over the 2,000 passing-yard mark for the season (2,054) ... PK Josh Huson's 47-yard field goal vs. McDaniel was his third kick of 40 or more yards in his career and was a yard shy of his own school-record boot ... a victory would give would Gettysburg its third straight non-losing campaign for the first time since 1993-94-95 ... a win would give Franklin & Marshall just its second non-losing campaign since 1996.

Franklin & Marshall (4-5, 3-4 CC) at Gettysburg (4-5, 4-3 CC)

2008-11-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

From the F&M Website:

Franklin & Marshall (4-5, 3-4 CC) at Gettysburg (4-5, 4-3 CC)
Nov 15, 2008

Today’s Game: Franklin & Marshall (4-5, 3-4 CC) at Gettysburg (4-5, 4-3 CC)Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium Gettysburg, Pa. 1:00 p.m.

Free Live Audio: On B2 Networks
Live Video: From Gettysburg
Live Stats: From Gettysburg

Additional F&M Content in PDF
Centennial Conference Notes
LancasterOnline Preview

On the Line: Both teams are playing to get to .500. The Diplomats are looking for their first .500 season since 2004 and second in the new millennium. The Bullets are looking to avoid their first losing season since 2005. F&M’s head coach, John Troxell is trying to close the season with a .500 career mark in league games, while Barry Streeter is trying to avoid dipping below .500.

Series History: Today’s game marks the 94th meeting between Gettysburg and Franklin & Marshall in a series that began with a 68-0 Franklin & Marshall win in 1890. The game was played on Thanksgiving Day for the better portion of the early part of the 20th century. The Diplomats hold a tenuous lead on the series with a 44-42-7 edge.

The bulk of the series has been played out in Lancaster, with 68 of the 93 games on the books having been settled on the Sponaugle-Williamson gridiron. F&M holds a 36-27-5 lead in those games, and has taken the past two meetings at home. The most recent tie came in 1985, when the squads finished the day without changing the scoreboard. It was the third scoreless tie in the series. Neither team mustered a point in the 1920 or 1921 clashes. All told, there have been 30 shutouts in the series (33 if you count the scoreless ties twice). Gettysburg was the victor in 16 of the shutouts, while F&M has won 11 without surrendering a point. The series has also seen an anomalous 4-4 tie coming in the 1893 meeting.

The Coaches: John Troxell is in his third season as the head coach at Franklin & Marshall College. He has posted an 11-8 (11-12 CC) record in his rebuilding campaign. The Diplomats’ mentor has coached eight All-Centennial Conference players during his first two seasons. Named the 39th coach in F&M football history on March 22, 2006, Troxell took the reins of the Diplomats following five seasons as an assistant coach at Lafayette. His squad won the Patriot League in 2005.

Barry Streeter returns for his 30th season as the head football coach at Gettysburg College in 2008. Streeter is not only the winningest coach in program history, but he is also the longest tenured coach having passed the legendary Henry “Hen” Bream (1927-51) on both counts. In addition, Streeter became the all-time winningest coach in Centennial Conference history with a 27-20 win over Moravian College on Oct. 6, 2007, giving him 78 Centennial victories. He is 157-147-5 (84-84-3 CC)

The Last Meeting: Sophomore running back Ryan Murray rushed for four of his five touchdowns in the fourth quarter, when Franklin & Marshall outscored Gettysburg 28-7 as the Diplomats defeated the Bullets in a 56-38 Centennial Conference shootout at Sponaugle-Williamson Field.

Trailing 31-28 heading into the final quarter, F&M (4-6, 4-4 CC) went ahead for good on Murray's third TD, of the game, a soaring 1-yard dive with 7:49 left that made it 42-38. Murray rumbled for a school record 240-yards, marking the second time in three games he surpassed the 200-yard plateau, and third-straight game he has rushed for 100-or more yards. That coincides with Franklin & Marshall's three-game winning streak to close the season.

Murray became the first Diplomat to rush for more than three touchdowns in a game in the program's history. His fifth touchdown tied a pair of 56-year old records for Touchdowns Responsible For and Points Scored in a Game (30). Wally Witmer has maintained sole ownership of those records since he threw for five touchdown passes against Johns Hopkins back in the 1951 meeting.

The game featured 1,023 total yards of offense, with the Diplomats out-gaining Gettysburg 544-479. The 544 yards mark the third highest game of offensive production in F&M history, while the 56 points mark the most scored since F&M's 59-13 win over Georgetown in 1984.Gettysburg Last Week: Gettysburg forced four McDaniel turnovers and the Bullets outscored the Green Terror 28-3 in the second half to pull away for a 38-9 Centennial Conference victory at Scott S. Bair Stadium.

Gettysburg (4-5, 4-3 CC), which out-gained McDaniel 374-183, broke the game open by scoring 21 unanswered points over an eight-minute span at the start of the second half, converting off a pair interceptions and a partially-blocked punt.

Senior tailback Nick McConnell led Gettysburg with 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just 12 carries while sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga added 74 yards on 14 attempts. Junior quarterback Matt Flynn completed 11 of 21 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns and now finds himself one passing yard shy of the career school record of 5,039 held by Dennis Flaherty ’01.

Gettysburg’s defense held McDaniel (2-7, 1-6 CC) to 33 yards rushing and three Jay Leonard field goals, marking the first time the Bullets did not allow a touchdown since their 10-3 victory over Muhlenberg in 2005. Senior defensive tackle Anthony Pastore led the way with seven tackles, a career-high 2.0 sacks, and one interception while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes dealt six hits. Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold contributed 2.5 tackles for loss while sophomore cornerback John Dickerson had a pair of pass breakups in the end zone to go with an interception. Sophomore cornerback Tairi Mobley added three pass breakups.

F&M Last Week: A.J. Albert intercepted John Harrison’s two point conversion pass in the waning moments of the fourth quarter to seal a 26-25 Johns Hopkins win over Franklin & Marshall in Centennial Conference (CC) football action on Saturday. The Diplomats (4-5, 3-4 CC) gambled in playing for the win and lost, however, they recovered the onsides kick with 27 seconds left in the game for another crack. With F&M working without the aid of any timeouts, Hopkins (7-2, 5-2 CC) closed the door on the Diplomats after three plays, tackling Ryan Murray on the Jay’s 41-yardline leading to the expiration of the clock.

Hopkins never trailed during the contest, getting on the board late in the first quarter when Andrew Kase plunged in from a yard out for the first of his two touchdowns in the game. The back rushed for 85 yards on 22 carries. His third score from two-yards out marked the first time this season an opponent scored on Sponaugle-Williamson Field. It also gave Hopkins a 20-13 lead.

F&M responded quickly with backup quarterback Mark Mellinger, who went in on a designed run from 14 yards out. The Diplomats went for two but failed to convert on a Harrison to Jay Ridinger pass under the goalposts, keeping it 20-19 in favor of the Jays. Hopkins answered right back, with Tucker Michaels catching a six-yard pass from Tyler Porco, but the Jays missed the extra-point, keeping F&M within a score. It was Michels’ second touchdown of the game. He went in from 48 yards out on a pass Hewitt Tomlin early in the second quarter.

The Diplomats methodically marched 80-yards on 17 plays, chewing up 8:28 of the 8:55 that remained after Michel’s score before Harrison found Ridinger on a similar play to the first failed two point conversion, setting up the second ill-fated try for two.

On that play, Harrison had plenty time but no receivers in his sight. He dipped into Ridinger’s well once more, but Albert stepped in front of the forced desperation pass to decide the game.Harrison threw for 207 yards and three touchdowns, including a 55-yard toss to Jarrell Diggs that tied the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter. The freshman went 23-34 on the day. Matt Jenschke caught a seven-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter to knot it at 13-13. Hopkins’ Glenn Rocca blocked the PAT attempt. Harrsion threw another touchdown pass to Alan Williams’ who scored from 34-yards out, only to see it called back on a holding flag.

Penalties were a problem for both teams with the Diplomats being set back 62 yards on seven flags. The Jays lost 77 yards on six penalties, however four were personal fouls resulting in automatic first downs, including a critical penalty that turned a fourth and nine sack into a Diplomats first down on F&M’s final scoring drive.

The Jays worked three sacks in the game, piling up 18 yards of losses for F&M. Kale Sweeney was responsible for two-thirds of the sacks, amongst his three tackles for losses of 13 yards. He had 10 total tackles and a pass breakup in the game. Chris Baldwin led all tacklers with 11 stops (seven solo). Shane Gray led all F&M tacklers with eight tackles, four of which were solo.Tomlin threw for 210 yards and a score on 14 completions in his 24 attempts. Michels caught eight passes for 133 yards and his pair of scores for JHU.

They’ve Got a Pastore at Tackle Too: Senior defensive tackle Anthony Pastore of Gettysburg is the reigning Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Pastore earned his first collegiate player-of-the-week honor for his efforts in Gettysburg’s 38-9 Centennial Conference victory at McDaniel College on Saturday. He posted a team-leading seven tackles, a career-high 2.0 sacks, and made his first collegiate interception, which led to a touchdown. Pastore helped the Bullets limit McDaniel to 183 total yards and 33 rushing yards.For the season, Pastore, who missed the team’s first three games with an injury, ranks 11th on the team with 21 tackles, including 4.0 for loss, and 3.0 sacks.

Chasing Quarterbacks: F&M freshman quarterback, John Harrison, will be trying to outpace with Matt Flynn in more ways than one on Saturday. Harrison is tied with Flynn for the Conference record for touchdowns thrown by a freshman (14), and needs 219 yards to move ahead of Flynn into third for passing yards by a freshman.

Eight is Enough: John Harrison connected with eight different receivers last week, tying for the most distributive game of his young career. He hit eight against Ursinus and spread it to seven receivers in three other games. His three touchdown throws matched his season-high as well.

On the Receiving End: Jarrell Diggs’ 55-yard touchdown reception from John Harrison was the longest touchdown of the season thrown by an F&M quarterback. Diggs had thrown the season’s two longest passes of 67 and 65-yards, both to George Eager. His 55-yard trip into the end zone during the Hopkins loss left the freshman receiver with an equal number of touchdown passes caught as thrown. He has also rushed for a pair and returned a punt for a touchdown.

First Downs: F&M posted 23 first downs against Johns Hopkins, matching the season-high posted against Ursinus.

Career Charts: George Eager is currently tied with Paul Sousa for 11th in career receiving yards with 1,339. He needs 51 yards to pass Corby Lucas for thenth and has a realistic shot at moving into eighth needing 109 yards…. Jeff Kellar sits 15th in interception return yards with 107. Only 17 fummers have passed the 100-yard mark in their career. Three yards would give him sole possession of 14th on the list, while 31 would break him into the top ten. He is 20th in interceptions, needing just one to make his way into the top 15. A return for a touchdown would give Kellar sole ownership of the career interceptions returned for touchdown mark at F&M… Five tackles separate James Gregory and Zach Romash, with Gregory needing a pair to jump ahead of Chuck Young for 18th on the career list. Gregory’s first solo tackles t

Troxell’s Takes…

Final Thoughts on Hopkins…
“Obviously they were a good team. We have preached ball security all season long, but we lost the turnover battle. We also had some costly penalties. To beat a good football team you need to play 60 minutes of good football.”

On Going for Two…
“I thought it gave us the best opportunity to win. We had a much better chance to win it than to go into overtime. I wanted to leave the outcome in the hands of the kids who worked to give us the opportunity.”

On Mellinger…
“Mellinger did a real nice job with a package of plays. He is going to be a real good football player. The offense did a good job responding throughout, the eight-minute drive was huge.”

Podcast: Gettysburg’s Nick McConnell

2008-11-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

The following Podcast is taken from the Lancaster Newspapers Website:

Podcast: Gettysburg’s Nick McConnell

November 13th, 2008 1:07 pm

Former Cedar Crest standout previews Saturday’s game against F&M

Franklin & Marshall will cap its football season on Saturday with a road trip to rival Gettysburg.

The winner will walk away with a .500 record for the season; the loser will finish 4-6 overall.

Gettysburg senior running back Nick McConnell will surely be a factor in the game, and will be a player F&M’s defense will most definitely need to be aware of.

The 2005 Cedar Crest grad splits time as the Bullets’ feature back. He has carried 104 times for 504 yards (second-most on the team) and he’s scored eight touchdowns (most on the team).

The former Falcons’ standout has enjoyed a solid senior season, just one season after a knee injury that cost him a good chunk of the 2007 season.

But McConnell, who was part of a two-man, 1000-yard backfield at Cedar Crest with current IUP standout Tobias Robinson, spent the off-season rehabbing, and returned with a vengeance for his senior season.

McConnell will also be honored on Senior Day, when Gettysburg (4-3 Centennial Conference, 4-5 overall) hosts F&M (3-4 Centennial Conference, 4-5 overall) on Saturday at 1 p.m.

I chatted with McConnell about his career at Gettysburg, about overcoming a pretty bad knee injury, about his days at Cedar Crest, and about this week’s big rivalry game against F&M.

You can listen to the interview by clicking here.

You can also download the Podcast and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking here.

And for plenty more on the Gettysburg-F&M game, please be sure to follow these links:

Franklin & Marshall football page

Gettysburg football page

Huson Named to D3football.com Team of the Week

2008-11-12T16:13:00.000-08:00

Also from the Gettysburg College Website:

Huson Named to D3football.com Team of the Week

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Senior kicker Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) has been named to the D3football.com national Team of the Week following an outstanding game in Gettysburg’s 38-9 win at McDaniel College this past Saturday. Huson had a perfect day kicking for the Bullets. He went 5-for-5 on extra points and booted a 47-yard field goal, one yard shy of the school record that he tied in 2005. His three-pointer came on the last play of the first half and gave his team a 10-6 lead. For the season, Huson is the team’s second-leading scorer, racking up 47 points on 32 extra points and five field goals. The Bullets (4-5, 4-3 CC) close out their season on Saturday, when they host Franklin & Marshall College at 1 p.m.

Bullets to Host F&M in Season Finale

2008-11-12T16:02:00.000-08:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Football to Host F&M in Season Finale

Comlete Game Notes

The Game
Looking to close out the season with a win, Gettysburg (4-5, 4-3 CC) takes on Franklin & Marshall College (4-5, 3-4 CC) in a Centennial Conference showdown. With a victory, the Bullets would clinch a third straight season with at least a .500 record.

Game Coverage
Saturday's game will be streamed live on a pay-per-view basis at http://www.gettysburgsports.com/member/bridge.asp?url=/member/aa_signup.aspx, with Josh Scheinblum '10 calling the action and Curtis Lafferty '10 providing color commentary.

Senior Day
Before the start of the game, Gettysburg’s 14 seniors will be honored in a brief ceremony.

Series Notes
F&M holds a 44-42-7 lead in the second-oldest series in the Centennial Conference. The two teams have met in their regular season finale every year since 1983, with the Diplomats winning five of the last six meetings.

Home Sweet Home
The Bullets will be playing their first home game in five weeks after their four-week, three-game road trip during which they went 2-1. Gettysburg's last home game was a 48-41 win over Moravian on Oct. 11.

Last Time Out
Gettysburg forced four McDaniel turnovers and the Bullets outscored the Green Terror 28-3 in the second half to pull away for a 38-9 victory in Westminster, Md. last Saturday. Gettysburg, which out-gained McDaniel 374-183, broke the game open by scoring 21 unanswered points over an eight-minute span at the start of the second half, converting off a pair interceptions and a partially-blocked punt. Senior tailback Nick McConnell led Gettysburg with 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just 12 carries while sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga added 74 yards on 14 attempts. Gettysburg’s defense held McDaniel to 33 yards rushing and three Jay Leonard field goals. Senior defensive tackle Anthony Pastore led the way with seven tackles, a career-high 2.0 sacks, and one interception while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes dealt six hits. Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold contributed 2.5 tackles for loss while sophomore cornerback John Dickerson had a pair of pass breakups in the end zone to go with an interception. Sophomore cornerback Tairi Mobley added three pass breakups.

John Harrison had his potential game-winning two-point conversion pass intercepted with 29 seconds left and F&M dropped a heartbreaking 26-25 decision in their home finale to Johns Hopkins last Saturday in Lancaster. Before the Diplomats went for the win, Harrison had completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jay Ridinger, his third TD strike of the game. F&M did manage to recover an ensuing onside kick, but the clock ran out with the Dips stuck on the Hopkins-41 after running three plays. In an extremely tight game, F&M never led but never trailed by more than seven points. Harrison finished with 207 yards on 23-of-34 passing while junior receiver George Eager and freshman tailback Alan Williams made five catches apiece. Sophomore linebacker Shane Gray made eight tackles to lead F&M defensively.

Last Season’s Game
Ryan Murray rushed for four of his five touchdowns in the fourth quarter, when Franklin & Marshall outscored Gettysburg 28-7 as the Diplomats defeated the Bullets 56-38 in a shootout in Lancaster. The game featured a combined 1,023 yards, with the Dips out-gaining the Bullets 544-479. Trailing 31-28 heading into the final quarter, F&M went ahead for good on Murray’s third TD of the game, a soaring 1-yard dive with 7:49 left that made it 42-38. The Diplomats scored two more times to win going away. Murray finished with 240 yards on 40 carries and scored F&M’s final five touchdowns. Kyle Turner passed for 290 yards for the Dips, who had a pair of 100-yard receivers. George Eager caught 10 passes for 137 yards while Jay Ridinger had five receptions for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jamel Mutunga rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries for Gettysburg while Matt Flynn threw for 260 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Brian Betley caught three passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

With Honors
Pastore was honored for his performance against McDaniel, earning Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week accolades. It was the first collegiate player-of-the-week honor for Pastore, who became the fourth player to earn POW recognition this season.

Record Setter
Junior quarterback Matt Flynn has broken a pair of career school records this season and is on the verge of setting two more. He has established Gettysburg records for career touchdown passes (36) and total offense (5,880) and needs just two more passing yards to break Dennis Flaherty’s ’01 career mark of 5,136. He is also 14 completions shy of Flaherty’s school record of 386.

2nd to 2K
Flynn exceeded 2,000 passing yards for the season against McDaniel on Saturday, becoming just the second player in school history to reach the milestone. He joins Flaherty, who threw for a school-record 2,095 yards in 2000. Flynn now has 2,054 passing yards for the season.

Defending Their Turf
Gettysburg did not allow a touchdown in its victory over McDaniel on Saturday, the first time that occurred since the Bullets’ 10-3 win over Muhlenberg on Oct. 29, 2005. Highlighting the defensive effort was the team’s goal-line stand late in the first half, when Gettysburg held McDaniel to a field goal after the Green Terror had a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line.

Closing in on 200
With two more points, senior Josh Huson can become just the second kicker in school history and the third in Centennial Conference history to reach the 200 milestone for his career.

Scouting Gettysburg
The Bullets have enjoyed a fine offensive season and lead the conference in passing (237.4 ypg) while ranking second in scoring offense (30.6 ppg) and total offense (429.4 ypg). Flynn, who has tossed 12 touchdowns while completing 57.4% of his passes, leads the conference in passing (228.2 ypg) and is second in total offense (252.2 ypg). Four different players have caught 20 or more passes, including junior wing Ricky Manigat (32 rec., 357 yds., one TD), sophomore wing Charles Curcio (31 rec., 367 yds, three TDs), sophomore receiver Gavin Jablonski (30 rec., 445 yds), and sophomore receiver Brian Betley (20 rec., 375 yds., three TDs). The running game is led by the duo of sophomore Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) and senior Nick McConnell, who have teamed up for 1,188 yards rushing. Mutunga, averaging 72.9 yards per game, has scored five touchdowns while McConnell, who has posted 56.0 yards per game, has scored a team-leading eight touchdowns. Defensively, senior linebacker Terence Hartigan leads the team with 71 tackles while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes has made 67 hits. Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold has posted an outstanding season, leading the conference in both sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (14.). Curcio has also excelled on special teams as the squad’s primary return specialist and ranks fifth in the conference in all-purpose yards (139.7 ypg). Huson, who ranks second on the team with 47 points, has connected on 32-of-36 extra points and has booted five field goals.

Gettysburg is coached by Barry Streeter, now 151-147-5 in his 30th season with the Bullets. He is the all-time winningest coach in Centennial Conference history (84 victories) and is 11th among active Division III coaches in career wins.

Scouting Franklin & Marshall
The Diplomats, who are looking for their first road victory this season, have been led by their stout defensive unit that leads the Centennial Conference in scoring defense (14.1 ppg) and pass defense (140.0 ypg) and ranks second in total defense (266.8). Senior linebacker Zach Romash has led the way with 76 tackles, including 7.5 for loss, while senior linebacker James Gregory is close behind with 74 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and two interceptions while junior safety Jeff Kellar leads the team with three picks. F&M has relied heavily on its passing game to score points, as the Dips have scored over twice as many touchdowns through the air (16) as they have on the ground (seven). Freshman quarterback John Harrison has thrown for 1,328 yards and all 14 of the team’s touchdowns while junior receiver George Eager has caught 46 passes for 573 yards and five TDs. Eager has also excelled as the team’s primary kick returner and leads the conference with his 33.8-yard average. Sophomore receiver Jay Ridinger has added 24 receptions for 222 yards and three scores. A freshman also handles the team’s rushing chores, as rookie John Kaschak has run for 564 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman Jarrell Diggs has provided the team with a spark on special teams and leads the conference in punt return average (11.9 ypr). F&M has attempted just five field goals this season and its season-long is a 21-yarder.

The Diplomats are coached by John Troxell, who is 11-18 in his third year at the helm. He came to F&M via Lafayette College, where he served as video coordinator, running backs coach, recruiting coordinator and special teams coach for the 2004 and 2005 Patriot League champion Leopards.from 1982-85.

F&M Week

2008-11-11T05:19:00.000-08:00

Well, it's hard to believe the football season will be coming to a close this weekend. Here's the F&M season preview that was published in the D3Football.com Kick-off Edition:

Franklin and Marshall Diplomats

Last playoff appearance: 2005
Last year: 4-6, 4-4 CC
Last conference title: 1995
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 122
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 113
Wins increase from 06-07: Plus-1
Preseason ranking: 114 of 239
Players who started camp: 75
Head coach: John Troxell, third year, 7-13
Starters returning: 20 (nine offense, nine defense, two specialists)

Position battle to watch: Quarterback. Each one of them is either a freshman or a sophomore and none have seen significant minutes. Soph Jeff Hogan enters camp as the starter, and coach John Troxell likes Hogan's size (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and arm strength. But he will be pushed by several freshmen, including John Harris and Mark Mellinger, who spent most of his high school career behind the highly-touted Pat Bostick, now a sophomore at Pitt.

Pressure is on: The backfield. Besides the noted inexperience at quarterback, multiple starters return at wideout and on the offensive line. Troxell linked his team's success late in 2007 to a more balanced offense. Ryan Murray ran for 100+ yards in each of those games. He'll be joined by freshmen Allan Williams and John Kaschak, both accomplished high school players. All three will need to contribute to keep F&M balanced.

Where did he come from? Nose guard Powis Forjoe is originally from Ghana's capital city, Accra, and never played football until his sophomore year, Troxell's first as head coach. A 3.8 GPA student, he picked up the game quickly. Now, the 6-foot, 270-pound senior is the favorite to be the Diplomats' starter.

Their season will be defined by: The conference opener against Dickinson for the Conestoga Wagon. Against Dickinson, which has gone 17-5 in the past two seasons, F&M will use the game as a measure of its progress.

Predicted record: 4-6, 3-5

Capsule: With several starters returning on both sides of the ball -- and about half of them seniors -- this could be the start of a season in which the Diplomats take a step forward in the Centennial. They certainly have the momentum. After losing six of their first seven games in 2007, F&M won its final three, beating McDaniel, Johns Hopkins and Gettysburg. Running back Ryan Murray will be a key cog to the offense. Though he was fourth in the league in rushing, the Diplomats were more successful through the air. But the biggest question mark on that side of the ball is who will replace Kyle Turner at quarterback. Defensively, James Gregory -- an all-conference second-teamer in 2007 -- returns to lead the linebacking crew, which returns intact. Andrew Rocks, who had five sacks a year ago, is one of two returners along the defensive line. But the Diplomats, in the middle of the pack in many statistical categories, will need to cut down on penalties: They were last in the league in that category, racking up more than 50 penalty yards per game.

Conference News and Notes

2008-11-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

Congratulations again to Anthony Pastore, this week's Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week!

Also, congratulations to Nick McConnell and Josh Huson for making the Conference Honor Roll for their contributions to Saturday's win over McDaniel!

You can read more about this as well as a preview of Saturday's game against F&M in this week's Centennial Conference Weekly Release.

Pastore Named CC Defensive Player of the Week

2008-11-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Pastore Named CC Defensive Player of the Week

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Senior defensive tackle Anthony Pastore (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) of the Gettysburg College football team has been named the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced Sunday. Pastore earned his first collegiate player-of-the-week honor for his efforts in Gettysburg’s 38-9 Centennial Conference victory at McDaniel College on Saturday. He posted a team-leading seven tackles, a career-high 2.0 sacks, and made his first collegiate interception, which led to a touchdown. Pastore helped the Bullets limit McDaniel to 183 total yards and 33 rushing yards.For the season, Pastore, who missed the team’s first three games with an injury, ranks 11th on the team with 21 tackles, including 4.0 for loss, and 3.0 sacks. Gettysburg (4-5, 4-3 CC) concludes its season on Saturday, when it hosts Franklin & Marshall College at 1 p.m. on Senior Day.

Sunday Morning News

2008-11-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

From the Carroll County Times:

Mistakes catch up to McDaniel football in loss
By Josh Land, Times Staff Writer

The McDaniel defense had been stifling. The offense had been threatening. And then everything changed once the third quarter began.

Turnovers, bad decisions and a defense that could no longer hold on against the league’s best offense turned a promising homecoming game into a 38-9 Gettysburg rout on Saturday at Scott S. Bair Stadium.

The Green Terror (2-7, 1-6 Centennial Conference) were outscored 21-3 and outgained 124-44 in the third quarter alone after trailing just 10-6 at halftime. McDaniel committed three turnovers in the decisive quarter and the Bullets (4-5, 4-3) scored 14 points off the giveaways to send the home team to its fifth loss in a row.

“The harder and harder we fought, the more and more we sunk,” McDaniel linebacker Mike Weick said. “It comes down to the fact that one thing happens and we just hit a landslide. Good teams don’t let that happen.”

A few players said the loss was reminiscent of a game two weeks earlier when the Terror led entering the fourth quarter but blew it with a series of miscues.

“It was Ursinus all over again,” cornerback Travis Wenrich said. “It was just bad things — fumble, interception, punt blocked.”

Not just one of those things occurred. Not just two. But all did during Saturday’s third quarter.

Junior Aaron Slaughter fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half when he took an awkward leap to receive the kick, but ended up batting it forward. It was recovered by Gettysburg on the Terror 26-yard line and Bullets tailback Nick McConnell scored five plays later on a 1-yard touchdown run.

McDaniel went three and out on its second possession of the quarter and punted. Wenrich intercepted his fourth pass of the year to end the subsequent Bullets drive.

But Terror quarterback Tom Massucci threw the first of his three interceptions on the very next play when his pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and picked off by defensive tackle Anthony Pastore.

Gettysburg started the ensuing possession on the McDaniel 42 and scored three plays later on a Ricky Manigat 33-yard run down the visiting sideline.

The Terror went three and out again the next drive. On fourth down, Wenrich had his punt blocked, it traveled just three yards and Gettysburg again started in McDaniel territory — at the 37.

Quarterback Matt Flynn made it 31-6 on the third play of the possession, a broken play he turned into a 21-yard touchdown pass following several moments of scrambling sideline to sideline.

The Terror turned it over one last time on a Massucci interception the next possession. But they got the ball back on downs and followed with their final points of the day on a Jay Leonard 32-yard field goal set up by a 49-yard pass to Pat McCarrick.

Before that scoring drive, McDaniel’s first five possessions of the quarter ended in lost fumble, punt, interception, blocked punt and interception.

With those mistakes burying the Terror, junior receiver and captain Matt Cahill said the emotions on the sideline began sinking as if some players reacted, “Oh no, not again.”

“I try to keep people up because I know as soon as you go down, especially early in the second half, that you’re done,” Cahill said. “For the most part, guys stayed up. We just weren’t making plays on offense to help out the ‘D.’”

To coach Tim Keating, the loss boiled down to a poor start to the second half.

“We can’t fumble. We can’t throw an interception. We can’t get a kick blocked,” he said. “That just stunk.”

Big Second Half Lifts Bullets Over McDaniel, 38-9

2008-11-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Big Second Half Lifts Bullets Over McDaniel, 38-9

Box Score

WESTMINSTER, Md. – Gettysburg forced four McDaniel turnovers and the Bullets outscored the Green Terror 34-3 in the second half to pull away for a 38-9 Centennial Conference victory at Scott S. Bair Stadium.

Gettysburg (4-5, 4-3 CC), which out-gained McDaniel 374-183, broke the game open by scoring 21 unanswered points over an eight-minute span at the start of the second half, converting off a pair interceptions and a partially-blocked punt.

Senior tailback Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) led Gettysburg with 99 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just 12 carries while sophomore tailback Jamel Mutnga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) added 74 yards on 14 attempts. Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Bel Air) completed 11 of 21 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns and now finds himself one passing yard shy of the career school record of 5,039 held by Dennis Flaherty ’01.

Gettysburg’s defense held McDaniel (2-7, 1-6 CC) to 33 yards rushing and three Jay Leonard field goals, marking the first time the Bullets did not allow a touchdown since their 10-3 victory over Muhlenberg in 2005. Senior defensive tackle Anthony Pastore (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) led the way with seven tackles, a career-high 2.0 sacks, and one interception while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) dealt six hits. Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East) contributed 2.5 tackles for loss while sophomore cornerback John Dickerson (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) had a pair of pass breakups in the end zone to go with an interception. Sophomore tailback Tairi Mobley (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) broke up three passes and had a key fumble recovery.

Freshman Thomas Massucci, making his first collegiate start, threw for 150 yards for McDaniel on 14-of-33 passing but was intercepted three times.

Senior kicker Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) had a perfect day for the Bullets, going 5-for-5 on extra-point attempts and drilling a 47-yard field goal.

The Bullets assumed an early 7-0 led after marching 54 yards on the game’s opening drive. Junior A.J. Helm (Atco, N.J./Hammonton) fielded a short opening kickoff and took it 24 yards to the Bullet-46. The drive was keyed by a first-down pass completion from Flynn to sophomore Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) to the McDaniel-36 on third-and-six. After four straight rushes, Flynn found senior tight end David Rodriguez (Fort Belvoir, Va./Bishop Ireton) crossing the end zone, hauling in a hard-thrown ball in tight coverage. Huson came on for the point-after with 11:06 on the clock.

It was tough sledding over the remainder of the half for Gettysburg’s offense, as it managed one first down on its next four drives, which all resulted in a punt. But the Bullet defense was also in high gear, holding the Green Terror to just a pair of field goals and coming up with an epic goal-line stand near the end of the half.

Leonard put McDaniel on the scoreboard with a 29-yard field goal on his team’s second drive of the game before the Bullets forced the Terror to punt on their next two possessions. After Gettysburg’s fourth punt, McDaniel took over at the Bullet-42 before embarking on a season-long 16-play, 56-yard drive that chewed up 8:40. A 6-yard pass from Massucci to Nick Guisti gave McDaniel a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line, but the Bullets stuffed the hosts on three straight rushes. Junior defensive lineman Sean Beirne (Ventnor, N.J./Atlantic City) made a stop just shy of the goal line on first down before sophomore safety Nick Duerr (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township) made a hit on second down. Then on third down, Jerrold penetrated the line and drug down O’Hara for a loss of a yard on a pitch right. McDaniel then elected to attempt a field goal and Leonard drilled a 19-yarder to make it 7-6 with 1:11 remaining in the opening half.

Gettysburg went into the locker room with some momentum after Flynn drove the Bullets 47 yards in just 1:05 to put his team in field-goal range, setting up a 47-yarder from Huson on the final play of the half. Mutunga started the march with a 14-yard first-down run before Flynn made three first-down completions – a pair of 11-yarders to Jablonski, the second of which put Gettysburg at the McDaniel-30, and a 12-yarder to sophomore Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape). After the second pass to Jablonski, Flynn threw a pair of incomplete passes before the Bullets elected to attempt the field goal, and Huson’s attempt just cleared the crossbar as he recorded the second-longest field goal of his career. It was his longest three-pointer since he tied the school record with a 48-yarder against McDaniel in 2005.

The Green Terror’s second-half miscues began immediately, as it fumbled the opening kickoff which Mobley pounced on at the McDaniel-26. Five plays later, McConnell bulled in from 1 yard out to make it 17-6 just 2:10 into the period.

Later in the quarter, Flynn was picked off on a scrambling sideline pass, but the Gettysburg-D responded on the very next play, as Jerrold batted a pass that Pastore came down with at the Green Terror-42. Three plays later, junior wing Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) took a pitch left on a third-and-1 and sprinted 33 yards down the sideline, pushing the lead to 24-6 with 8:20 showing.

The Bullets held McDaniel to a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and sophomore Ryan Quinlan (Manasquan, N.J./Wall) got a hand on the punt. The ball rolled dead at the Green Terror-47, and a 10-yard McDaniel illegal touching penalty moved it forward 10 yards. On the third play of the ensuing drive, Flynn scrambled out of trouble and, sprinting to his right, found Mutunga wide open at the 5-yard line. Mutunga waltzed into the end zone for a 21-yard scoring play, giving his first career touchdown reception as the Bullets lead ballooned to 31-6 with 5:41 left in the third quarter.

Leonard kicked his third field of the game 54 seconds before the end of the third quarter to make it 31-9 before McConnell took charge on the following drive. McConnell took the handoff four times and piled up 66 of the team’s 90 yards, including a 35-yard bust down the left sideline to set up Gettysburg at the McDaniel-44. He also broke off an 18-yarder before scoring from 12 yards out with 12:54 on the clock. Huson knocked through his fifth extra point of the game to set the final score.

Gettysburg plays its season finale next Saturday, when it hosts Franklin & Marshall College on Senior Day. The Centennial Conference match-up is set for 1 p.m.

From the McDaniel College Website:

Big third quarter carries Gettysburg to 38-9 victory over McDaniel

Box Score

WESTMINSTER, Md. – Nick McConnell ran for 99 of Gettysburg’s 267 rushing yards, adding two touchdowns to lead his squad to a 38-9 Centennial Conference (CC) football victory at McDaniel on Saturday.
Matt Flynn, who entered the game as the CC’s leading passer at 244.8 yards per game, was held to 96 yards through the air on 11-for-21 passing.
The Green Terror (2-7, 1-6 CC) pulled within 7-6 late in the second quarter but Josh Huson hit a 47-yard field goal as the first half came to an end and the Bullets (4-5, 4-3 CC) outgained McDaniel 249-67 in the second half, including a commanding 124-44 in the third quarter.
Thomas Massucci (Tablernacle, N.J./Seneca), making his first collegiate start, hit on 14 of his 33 attempts for 150 yards with three interceptions but became the first Green Terror quarterback this season to play every down in a game.
Behind 24 of Jamel Mutunga’s 79 rushing yards and starting field position at its own 46, Gettysburg used eight plays and 3:54 to take its opening possession to the end zone for a 7-0 lead. Flynn capped the drive with an 11-yard pass to David Rodriguez.
After the two teams traded punts, Travis Wenrich (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) took the Rob Pennella punt at the Bullet 42 and returned it 30 yards to the 12-yard line.
Massucci on a pair of receivers on the ensuing possession but both were ruled out of bounds when the made the catch, forcing the Green Terror to settle for a 29-yard Jay Leonard (Westminster, Md./Westminster) field goal to trim the deficit to 7-3 with 6:18 remaining in the opening quarter.
Five punts on the next five combined possessions gave McDaniel the ball on its own 42 with 9:51 showing in the second quarter.
A mix of run and pass plays that netted no more than 12 yards on any snap contributed to an 16-play drive that consumed 8 minutes, 40 seconds – the longest the Green Terror had held the ball on any one possession all season, eclipsing the previous long of 6:40 at Catholic in Week 3.
With 4:01 on the game clock, McDaniel took a timeout facing third-and-5 at the Gettysburg 7. Out of the timeout, Massucci hit a diving Nick Giusti (Frederick, Md./Linganore) at the one-yard line to set up first-and-goal.
Three consecutive runs netted a loss of one yard, forcing a 19-yard Leonard field goal from the right hash to pull the hosts within 7-6 with 1:11 to play.
Taking over at its own 23 with 1:05 on the clock, Flynn amassed 48 of his passing yards to move the Bullets to the McDaniel 30, setting up first-and-10 with fewer than 10 ticks remaining.
After a pair of quick incomplete passes forced the Bullets – visiting Westminster on Homecoming for the second consecutive trip – to attempt a 47-yard field goal at the same end of the field they were beaten by a 48-yarder with 2.7 seconds remaining two years ago. Josh Huson did his best Leonard impression, splitting the uprights as time expired for the second longest field goal of his career. The senior’s long is a 48-yarder set against the Green Terror as a freshman.
McDaniel muffed the opening kickoff of the second half and the Bullets needed just five plays and 2:03 to cover the 26 yards, making it a 17-6 game.
A three-and-out gave the ball back to Gettysburg but Wenrich nabbed his fourth interception of the year.
An Anthony Pastore interception on the very next play off a Josh Jerrold tip gave the Bullets possession at the Green Terror 42.
After two Mutunga runs, Ricky Manigat broke off a 33-yarder down the far sideline to push the lead to 24-6 with 8:20 on the third quarter clock.
Ryan Quinlan blocked a Wenrich punt on the next McDaniel possession to give Gettysburg another short field.
Flynn scrambled left then right and found a Mutunga for a 21-yard score to cap the 1-minute, 20-second drive that covered 37 yards in three plays.
A 49-yard Massucci-to-Pat McCarrick (Myersville, Md./Middletown) connection on third-and-10 once again put the Green Terror inside the 10-yard line. McDaniel lost nine yards on three plays, settling for a third Leonard field goal. The 32-yarder pulled the hosts within 31-9 with 54.9 seconds showing.
McConnell accounted for 70 of the 90 yards on the ensuing Gettysburg possession, including a 12-yard rush for the score to set the final margin with 12:54 to play.
Terror took over with 2:30 to play.
Mike Weick (Holland, Pa./Penn Charter) reached double-figure tackles for the sixth consecutive game with 13 while Sam Cox (Towson, Md./Towson) and Paul Smith (Woodlawn, Md./Western Tech) each made 10 stops. Cox added a sack while Smith had two tackles for loss.
McDaniel concludes the season at Johns Hopkins on Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m.

Friday Afternoon News and Notes

2008-11-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

It's getting closer to game day! Here's a few previews from around the web:

First some game notes from the McDaniel Website.

The following was taken from The Centennial Conference Friday Tailgate:

Gettysburg at McDaniel
Video: No. Audio: WTTR-AM 1470. Live Stats: Yes.

The Bullets and the Green Terror meet for the 62nd time in a series that began in 1891 ... Gettysburg holds a 44-16-1 advantage in this Route 97 rivalry ... the home team has won the last six meetings in the series ... the Bullets were idle last week ... QB Matt Flynn leads the Conference in total offense (270.5) … his fourth-quarter TD pass vs. Dickinson was the 34th of his career, breaking the school mark previously held by Dennis Flaherty '01 ... WB Charles Curcio is fourth in the CC in all-purpose yards (151.2 per game) … Gettysburg leads the Conference in passing and total offense and is second in scoring offense … the Bullets are last in the CC in red zone defense, allowing points on 83.3 percent of opponents' trips inside the 20 ... DE Josh Jerrold leads the Centennial in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (10.5) … Gettysburg is last in the CC in turnover margin (-7) ... McDaniel fell to 2-6 with a 20-0 loss at Franklin & Marshall, ensuring the Terror's third straight losing season - something that has not happened on The Hill since 1987-88-89 ... LB Mike Weick has five straight double-digit tackle games and leads the CC with 12.0 per game ... this weekend is Homecoming Weekend at McDaniel, who has a 52-22-1 record in front of the alums.

And the following was taken from the Harrisburg Patriot-News:

GETTYSBURG AT McDANIEL:
Gettysburg will be away from home for its final time this season when it visits McDaniel at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Bullets (3-5, 3-3) can still salvage a .500 season with a win at McDaniel (2-6, 1-5), then a home victory over Franklin & Marshall to close regular-season play. It's been a record season for Gettysburg junior quarterback Matt Flynn, who broke the school career mark for touchdown passes; his scoring strike to sophomore Brian Betley in the 29-16 loss at Dickinson was the 15th of his career. Flynn also holds the career total offense record with 5,136 yards and needs just 98 against McDaniel to break the 5,136-yard passing mark set by Dennis Flaherty seven years ago.

Bullets to Play Road Finale at McDaniel

2008-11-05T18:54:00.000-08:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Gridders to Play Road Finale at McDaniel

Complete Game Notes

The Game
A fully-rested Gettysburg College (3-5, 3-3 CC) football team will finish up its four-week, three-game road trip on Saturday when it visits McDaniel College (2-6, 1-5 CC) during the Green Terror’s homecoming weekend. The Bullets, who were idle last week, will take on McDaniel in their first game back from their bye week for the sixth year in a row. They have gone 3-2 over that stretch.

Game Coverage
An audio broadcast of Saturday's game is available at http://www.mcdaniel.edu/athletics/pages/gtlive.shtm. The game can also be followed through live stats at http://www.mcdaniel.edu/athletics/stats/live/fb/xlive.htm.

Series Notes
Gettysburg leads McDaniel 44-16-1 in the all-time series that dates back to 1891. The two teams have swapped victories every year since 2003 and the home team has won the last six meetings.

Last Time Out
Dickinson outscored the Bullets 29-3 through the first 57 and a half minutes and the Red Devils earned a 29-16 Centennial Conference victory two weeks ago in the rain at Biddle Field. In a game that featured a combined seven turnovers, Dickinson (4-3, 3-2 CC) snapped Gettysburg’s three-game winning streak and claimed the Little Brown Bucket for the third year in a row. Sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga rushed for 117 yards on 23 carries to lead the Bullets while junior quarterback Matt Flynn broke the school record for career touchdown passes with his 15-yard strike to sophomore Brian Betley with 2:23 left.

Franklin & Marshall jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead, and it held up as the final score as McDaniel dropped a Centennial Conference decision in Lancaster. The Diplomats outgained the Green Terror by a 335-201 margin and held the visitors to 23 net yards rushing. Freshman Thomas Massucci completed 14 of 33 passes for 144 yards in his first significant action of the season for McDaniel while Matt Cahill caught four passes for 82 yards.

Record Setter
Junior quarterback Matt Flynn has broken a pair of all-time school records this season and is on the verge of setting two more. He has established Gettysburg records for career touchdown passes (34) and total offense (5,774) and needs just 98 passing yards to break Dennis Flaherty’s ’01 career mark of 5,136. He is also 25 completions shy of Flaherty’s school record of 386.

Last Season’s Game
Tom Sturges ’08 ran for a career-high 235 yards on 41 carries while Charles Curcio scored three touchdowns as the Bullets pulled away late to defeat McDaniel 38-14 in Gettysburg. The Bullets forced five turnovers and scored 24 points off McDaniel giveaways as Curcio, who finished with 133 all-purpose yards, scored on runs of 4 and 8 yards and on a 38-yard pass. The Bullets led by just a field goal (17-14) heading into the fourth quarter before Curcio scored his second touchdown of the day, hauling in a 38-yard pass with 11:37 left to make it 24-14. The Green Terror was still in it midway through the quarter before safety Brett Robinson picked off a pass at the Gettysburg-7, setting up a Curcio 8-yard touchdown run. Defensive lineman Sean Beirne clinched the victory with a 51-yard fumble recovery touchdown. Linebackers Tim Widdoes and Harold Barton ’08 led Gettysburg with 11 tackles apiece while Ryan Mellinger made 14 stops for the Green Terror.

Scouting Gettysburg
The Bullets have relied heavily on its offense this season and come into Saturday’s game leading the Centennial Conference in total offense (436.4 ypg) and pass offense (253.8 ypg). They are also second in scoring offense (29.6 ppg) and are fourth in rushing offense (182.7 ypg). Junior quarterback Matt Flynn, who ranks 19th nationally in total offense (270.5) has thrown for 1,958 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while rushing for additional 206 yards and three TDs. Three different receivers have caught over 20 passes in junior wing Ricky Manigat (31 receptions, 351 yards, 1 TD), sophomore wing Charles Curcio (28 receptions, 353 yards, 3 TDs), and sophomore receiver Gavin Jablonski (27 receptions, 412 yards). Sophomore receiver Brian Betley has added 19 catches for 363 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Jamel Mutunga and senior Nick McConnell have led the ground game, with Mutunga rushing for 577 yards and five touchdowns while McConnell has added 405 yards and six TDs. Defensively, senior defensive end Josh Jerrold has led the way with an outstanding season. Jerrold has racked up a conference-leading 8.5 sacks, a mark that is tied for 12th in Division III, and has made 11.5 tackles for loss. He is also second in the league lead with four forced fumbles. Senior linebacker Terence Hartigan is tops on the team in tackles (68) while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes and senior linebacker Dean Staley have added 61 and 57 hits, respectively. Sophomore defensive lineman Vincent Ferrante has made 3.5 sacks, and senior defensive end Conor Quinn has been responsible for 6.5 tackles for loss. The team’s primary return specialist, Curcio is averaging 151.2 all-purpose yards per game. He leads the team in scoring with seven touchdowns.

Scouting McDaniel
McDaniel has struggled to put points on the board this season and ranks eighth in the Centennial Conference in scoring offense (11.4 ppg) and ninth in total offense (223.1 ypg). The team’s ground game is led by TJ Develin, who has rushed for 463 yards and four touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry. Eric Zwilsky has added 348 yards rushing and four touchdowns, but neither player is listed on the team’s depth chart. Sophomore Raymond O’Hara (70 yards) and junior Sean Urbany (19 yards) will get the start at running back. The Terror have used four different quarterback for the season and freshman Vinny Corona is listed as the starter for Saturday. Corona, who has started four of the team’s last six games, has thrown for 268 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions on 25-of-60 passing. Junior Matt Cahill is the team’s top receiver, hauling in 18 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, McDaniel has yielded a conference-worst 183.5 rushing yards per game. Junior linebacker Mike Weick leads the team with 51 tackles, including 7.0 for loss. Junior safety Aaron Slaughter has contributed 34 tackles while junior cornerback Travis Wenrich has enjoyed a fine season, making three interceptions and seven pass breakups. Sophomore defensive lineman Mike Ford is tops on the team in sacks with 3.5. Wenrich serves triple duty, handling the team’s punting and punt return duties. He ranks second in the conference in punt-return average (10.1).

McDaniel is coached by Tim Keating, who is 98-63-3 in his 16th season with the Green Terror. He directed his team to seven Centennial Conference crowns and five straight appearances in the NCAA playoffs between 1997 and 2001. He was named the Division III Coach of the Year by American Football Quarterly magazine in 1997 after his team went 10-1 and earned a NCAA playoff berth following a 4-6 season.

McDaniel Week!

2008-11-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

Let's get back to playing some Bullets football! As we look forward to this season's final roadtrip to McDaniel I'll start by posting the McDaniel season preview as posted in the D3Football.com Kick-off edition as well as a link to this week's Centennial Conference Weekly Release.

McDaniel Green Terror

Last playoff appearance: 2001
Last year: 1-9, 1-7 CC
Last conference title: 2002
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 219
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 161
Wins increase from 06-07: Minus-3
Preseason ranking: 186 of 239
Players who started camp: 82
Head coach: Tim Keating, 15th year, 96-57-3, overall 122-80-3
Starters returning: 14 (seven offense, six defense, one specialists)

Position battle to watch: Quarterback. McDaniel lost both of its primary quarterbacks to graduation. Two juniors have the experience to replace Brad Baer and Tom Wenrich, but they will be pushed by incoming freshmen. Keating stressed that the competition will be wide open.

Pressure is on: Everyone. The Green Terror's one win in 2007 was the lowest mark since 1988. While McDaniel is still young and inexperienced, Keating hopes to see some of those youngsters develop and form a nucleus that can turn around the program.

Where did he come from? Quarterback Tom Massucci was a prospect during his junior year in South Jersey. But during the first game of his senior year, he broke his foot, ending his season. He fell off the radar and wound up with McDaniel. Keating said before the injury, Massucci may have been a scholarship player.

Their season will be defined by: The first game. McDaniel gets a new opening opponent, St. Vincent. The Bearcats' coach, Bob Colbert, was the offensive coordinator at Bridgewater, which had opened with McDaniel. Keating and Colbert are longtime friends and decided to play each other when St. Vincent had an opening on the schedule.

Predicted record: 2-8, 1-7

Capsule: Given the history of McDaniel football, it would seem that last season will be used as a rallying cry, one that this year's team will not want to repeat. While the biggest question will be at quarterback, many of the other skill players and much of the line returns, giving the Green Terror a solid foundation on which to build. If a better record is to come, however, those returners must have better production; McDaniel was last in the Centennial in total offense in 2006 -- by more than 50 yards. With six starters back, the defense is in better shape, though improvement would be helpful on that side of the ball as well.

Centennial Conference News

2008-10-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the bye week! Unless there's any breaking news to report this will be the only blog post for the week...

Congratulations to Jamel Mutunga, Terence Hartigan and Brian Betley for being selected to this week's Honor Roll for their performances in Saturday's game at Dickinson. You can read about this and other Conference news in this week's Centennial Conference Weekly Release.

Sunday News and Recaps

2008-10-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

From the Dickinson College Website:

Devils Keep Bucket, Give Breaux 100th Win
by Charlie McGuire

(Carlisle, PA)- The Dickinson College football team used a total team effort to give head coach Darwin Breaux his 100th career victory on Saturday afternoon as the Red Devils topped rival Gettysburg 29-16. Breaux holds a 100-61-1 overall record in 16 years at the helm of the Red Devils.

A heavy rain kept the scoring down early as Dickinson took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and led 10-3 at halftime. The Devils controlled the clock for the better part of the second half, putting up 16 points in the fourth quarter to keep possession of the Little Brown Bucket.

Sophomore Gordon Craig (Grove City, PA/Grove City) hit three field-goals from 21, 35 and 27 yards out. He put the Devils on the board at the 10:59 mark of the first quarter.

Josh Huson missed a pair of long attempts but converted a 37 yard field-goal to tie the game late in the first half. Pat O'Connor (Exton, PA/Downingtown East) returned the kick-off 31 yards and later finished the drive with a four yard touchdown catch to give the Devils a 10-3 lead. A.J. Reisig (Reading, PA/Reading CC) intercepted a pass to close out the half.

Craig hit a field-goal in the third and another to start the fourth, putting the Devils in front 16-3. Senior Steve Bokron (Wetherfield, CT/Loomis Chaffee) then returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown to put Dickinson in control, 22-3, with 9:30 remaining in the game.

Junior fullback Tim Wells (Baltimore, MD/Perry Hall) tacked on a seven yard scoring run with 3:57 left to play, stretching the lead to 29-3.

The Bullets kept coming as quarterback Matt Flynn drove Gettysburg 61 yards, hitting Brian Bentley with a 15 yard pass to make the score 29-9. Joe Delaney recovered a fumble and returned it 65 yards for the final of 29-16.

Junior quarterback Ian Mitchell (Newtown Square, PA/Malvern Prep) completed 14-of-23 passes for 160 yards and ran for another 66 on the day. O'Connor caught nine passes for 104 of those yards and had two kick-off returns for 40 yards.

Wells finished the day with 85 yards on 16 carries and caught a pair of passes for another 43 yards.

Senior Michael Dalton (Wilmington, DE/Wilmington Friends) led the defense with 10 tackles and a 20 yard interception return. Sophomore linebacker Kevin Wood (Westford, MA/Phillips) added nine tackles, a sack and a pass breakup while Matt Stone (Cheshire, CT/Choate) tallied eight tackles and forced a fumble. Cole Glennon (Stowe, PA/Pottsgrove) chipped in with six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble as well.

Jamel Mutunga led the Bullets with a game-high 117 yards rushing while Flynn completed 17-of-33 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown. Terence Hartigan led the defense with a game-high 12 tackles.

The Red Devils improve to 4-3 overall and 3-3 in the Centennial Conference. The are home again next Saturday, hosting nationally-ranked and unbeaten Muhlenberg College at 1:00 pm.

From The Harrisburg Patriot-News:

DIVISION III: DICKINSON 29, GETTYSBURG 16

Devils' defense holds Gettysburg in check
Sunday, October 26, 2008
BY BOB BLACK
Of The Patriot-News

CARLISLE - The changes made to Dickinson's Biddle Field since last football season were substantial.

Saturday, the primary benefactors from those changes were Dickinson and Gettysburg, the two teams playing on Biddle's artificial surface which replaced the grass.

And the group that looked most comfortable was Dickinson's defense, which held usually high-scoring Gettysburg's offense without a touchdown until the final 2:23 while the Red Devils were winning a Centennial Conference battle for The Little Brown Bucket 29-16.

"We gave our defense the game ball," said Dickinson coach Darwin Breaux, who picked up his 100th career win.

"They were steady the whole game and gave us the kind of play you need to have on a day like this."

The only thing missing from Dickinson's defense was a squeegee. Otherwise, the Red Devils mopped up everything Gettysburg tried up the middle, outside and through the air.

"That's the toughest defense we've faced all season," said Gettysburg coach Barry Streeter, whose Bullets had a three-game winning streak stopped.

Dickinson (4-3, 3-2), allowed only a 37-yard field goal to Josh Huson late in the second quarter which gave Gettysburg (3-5, 3-3) a temporary tie prior to Ian Mitchell's 4-yard touchdown pass to Pat O'Connor less than two minutes later.

"We felt it was important for the defense to step up today," said Dickinson senior cornerback Michael Dalton, who led the team in tackles with 10 and also picked off a pass by Gettysburg quarterback Matt Flynn.

"We were psyched for this game and knew that, with the playing conditions the way they were, we could play an important role in the outcome."

Also playing a significant role in what was expected to be a quarterbacks' battle was Dickinson's signal caller adding almost as much on the ground as through the air.

"We didn't want to turn the ball over and knew that our offensive line was winning the battle up front, so we didn't try to get fancy with pitch stuff going to the outside," Dickinson quarterback Ian Mitchell said.

But when Mitchell wanted to throw the ball, he had a more than capable receiver in O'Connor, who had nine catches for 104 yards, including the second-quarter touchdown.

"He's got to be the best receiver in the league," said Mitchell. "Any time I get the ball near him, I know he's going to bring it down."

After Dickinson increased its 10-3 halftime lead on a 35-yard Gordon Craig field goal midway through the third quarter, and another 27-yarder early in the fourth, Steve Bokron scored what amounted to the game-breaker on a 54-yard fumble return just two minutes later.

Tim Wells added a 7-yard TD run for Dickinson with just 3:57 remaining, then Flynn hit a 15-yard scoring pass to Brian Betley and Joe Delaney ran 70 yards with a fumble recovery against Dickinson's backups.

From The Carlisle Sentinel:

Breaux gets 100th career win as Dickinson drops Gettysburg
October 26, 2008
Last updated: Sunday, October 26, 2008 8:08 AM EDT

The Dickinson College football team used a total team effort to give head coach Darwin Breaux his 100th career victory on Saturday afternoon as the Red Devils topped rival Gettysburg, 29-16 at Biddle Field.

Breaux holds a 100-61-1 overall record in 16 years at the helm of the Red Devils.

A heavy rain kept the scoring down early as Dickinson took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and led 10-3 at halftime. The Devils controlled the clock for the better part of the second half, putting up 16 points in the fourth quarter to keep possession of the Little Brown Bucket.

Sophomore place kicker Gordon Craig hit three field-goals from 21, 35 and 27 yards out. He put the Devils on the board at the 10:59 mark of the first quarter.

Josh Huson missed a pair of long attempts but converted a 37 yard field-goal to tie the game late in the first half. Pat O’Connor returned the kickoff 31 yards and later finished the drive with a four yard touchdown catch to give the Devils a 10-3 lead. A.J. Reisig intercepted a pass to close out the half.

Craig hit a field-goal in the third and another to start the fourth, putting the Devils in front, 16-3. Senior Steve Bokron then returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown to put Dickinson in control, 22-3, with 9:30 remaining in the game.

Junior fullback Tim Wells tacked on a seven yard scoring run with 3:57 left to play, stretching the lead to 29-3.

The Bullets kept coming as quarterback Matt Flynn drove Gettysburg 61 yards, hitting Brian Bentley with a 15 yard pass to make the score 29-9. Joe Delaney recovered a fumble and returned it 65 yards for the final of 29-16.

Junior quarterback Ian Mitchell completed 14-of-23 passes for 160 yards and ran for another 66 on the day. O’Connor caught nine passes for 104 yards and had two kickoff returns for 40 yards.

Wells finished the day with 85 yards on 16 carries and caught a pair of passes for another 43 yards.

Senior Michael Dalton led the defense with 10 tackles and a 20 yard interception return. Sophomore linebacker Kevin Wood added nine tackles, a sack and a pass breakup while Matt Stone tallied eight tackles and forced a fumble. Cole Glennon chipped in with six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble as well.

Jamel Mutunga led the Bullets with a game-high 117 yards rushing while Flynn completed 17-of-33 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown. Terence Hartigan led the defense with a game-high 12 tackles.

The Red Devils improve to 4-3 overall and 3-3 in the Centennial Conference. They are home again next Saturday, hosting nationally-ranked and unbeaten Muhlenberg College at 1 p.m.

Dickinson Tops Bullets in Rain, 29-16

2008-10-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Dickinson Tops Football in Rain, 29-16

Box Score

CARLISLE, Pa. – Dickinson outscored the Bullets 29-3 through the first 57 and a half minutes and the Red Devils earned a 29-16 Centennial Conference victory in a sloppy game on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Biddle Field.

In a game that featured a combined seven turnovers, Dickinson (4-3, 3-2 CC) snapped Gettysburg’s three-game winning streak and claimed the Little Brown Bucket for the third year in a row.

Sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) rushed for 117 yards on 23 carries to lead the Bullets (3-5, 3-3 CC).

Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) with 2:23 left in the game to become Gettysburg’s career touchdown pass leader. Flynn, who threw for 189 yards and one touchdown and two interceptions, now has 34 career TDs, one more than Dennis Flaherty ’01 threw from 1997-2000. He also went over 5,000 passing yards for his career and is now just 97 yards shy of Flaherty’s school record of 5,136 yards.

Betley finished with 76 yards and one touchdown on three receptions while sophomore receiver Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) had five catches for 45 yards.

Ian Mitchell passed for 160 yards and one touchdown while rushing for an additional 66 yards and to lead Dickinson. He completed nine passes for 104 yards and one touchdown to receiver Pat O’Connor. Gordon Craig went 3-for-3 on field goals for the Red Devils and finished with 11 points.

The win marked Dickinson head coach Darwin Breaux’s 100th career victory.

Missed opportunities plagued the Bullets, who drove inside the Dickinson-31 on six of their first nine drives but came away with only three points due to a fumble, two interceptions, two missed field goals, and a turnover on downs.

The Red Devils never trailed after Craig kicked a 21-yard field goal on the game’s opening drive. The Bullets went three-and-out on their opening possession but Betley, punting for the first time since the season opener, pinned Dickinson at its own 10-yard line with a 35-yard punt.

Playing through a steady rain, Gettysburg received excellent field after the Devils went three-and-out, starting at the Dickinson-45. But on the fifth play of their second drive, Mutunga had the ball stripped and Dickinson recovered at its own 20. The Red Devils were unable to capitalize however, turning the ball over on downs at the Gettysburg-17 with 2:53 left in the opening quarter.

After the Bullets went three-and-out on their third drive, Betley boomed a 65-yard punt to the Dickinson 25-yard line. Two plays later, sophomore safety Nick Duerr (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township) snatched an overthrown ball over the middle and returned it 12 yards to the Dickinson-25 just before the end of the quarter. The Bullets were unable to pick up a first down, however, and an illegal block pushed them back to the Red Devil-28. Senior Josh Huson then pushed a 45-yard field goal wide right, and the score remained 3-0 with 14:11 left in the half.

The Bullets had another scoring opportunity after junior defensive tackle Sebastian Sullivan (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) recovered a fumble at the Gettysburg-43 on the ensuing drive. Mutunga, who racked up 102 rushing yards in the opening half, had a pair of big runs as Gettysburg advanced to the Dickinson-25. However, that’s where the drive ended, and Huson had a 42-yard field goal attempt bounce off the crossbar.

Gettysburg finally broke through late in the half, when it put together a 10-play, 56-yard drive resulting in a 37-yard Huson field goal, his long of the season, with 3:15 on the clock. The march was highlighted by a 42-yard Flynn-to-Betley pass that set up the Bullets at the Red Devil-22.

A costly Gettysburg personal foul penalty on Huson’s field goal helped set up a Dickinson touchdown drive just before the end of the half. Huson was forced to kick off from the 15-yard line, and a 31-yard O’Connor return set up the Devils at the Bullet-39. Five plays later, Michell tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to O’Connor, who came down with the ball just inside the right side of the end zone to give Dickinson a 10-3 halftime lead.

The rain dissipated slightly in the second half, and on the opening drive Gettysburg drove to the Dickinson-28 before turning it over on downs. Craig booted a 35-yard field goal on the ensuing possession to give his team a 13-3 lead with 7:31 left in the third quarter. Once again the Bullets answered by drove into Red Devil territory, but this time Flynn was intercepted on a fourth-and-4 at the Dickinson-36.

Dickinson scored twice early in the third quarter, as Craig kicked a 27-yard field goal before Steve Bokron returned a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown on the fourth play of the ensuing drive to make it 22-3 with 9:30 left.

Gettysburg turned it over on downs on its next two possessions, the second of which gave the Red Devils the ball at their own 30. Two plays later, Tim Wells ran in from 7 yards as Dickinson’s lead swelled to 29-3. The Bullets narrowed the margin following Flynn’s late touchdown pass before sophomore safety Joe Delaney (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown with 1:19 remaining to set the final score.

Senior linebacker Terrence Hartigan (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) posted 12 tackles and once forced fumble to lead the Bullet defense while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) made 11 hits and also forced a fumble. Sullivan tied a season-high with nine tackles.

Gettysburg takes its bye week before visiting McDaniel College in another Centennial Conference tilt on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.

Friday Pre-Game News

2008-10-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

From the Centennial Conference Friday Tailgate:

Gettysburg at Dickinson
Radio: WDCV-FM 88.3.
Live Stats: No.

It's the annual battle for the Little Brown Bucket, which was first presented in 1938 by trustees of the two schools. Saturday’s game will mark the 74th meeting between the two schools, with Gettysburg holding a 40-31-2 lead in the all-time series that dates back to 1892. The Red Devils have won the last two meetings and 11 of the last 12. With his team’s victory over Juniata, Gettysburg coach Barry Streeter picked up his 150th career victory. Streeter, who becomes the 32nd Division III football coach to reach the plateau, currently ranks 11th among active Division III coaches in victories. Dickinson coach Darwin Breaux is 99-61-1 in 16 seasons in Carlisle. Gettysburg QB Matt Flynn is 286 yards shy (4,850) of the school's career passing yardage record. Dickinson WR Pat O'Connor tied his own school record with 12 receptions vs. Hopkins for a Dickinson single-game mark of 248 yards. O'Connor amassed a school-record 396 all-purpose yards – the second-highest total in Conference history - and set a school single-season record for yards receiving (826). After running for over 200 yards in each of its first four games, Dickinson has been held under that number in its last two, including just 119 vs. Hopkins

Bullets, Red Devils to Square Off in CC Match-up

2008-10-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Bullets, Red Devils to Square Off in CC Match-up

Complete Game Notes

The Game
After picking up their first road victory of the season and winning their third consecutive game, the Bullets (3-4, 3-2 CC) visit Dickinson College (3-3, 2-2 CC) in another Centennial Conference showdown. The two teams will play for rights to the Little Brown Bucket, which was first presented in 1938 by trustees of the two schools. Gettysburg currently finds itself locked in a three-way tie with Johns Hopkins and Moravian for second place in the conference standings, trailing Muhlenberg for first place by a game and a half.

Game Coverage
Saturday's game will be broadcast by Dickinson's student radio station, WDCV-FM 88.3, at http://alpha.dickinson.edu/storg/wdcv.

Series Notes
Saturday’s game will mark the 74th meeting between the two schools, with Gettysburg holding a 40-31-2 lead in the all-time series that dates back to 1892. The Red Devils have won the last two meetings and 11 of the last 12.

Last Time Out
Senior Nick McConnell rushed for a career-high 149 yards, none bigger than his game-clinching 53-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left, as Gettysburg rallied from a 14-7 fourth-quarter deficit to defeat host Juniata College 24-20 in a Centennial Conference tilt Saturday this past Saturday. The Bullets overcame 11 penalties for 90 yards, and junior quarterback Matt Flynn threw for 165 yards on 11-of-24 passing while rushing for additional 57 yards and one TD. Sophomore wing Charles Curcio caught six passes for a career-high 94 yards. Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold had a big defensive game for the Bullets, blocking a field goal, breaking up two passes, and forcing a fumble on a sack. Junior linebacker Tim Widdoes added nine tackles and had a key fumble recovery late in the game while senior linebacker Dean Staley also made nine tackles. Leading 17-14, the Bullets took over at their own 47-yard line with 2:03 left after the Eagles turned the ball over on downs. Two plays later, McConnell blasted up the middle and outraced several defenders into the end zone as the Bullets pushed their lead to 24-14.

Dickinson is coming off a bye week, but dropped a 36-34 decision at Johns Hopkins on Friday, Oct. 10. The Blue Jays raced out to a 33-0 third-quarter lead before the Red Devils came roaring back with 34 points over the final 17 minutes. Junior quarterback Ian Mitchell led the comeback for Dickinson, throwing four touchdown passes and running for another score. After the Devils scored 28 unanswered points to pull to within 33-28, Alex Lachman kicked a crucial 46-yard field goal for Hopkins with 2:59 left. Mitchell proceeded to drive his team 70 yards on seven plays, culminating in a 58-yard touchdown pass to Pat O’Connor, but a two-point conversion pass failed and the Blue Jays recovered the ensuing onside kick. Mitchell finished with 323 yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-40 passing while O’Connor caught 12 passes for 248 yards and three TDs. He also returned six kickoffs for 137 yards and amassed a school-record 396 all-purpose yards.

150 and Counting
With his team’s victory over Juniata this past Saturday, Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter picked up his 150th career victory. Streeter, who becomes the 32nd Division III football coach to reach the plateau, currently ranks 11th among active Division III coaches in victories. The following are Streeter’s milestone wins:

1. Sept. 16, 1978 - 17-16 at Lebanon Valley
25. Oct. 9, 1982 - 17-10 vs. Widener
50. Oct. 12, 1985 - 23-2 at Merchant Marine
75. Sept. 16, 1989 - 62-20 vs. Western Maryland
100. Nov. 12, 1994 - 52-20 vs. Franklin & Marshall
105. Oct. 21, 1995 - 28-16 vs. Muhlenberg*
125. Sept. 28, 2002 - 45-10 vs. Averett
150. Oct. 18, 2008 - 24-20 at Juniata

* Set school record with 105th coaching victory

Streeter, now in his 30th season at Gettysburg, is the program’s all-time wins leader, owning a career record of 150-146-5. He also holds the Centennial Conference record for coaching victories with a career mark of 83-83-3.

Comeback Kids
The Bullets used their second fourth-quarter comeback in as many weeks to pick up their third straight victory last week. Gettysburg trailed 14-7 against Juniata with less than eight minutes left before reeling off 17 unanswered points. The week before, the Bullets trailed Moravian 38-34 at the start of the fourth quarter before pulling away with a 14-0 run.

Record Setter
Junior quarterback Matt Flynn set or tied a pair of school records against Moravian on Oct. 11. He surpassed the former all-purpose yards record of 5,205 held by All-America tailback Paul Smith ’00, and he also tied the Gettysburg record for career touchdown passes with his 33rd scoring strike, tying the mark set by Dennis Flaherty ’01. Flynn can break Flaherty’s TD record with his next touchdown pass, and he can also break Flaherty’s career passing yardage school record of 5,136 with 287 more yards.

Hitting the Century Mark
Senior kicker Josh Huson booted his 100th career extra point in Gettysburg’s win over Moravian on Oct. 11, becoming just the second player in school history to reach the milestone. Huson, who now has 108 PATs, trails only Jim Flynn ’86, who kicked 124 from 1982-85.

Last Season’s Game
Dickinson scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to break open a close game and come away with a 42-28 Centennial Conference victory over host Gettysburg. Quarterback Ian Mitchell led Dickinson with 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns while completing 11 of 18 passes for 113 yards and an additional touchdown. Tailback Tom Sturges ’08 rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries to lead Gettysburg. The first half lived up to its billing as a marquee match-up between two of the top teams in the Centennial, with the Red Devils using a late touchdown drive to assume a 14-10 halftime advantage. Josh Huson drilled a 35-yard field with 11:24 left in the third quarter to pull the Bullets to within one before a pair of special teams plays sparked Dickinson’s run. Ryan Heinig got things going for the Devils, blocking a punt at around the 20-yard line. The ball dribbled just in front of the end zone, where Michael Dalton scooped it up and fell past the goal line for the touchdown, making it 21-13 with 7:29 on the third-quarter clock. Dickinson then forced Gettysburg to go three-and-out, and Chris McInerney returned a punt 51 yards for a touchdown with 5:53 left in the quarter as Dickinson assumed a 28-13 lead. Dickinson added another touchdown in the fourth quarter before the Bullets shortened the gap with a pair of late TDs.

Scouting Gettysburg
The Bullets enter Saturday’s game ranked among the Centennial Conference and Division III leaders in numerous offensive categories. They lead the conference in total offense (451.6), passing offense (263.0), first downs (155), and rushing touchdowns (18). The Bullets also rank second in the conference in scoring offense (31.6 ppg) and fourth in rushing offense (188.6). They are 13th nationally in total offense, 32nd in passing offense, 46th in scoring offense, and 48th in rushing offense. Junior quarterback Matt Flynn, who ranks 17th nationally in total offense (282.1) has thrown for 1,769 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for additional 206 yards and three TDs. Three different receivers have caught over 20 passes in junior wing Ricky Manigat (29 receptions, 329 yards, 1 TD), sophomore wing Charles Curcio (25 receptions, 325 yards, 3 TDs), and sophomore receiver Gavin Jablonski (22 receptions, 367 yards). Sophomore receiver Brian Betley has added 16 catches for 287 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sophomore Jamel Mutunga and senior Nick McConnell have led a running game that is averaging 188.6 yards per game. Mutunga has run for 460 yards and five touchdowns while McConnell has added 389 yards and six TDs. Defensively, the Bullets rank third in the Centennial Conference in sacks (15), with senior defensive end Josh Jerrold leading the way. Jerrold has racked up a conference-leading 7.5 sacks, a mark that ranks 19th in Division III, and has made 9.5 tackles for loss, and he also leads the league with four forced fumbles. Senior linebacker Terence Hartigan is tops on the team in tackles (56) while senior linebacker Dean Staley and freshman safety Joe Delaney have contributed 50 tackles apiece. Sophomore defensive lineman Vincent Ferrante has made 3.5 sacks, and senior defensive end Conor Quinn has been responsible for 6.5 tackles for loss. The team’s primary return specialist, Curcio is averaging 157.1 all-purpose yards per game. He leads the team in scoring with seven touchdowns and ranks third in the Centennial Conference with his 24.7-yard kick-return average.

Scouting Dickinson
The Red Devils are looking to stay perfect at home after winning their first three games at Biddle Field this season. On the road, Dickinson is 0-3. The team is led by junior quarterback Ian Mitchell, who ranks second behind Gettysburg’s Matt Flynn for the conference lead in total offense, averaging 248.2 yards per game. Mitchell has passed for 1,134 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing six interceptions, and he has rushed for 355 yards and three TDs. Junior receiver Pat O’Connor is averaging a conference-best 7.0 receptions per game and has totaled 578 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 35 catches. He is also the team’s primary return specialist and ranks third in the conference in all-purpose yards (164.2 ypg). The Red Devils rank third in the Centennial Conference in rushing offense (211.3 ypg), with sophomore tailback Greg Lord rushing for 468 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, senior linebacker Ben Hargrave leads the Centennial Conference in tackles (70) while 6.5 of senior defensive tackle Tredell Johns’ 35 tackles have been for loss. Johns leads the team with 3.5 sacks, and junior cornerback Matt Destefano has made a Centennial-leading seven pass breakups.

Dickinson is coached by Darwin Breaux, who is 99-61-1 in his 16th season with the Red Devils. He is the program’s all-time winningest coach and has guided the Devils into post-season play five times, leading the team to the 2007 ECAC Southeast Championship and the NCAA playoffs in 2006.

Dickinson Week!

2008-10-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

It's time to start the previews for this Saturday's "Little Brown Bucket" game at Dickinson.

For starters here's the Dickinson College season preview as published in D3Football.com's Kick-off Edition:

Dickinson Red Devils

Last playoff appearance: 2006
Last year: 9-2, 6-2 CC
Last conference title: 2006
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 116
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 108
Wins increase from 06-07: Plus-1
Preseason ranking: 52 of 239
Players who started camp: 90
Head coach: Darwin Breaux, 16th year, 96-58-1
Starters returning: 11 (six offense, four defense, one specialists)

Position battle to watch: Along the offensive line. The Red Devils return three starters, but among the losses is first-team All-Conference pick Erik Frain. Center should be safe with Andrew Ciukurescu, and Andrew Abbate and Eric Angerstein are the other returners. Besides finding two new starters, Breaux also hopes to sort out the second team, building depth there.

Pressure is on: The new linebackers. Dickinson lost two of its three starters, making senior Ben Hargrave the lone returner. The key loss is Eric Dube, a two-time Centennial Defensive Player of the Year. In 2007, Dickinson ranked second in the conference run defense. Breaux is waiting to see what shakes out from camp, as the Red Devils began later than most other conference teams.

Where did he come from? Backup running back Tim Wells came through for the Red Devils in their ECAC win over Waynesburg, scoring two touchdowns, including the only one in overtime. Wells is expected to return, as is Tim Smith, the top running back in 2007.

Their season will be defined by: The first conference game against Franklin and Marshall, in a culmination of history. As usual, the teams will battle for the Conestoga Wagon, which goes to the winner in the rivalry. But more is at stake than a trophy: The game will be played on Friday night, the first night game in Dickinson's history. It will also be the 100th game against the Diplomats and the 1,000th game in school history.

Predicted record: 6-4, 5-3

Capsule: Dickinson was a solid pick to finish second behind Muhlenberg in the preseason coaches' poll. Besides filling a few holes and building depth up front, it's important to find a new starter at cornerback. That may help the Red Devils improve their pass defense as a whole, which ranked last in the conference in 2007. The run defense, however, was solid; though Dickinson's defense will have a different look without Dube, who was the first player in seven seasons to win back-to-back player of the year awards.

Centennial Conference News

2008-10-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Nick McConnell and Tim Widdoes on being named to the Conference Honor Roll for their contributions to Saturday's win over Juniata!

You can read this as well as a preview to this week's game at Dickinson in this week's Centennial Conference Weekly Release.

Sunday News from Around the Web

2008-10-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Recaps of Saturday's win from around the Web...

First from the Juniata College Website:

Juniata football comeback falls short of the mark in 24-20 loss to Gettysburg
(Posted on October 18, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- A furious fourth-quarter Juniata College rally came up just shy of the goal as Gettysburg College escaped Knox Stadium with a 24-20 win over the Eagles, in Centennial Conference football action on Saturday afternoon in Huntingdon, Pa.

Trailing 24-14 in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, senior quarterback Jay Leonard (Newville, Pa./Big Spring) engineered a seven-play, 59-yard scoring drive that was capped by a one-yard touchdown rush that cut the Gettysburg lead to 24-20 with 1:08 remaining in the fourth quarter. The drive began with 10-yard and nine-yard completions to senior receiver Chad Steiner (Frederick, Md./Frederick), and was aided by Leonard's 15-yard rush that put the ball on the Bullet one-yard line and set-up the score.

However Juniata's extra-point attempt was blocked and the ensuing on-side kick attempt was smothered by Gettysburg's Brian Betley, allowing the Bullets to take a knee three times and end the game.

Gettysburg College took its first lead of the game through a 17-point rally of its own in the fourth quarter, erasing a seven-point Juniata lead heading into the final frame. The Juniata defense had kept a high scoring Gettysburg offense in check most of the game, holding the Bullets scoreless in the first half for just the third time this season. Gettysburg accumulated 431 yards of total offense, however 187 yards of that was in the final quarter.

Offensively, Juniata (1-6, 1-4 Centennial) tallied 230 yards of offense, led by Leonard's 19-of-39 passing for 157 yards with two touchdowns. Junior wideout Matt Dunker (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) was Leonard's top target, hauling in six catches for 57 yards with one TD. Fullback Ryan Blanchette (Westminster, Md./Francis Scott Key), who had five receptions all season heading into the game, doubled his total for the season with five catches for 38 yards.

Sophomore tailback Kyle McKechnie (Shillington, Pa./Gov. Mifflin) led the Juniata ground game with 16 carries for 36 yards, while Leonard added another 28 yards rushing.

Neither team was able to take advantage of its first quarter scoring opportunities. Juniata had a 35-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Thomas (Coalport, Pa./Glendale) blocked at the line by Bullet lineman Josh Jerrold at the 7:27 mark of the quarter, while Gettysburg's 30-yard attempt by Josh Huson sailed right of the right upright with 1:10 left in the opening frame.

Juniata broke the deadlock with 5:49 remaining in the second quarter, when Leonard hooked up with Lance Curry for a one-yard touchdown pass. The score capped a seven-play, 67-yard drive that lasted 7:43 - Junaita's most time-consuming scoring drive yet this season. A five-yard rush by McKechnie on fourth-and-one at the Gettysburg 43 kept the drive moving, and a defensive pass interference call on Steiner's attempted touchdown catch in the endzone put the Eagles on the Bullet one-yard line with first-and-goal.

Gettysburg drove to the Juniata three-yard line on its subsequent possession, but a holding call on the Bullets brought the ball back out to the 13-yard line. The Eagle defense held the Bullets to a net gain of two yards, forcing Gettysburg to settle for a 28-yard field goal attempt - which was blocked at the middle of the Juniata line.

The Bullets finally got on the scoreboard at the 10:25 mark of the third quarter, on Nick McConnell's one-yard TD rush to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive. The drive was aided by a Juniata pass interference penalty in the endzone, which set up Gettysburg with a first-and-10 on the Eagle 15-yard line.

Juniata took advantage of a short field opportunity later in the third quarter, when the Eagles pinned Gettysburg inside its own five-yard line and forced the Bullets to punt. The Eagles regained possession at the Gettysburg 32, and ended the drive nearly three-and-a-half minutes later when Leonard hit Dunker for a two-yard touchdown pass. The score put the Eagles in front 14-7, with 3:26 left in the frame.

Gettysburg fumbled the ensuing kickoff at the Juniata 44-yard line, with Andy Miller (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) coming up with the ball to return possession to the Eagles. The Juniata drive reached the Gettysburg 31-yard line when a holding call on the Eagles forced the Blue and Gold back to the Bullets' 41-yard line with a second-and-21. Juniata was eventually forced to punt on the first play of the fourth quarter, but still held a 14-7 lead.

The Bullets eventually knotted the game at 14-14 with 7:55 to play in the game, when Matt Flynn scored on a third-and-goal from the Juniata one-yard line after Nick McConnell's two previous rushing attempts had failed to break the plane.

Brandon Spayd (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) fumbled the ensuing return at the Juniata 30, and eight plays later the Bullets took a 17-14 lead on Huson's 21-yard field goal.

Juniata's next drive began with an 11-yard Leonard-to-Dunker pass play, but stalled following McKechnie's four-yard rush and a pair of incomplete pass attempts to Curry and Dunker. Gettysburg regained possession on downs at its own 47-yard line, and on the second play from scrimmage scored on McConnell's 53-yard touchdown run that widened the Bullet lead to 24-14 with 1:48 on the clock.

A 26-yard return by Spayd allowed Juniata to start at its own 41-yard line, setting the stage for the Eagles' comeback attempt.

Defensively, Juniata was let by Tyler Hall (Alexandria, Pa./Juniata Valley) and Josh Roy (Fredericksburg, Pa./Northern Lebanon) with 11 tackles each. Hall recorded 2.5 tackles for loss for eight yards, while had one TFL for two yards. Defensive lineman Matt Walton (West Chester, Pa./Downingtown) had 10 tackles with one sack for five yards.

Juniata remains at home next Saturday, when it hosts Moravian College at 1:00 p.m. at Knox Stadium.

From the Altoona Mirror:

Bullets score 17 in 4th for win
POSTED: October 19, 2008

By Jeff Gill, sports@altoonamirror.com

HUNTINGDON - For three quarters, it looked as if Juniata College was going to hang a loss on the Bullets of Gettysburg College Saturday at Knox Stadium.

However, the Bullets scored 17 straight points in the fourth quarter to erase a 14-7 deficit en route to a 24-20 victory.

The Eagles' defense was in the spotlight in the first half, holding the Bullets scoreless.

On the Bullets' opening drive, running back Jamel Mutunga's pass was intercepted by Andy Miller at the Juniata 35. Miller returned the interception back to the Gettysburg 33. However, the Eagles' offense was unable to capitalize on the turnover, turning the ball over on downs.

Juniata looked as if it was going to score first when Tyler Thomas attempted a 35-yard field goal, but the Bullets' Josh Jerrold blocked it. The Bullets later attempted a 30-yard field goal by Josh Huson, but his kick sailed wide right.

After the teams exchanged punts, the Eagles finally scored. Starting from their 33, the Eagles used 7:43 off the clock for the touchdown. Quarterback Jay Leonard connected with Lance Curry on a 1-yard scoring toss with 5:49 left in the half for what turned turned out to be a 7-0 halftime lead.

"I think we played good on offense," Juniata coach Darrell Alt said. "I think when you play a great team like Gettysburg, you have to play four quarters, and unfortunately we did not do that."

The Bullets tied the score at 7 on their opening possession of the third quarter. Gettysburg traveled 75 yards in seven plays, scoring on a Nick McConnell 1-yard run with 10:25 left in the quarter.

The Eagles' next score came when Leonard connected with Matt Dunker on a 2-yard scoring strike to retake the lead with 3:26 left in the third period. Juniata needed just seven plays and 3:21 off the clock to take a 14-7 lead.

The Bullets, however, proved to be too strong for most of the final quarter, scoring three times. The first score came when quarterback Matt Flynn lunged into the end zone from 1 yard out with 7:55 left in the contest to tie it at 14-all.

On the kickoff, Juniata's Brandon Spayd fumbled and the Bullets got the ball back. Gettysburg used a 21-yard field goal from Huson to take a 17-14 lead with a little more than 4:32 left in the game. The Eagles went four and out on their next series, and Gettysburg sealed the win when McConnell scored on a 53-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left.

Down 24-14, Leonard scored from 1 yard out with 1:08 to go, and the PAT kick was blocked. Juniata tried an onsides kick but did not recover, setting the final score at 24-20.

"We are a better football team than what our record shows," Alt said.

Juniata hosts Moravian next week.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune:

Gettysburg 24, Juniata 20

Gettysburg's Nick McConnell rushed for a career-high 146 yards, including a game-clinching 53-yard touchdown run with 1:48 remaining, and the Bullets (3-4, 3-2) rallied from a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit and held off host Juniata (1-6, 1-4) in a Centennial Conference game.

McConnell Caps Comeback at Juniata as Streeter Wins 150th

2008-10-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

McConnell Caps Comeback at Juniata as Streeter Wins 150th

Box Score

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Senior Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) rushed for a career-high 146 yards, none bigger than his game-clinching 53-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left, as Gettysburg rallied from a 14-7 fourth-quarter deficit to defeat host Juniata College 24-20 in a Centennial Conference tilt Saturday afternoon at a chilly Knox Stadium.

With the win, Gettysburg’s third in a row, head coach Barry Streeter picked up his 150th career victory.

The Bullets (3-4, 3-2 CC), who overcame 11 penalties for 90 yards, moved into a tie with Moravian College for second place in the conference standings.

Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) threw for 165 yards on 11-of-24 passing while rushing for additional 57 yards and one TD. He continues to share Gettysburg’s career touchdown record pass record of 33 and is now 286 yards shy of the school’s all-time passing yards record of 5,136. Sophomore wing Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) caught six passes for a career-high 94 yards.

Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./East Pennsbury) had a big defensive game for the Bullets, blocking a field goal, breaking up two passes, and forcing a fumble on a sack. Junior linebacker Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) added nine tackles and had a key fumble recovery late in the game while senior linebacker Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) also made nine tackles.

Jay Leonard threw for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 19-of-39 and two touchdowns for the Eagles.

Leading 17-14, the Bullets took over at their own 47-yard line with 2:03 left after the Eagles turned the ball over on downs. Two plays later, McConnell blasted up the middle and outraced several defenders into the end zone as the Bullets pushed their lead to 24-14.

Juniata (1-6, 1-4 CC) came back with a seven-play, 59-yard scoring drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Leonard with 1:08 showing. But the extra point was blocked by sophomore safety John Dickerson (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional), and sophomore Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) corralled the onside kick, allowing the Bullets to run out the rest of the clock.

It was the second straight fourth-quarter comeback for the Bullets, who also rallied from a 38-34 deficit in their 48-41 win over Moravian last week.

McConnell recorded his first collegiate 100-yard rushing game. His career-high coming into the game was 73 yards.

Juniata threatened on its first two drives of the game after receiving excellent field position on both possessions, but Jerrold single-handedly snuffed out both threats. After the Eagles Andy Miller returned an interception 32 yards to the Gettysburg-33, the Eagles went four-and-out, with Jerrold batting down a pass at the line of scrimmage to give his team the ball on downs.

After the Bullets went three-and-out on their second drive, Brandon Spayd returned a punt 32 yards to the Gettysburg-33. But the drive stalled at the Bullet-17, and Jerrold came through again, getting a hand on a 34-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter.

Gettysburg’s offense found some life on its third drive, moving 67 yards to the Juniata-13. But a 30-yard field goal attempt by senior Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) sailed wide left.

The two teams then traded punts before the Eagles put together a 15-play, 67-yard drive. Juniata converted two third downs and one fourth down along the way before receiving a first-and-goal at the Bullet-2 following a pass interference penalty in the end zone. After Leonard was stopped on consecutive quarterback keepers, he found a wide-open Lance Curry in the middle of the end zone for a 1-yard TD pass, giving the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 5:49 to go in the opening half.

The Bullets started their final two drives of the half with favorable field position, but failed to score on both occasions. After a short kickoff and a 16-yard return from McConnell, a five-yard Juniata offsides penalty put Gettysburg at its own 49. Five plays later, Flynn burst own the left side of the field for a 24-yard, first-down run on a third-and-22, putting the Bullets at the Juniata-6. Sophomore Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) sprinted just inside the right pylon on the next play, but a holding penalty erased the TD, and four plays later Huson had his 28-yard field goal blocked with 2:03 on the clock.

The Gettysburg defense dug in once again, forcing a three-and-out and receiving the ball at the Eagle-18 after a shanked punt. But after a pair of short runs sandwiched around a 7-yard pass, the Bullets went for it on fourth-and-4, and Flynn’s pass over the middle was broken up. Juniata then took a knee to run off the final 29 seconds of the half.

In the second half, the Bullets finally finished off a drive, going 75 yards on seven plays before scoring on a McConnell 1-yard touchdown plunge. A 22-yard run by Curcio gave Gettysburg the ball at midfield, and a 23-yard pass from Flynn to sophomore Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) moved the Bullets to the Eagle-25. Two plays later, Juniata was called for pass interference in the end zone, and Gettysburg received the ball at the 15-yard line. Flynn then rushed for 14 yards to within inches of the goal line before McConnell’s score with 10:25 left in the third quarter. Huson’s extra point made it a 7-7 game.

The teams exchanged punts before the Eagles went back in front following a short drive. After receiving the ball on a punt at the Gettysburg-32, Juniata needed just seven plays to find the end zone, with Leonard hitting Matt Dunker for a 2-yard touchdown pass, putting Juniata on top 14-7 with 3:26 left in the third quarter.

Gettysburg gave Juniata the ball right back on the first play of the ensuing drive, as junior wing Michael McInerney (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) had the ball stripped at the end of a 10-yard run, and the Eagles fell on it at the Juniata-46. However, the Eagles were unable to capitalize, as the Bullets forced a punt on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Bullets tied it up midway through the fourth quarter, when Flynn scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper with 7:55 left. After Gettysburg forced a second straight Juniata punt, McConnell broke off a 31-yard run to give his team a first down at the Eagle-11, and Flynn scored five plays later on a third-and-goal.

On the ensuing kickoff, Juniata’s Brandon Spayd dropped the ball at the Eagle-30, where Widdoes fell on it to come up with his career fumble recovery. After driving 25 yards on eight plays, the Bullets took the lead for good when Huson drilled through a 21-yard field goal with 4:32 remaining, putting Gettysburg up 17-14.

Juniata turned the ball over on downs on its next possession before McConnell’s big run.

Gettysburg out-gained the Eagles 431-230 for the game and held the Eagles to 73 yards rushing on 33 carries.

The Bullets return to action next Saturday, when they visit Dickinson College in another Centennial Conference match-up starting at 1 p.m.

Happy Friday!

2008-10-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share a few links of interest on this beautiful Friday afternoon!

First, check out Juniata College's Coach Alt's weekly Podcast for his thoughts on Saturday's game.

Then be sure to check out The Centennial Conference's Friday Tailgate, where you can read about this weekend's games, including the following:

Gettysburg at Juniata
Radio: WKVR-FM 92.3.
Live Stats: Yes.

The Bullets and the Eagles meet for the 23rd time in a series that began in 1923. Gettysburg is 10th in the nation in total offense (455.0) behind high-flying QB Matt Flynn. He tied the school career mark for TD passes (33) and shattered the G-burg record for total offense (5,363) last week. Flyn is 14th in DIII in total offense (292.17). Charles Curcio amassed 295 all-purpose yards against Moravian, including a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Juniata's "Black Flag" defense is allowing just 293.83 yards per game. KR Brandon Spayd accounted for the Eagles' lone points vs. Muhlenberg with a 90-yard kickoff return. He is 17th nationally with a 28.11 average. Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter can win his 150th career game today. He has a 149-146-5 career record.

As well as the following from The Harrisburg Patriot-News:

GETTYSBURG AT JUNIATA:
After losing their first four games, the Bullets (2-4, 2-2) will attempt to win their third straight game with a Saturday visit to Juniata (1-5, 1-3) for a 1 p.m. game. Gettysburg junior quarterback Matt Flynn totaled 326 offensive yards in last weekend's 48-41 Centennial Conference win over Moravian. That gave him a school record of 5,363 career total yards, which he picked up in coach Barry Streeter's 300th game. Flynn also tied the career touchdown record of 33 when he had two of them against Moravian. Despite throwing for 1,002 yards this season for Juniata, senior quarterback Jay Leonard (Big Spring) has just one TD pass and has been intercepted seven times.

Finally, I want to thank my son Nick for sending me the link to the following story. How many of our son's also love football enough to lose a finger so they don't lose out on their final collegiate games!

Enjoy this story by Rick Reilly from the ESPN Website:

Pastore Named NFF Draddy Award/Scholar-Athlete Semifinalist

2008-10-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Pastore Named NFF Draddy Award/Scholar-Athlete Semifinalist

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Senior defensive lineman Anthony Pastore (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) of the Gettysburg College football team has been named one of 164 semifinalists for The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) 2008 Draddy Trophy and a candidate for the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards.

The Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, recognizes an individual as the best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary community leadership. Nominees hail from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA.

The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2008 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Drady winner, who will receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship, will be announced at the NFF’s Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

Pastore, a three-year letterwinner, has been a starter in each of the past four seasons, posting 102 tackles for his career. Last year, he started all 11 games and had 25 tackles while helping the Bullets to a 6-5 record and a berth in the ECAC Southwest Bowl. He posted a career-high 38 tackles to go with 1.5 sacks during his sophomore campaign, and he also recorded 29 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks as a freshman.

An economics major with a 3.35 grade-point average, Pastore is a member of the Centennial Conference All-Academic Team, the Dean’s List, as well as the Omicron Delta Epsilon economics honor society. He has been highly involved in community leadership off the field and served as vice president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon last year. A member of the inter-fraternity council, he has led fundraising efforts for the Chris Clifford ’98 Memorial Run/Walk, has organized various holiday food drives for underprivileged families in Adams County, and has helped lead an annual event to benefit the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation. In addition, for the past three years he has worked with the St. John’s Kenyan Children’s Hospital.

Pastore is the second Bullet in as many years to be named a Draddy Trophy semifinalist. Safety Kyle Luciano ’08 was feted with the same honor last season.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player, and have demonstrated leadership and citizenship.

A complete list of the Draddy semifinalists can be found at http://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=1635.

Bullets to Visit Juniata in CC Affair

2008-10-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Football to Visit Juniata in CC Affair

Complete Game Notes

The Game
After winning their second straight game last week, the Bullets (2-4, 2-2 CC) will look to break out of a logjam in the middle of the Centennial Conference standings when they visit the Juniata College Eagles (1-5, 1-3 CC) in a CC showdown. Gettysburg, which finds itself locked in a four-way tied for third place in the conference, will be making its first trip to Huntingdon since 1980.

Game Coverage
Saturday's game can be followed through livestats at http://www.juniata.edu/athletics/livestats/xlive.htm.

Series Notes
Gettysburg and Juniata are facing off for the 23rd time, with the Bullets holding a 14-8 series lead. Prior to the Eagles joining the Centennial Conference in football last season, the two teams had not met since 1980, when Gettysburg prevailed 42-35 at Juniata. The Bullets won last season’s game and have not lost to the the Eagles since their 28-14 setback at Gettysburg in 1979.

Last Time Out
Junior quarterback Matt Flynn threw for 275 yards and one touchdown and rushed for another to lead Gettysburg to a 48-41 victory over Moravian College in a Centennial Conference shootout last Saturday at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium. Gettysburg racked up over 500 total yards for the second week in a row and the third time this season. The two teams combined for nearly 1,000 total yards, with the Bullets out-gaining Moravian, which entered the game leading the Centennial Conference in scoring defense (11.8 ppg), 527-451. Senior defensive end Matt Lessler broke the game open for the Bullets with 6:30 left, when he recovered a fumble on a sack and returned it 49 yards for a TD. The game featured six lead changes, and neither team led by more than 13 points. Sophomore wing/return specialist Charles Curcio returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and finished with a career-high 295 all-purpose yards. It was a game full of big plays, as Moravian’s Ryan Rempe also had an 82-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. In addition, Greyhound tailback Tyler McCambridge rushed for a 79-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Senior linebacker Terence Hartigan finished with 13 tackles for the Bullets while senior defensive end Conor Quinn had one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. The Bullets made the most of Moravian’s three fumbles, scoring directly or indirectly on all three.

Juniata suffered a 38-7 decision at the hands of sixth-ranked and undefeated Muhlenberg College in Centennial Conference action last Saturday in Allentown. The Mules finished with 440 yards of offense against Juniata, who entered the game with the Centennial’s third-ranked defense. Mule quarterback Eric Santagato was 19-of-21 passing for 262 yards, while running back John DeLuca led the ground game with 116 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Juniata’s Brandon Spayd made it a 17-7 game at the break when he returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter, but the Mules blanked the Eagles 21-0 the rest of the way. Quarterback Jay Leonard finished with 119 yards on 10-of-23 passing for Juniata while linebacker Josh Roy paced the defense with 14 tackles.

Closing in on 150
Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter, who coached his 300th game against Moravian last week, can pick up his 150th career victory with a win at Juniata. Entering the season, only 28 Division III coaches had ever reached the milestone. Streeter currently ranks 11th among active Division III coaches in victories. The following are Streeter’s milestone victories:

1. Sept. 16, 1978 - 17-16 at Lebanon Valley
25. Oct. 9, 1982 - 17-10 vs. Widener
50. Oct. 12, 1985 - 23-2 at Merchant Marine
75. Sept. 16, 1989 - 62-20 vs. Western Maryland
100. Nov. 12, 1994 - 52-20 vs. Franklin & Marshall
105. Oct. 21, 1995 - 28-16 vs. Muhlenberg*
125. Sept. 28, 2002 - 45-10 vs. Averett

* Set school record with 105th coaching victory

Streeter, now in his 30th season at Gettysburg, is the program’s all-time wins leader, owning a career record of 149-146-5. He also holds the Centennial Conference record for coaching victories with a career mark of 82-83-3.

Record Setter
Junior quarterback Matt Flynn set or tied a pair of school records against Moravian last week. Flynn, who finished the game with 326 yards of total offense to surpass the former record of 5,205 held by All-America tailback Paul Smith ’00, now has 5,363 total yards for his career. He also tied the Gettysburg record for career touchdown passes with his 33rd TD pass, tying the mark set by Dennis Flaherty ’01.

Hitting the Century Mark
Senior kicker Josh Huson booted his 100th career extra point in Gettysburg’s win over Moravian on Saturday, becoming just the second player in school history to reach the milestone. Huson trails only Jim Flynn ’86, who kicked 124 from 1982-85.

Sack Attack
The Bullets seven sacks against Ursinus marked the team’s highest output in six years. Gettysburg had not reached the quarterback with such frequency since Sept. 28, 2002, when it racked up eight sacks in a 45-10 win over Averett.

Last Season’s Game
Tom Sturges '08 rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries, leading the Bullets to a 42-21 Homecoming victory over Juniata. Charles Curcio also turned in a spectacular all-around game for the Bullets, accumulating 184 all-purpose yards while scoring a pair of touchdowns. He returned seven punts for 126 yards, including a 56-yard return for a touchdown, and rushed for 58 yards an additional score. Matt Flynn threw for 104 yards and one touchdown on 5-of-10 passing for the Bullets, and he rushed for 62 yards on five carries. Matt Welsh ’08 caught all but one of Flynn’s passes for 76 yards and a TD . Juniata was paced by Jay Leonard, who threw for 246 yards and a touchdown on 19-of-34 passing. Derek Kramer rushed for 63 yards on 13 carries while Kyle McKechnie ran for a pair of touchdowns for the Eagles.

Scouting Gettysburg
The high-powered Gettysburg offense was in high gear once again last week, scoring 48 points and racking 527 yards of offense. The Bullets have climbed up to 10th in Division III in total offense, averaging 455.0 yards per game, and are 22nd in passing offense (279.3 ypg). They lead the Centennial Conference total offense, passing offense (279.3 ypg), first downs (135), and rushing touchdowns (10) and are second in scoring offense (32.8 ppg). Junior quarterback Matt Flynn has passed for 1,604 yards and nine touchdowns and has rushed for an additional 149 yards and a pair of TDs. He ranks 14th in Division III in total offense (292.2 ypg) and leads the Centennial Conference in both total offense and passing (267.3 ypg). Junior wing Ricky Manigat leads the receiving corps with 28 receptions for 324 yards while sophomore receiver Gavin Jablonski (20 receptions, 337 yards), sophomore wing Charles Curcio (19 catches, 230 yards, three TDs), and sophomore receiver Brian Betley (15 receptions, 284 yards, 2 TDs) have also enjoyed productive seasons. Sophomore Jamel Mutunga and senior Nick McConnell have teamed up at tailback to give the team a combined 115.2 yards rushing per game, with Mutunga (75.2 ypg) rushing for five touchdown and McConnell (40.0 ypg) scoring four times. Curcio has added three rushing TDs and is averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Defensively, the Bullets are tied for the conference lead with 14 sacks. Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold leads the way with 6.5 sacks - a mark that leads the conference and is tied for 18th among the Division III leaders. Jerrold also leads the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Sophomore defensive tackle Vincent Ferrante has added 3.5 sacks while senior linebacker Terence Hartigan leads the Bullets with 50 tackles. Curcio has accumulated 162.0 all-purpose yards per game, a mark that ranks 29th in Division III.

Scouting Juniata
The Eagles have shown flashes of excellence on defense this season, holding three opponents to 14 points or less. However, Juniata has struggled offensively, scoring no more than 18 points in any game and averaging a conference-low 9.5 points per game. Senior quarterback Jay Leonard has passed for 1,002 yards but has thrown just one touchdown and seven interceptions. Senior receiver Chad Steiner leads the the team with 16 receptions for 285 yards while sophomore tailback Kyle McKechnie has fronted the running game with 180 yards and one touchdown on 68 carries. Juniata’s defense, which has held its opponents to 21.2 points per game, is led by senior linebacker Josh Roy, who has made 56 tackles while freshman defensive tackle Jason Marquis has totaled 5.0 tackles for loss. The Eagles feature one of the top return specialists in the conference in junior Brandon Spayd, who leads the Centennial in kick return average (28.1) and returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown last week against Muhlenberg.

Juniata is coached by Darell Alt, who is 5-41 in his fifth season with the Eagles. Alt is a former Gettysburg assistant after serving as the team’s outside linebacker and special teams coach from 2000-01. He is a 1996 graduate of Frostburg State.

Juniata Week

2008-10-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

Let's start the look-ahead to Saturday's game at Juniata. The following was taken from the D3Football.com Kick-off Edition:

Juniata Eagles

Last playoff appearance: 1973
Last year: 1-9, 0-8 CC
Last conference title: 1973
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 137
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 216
Wins increase from 06-07: Minus-1
Preseason ranking: 212 of 239
Players who started camp: 85
Head coach: Darrell Alt (fifth season, 4-36)
Starters returning: 14 (seven offense, seven defense, zero specialists)

Position battle to watch: The offensive and defensive lines. Alt made the trenches an emphasis during recruiting, and the effort paid off with increased numbers. Among the newcomers is Jason Marquis, who played in preps with Ohio State signee Terrelle Pryor. But Alt also has high expectations for defensive end Dan Kraft.

Pressure is on: T-E-A-M. Unlike many other coaches, Alt took the Centennial Conference preseason poll to heart. The Eagles were picked last in the conference. Now, they'll be looking to prove everyone wrong.

Where did he come from? J.D. Jones is a transfer from Gettysburg, and Alt believes he may fight for time in the linebacking corps. Alt said that Jones is a consummate team player and loves spending time in the weight room.

Their season will be defined by: The second game, a resumption of Juniata's rivalry with Susquehanna. The old MAC rivalry took a year off in 2007 when Juniata began play in the Centennial. They'll be fighting for Goalpost Trophy -- "an ugly, wooden goalpost, but it means a lot to us."

Predicted record: 0-10, 0-8

Capsule: The rebuilding process enters another phase for the Eagles. Alt said they're out to prove the rest of the conference wrong, that Juniata won't have the season that has been predicted for them. Bringing back 14 starters, including senior quarterback Jay Leonard, is a good start. With 547 more passing yards, Leonard will become the leading passer in school history. The offensive linemen were also a strength, though they were sixth in sacks against. Juniata threw more than any other team in the conference and were two sacks from being third in the conference. But the biggest improvement should come on defense, where eight starters return to a unit that was last or next to last in most every defensive category in the conference last year.

Curcio Cops Centennial Conference POW Honors

2008-10-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Curcio Cops Centennial Conference POW Honors

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Following an outstanding all-around game against Moravian College, sophomore wing/return specialist Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) of the Gettysburg College football team has been named the Centennial Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time in his career, it was announced Sunday.

Curcio piled up a career-high 191 return yards in the Bullets 48-41 victory over the Greyhounds on Saturday. He started the game in style, taking back the opening kickoff 92 yards for his first collegiate kick return touchdown. Curcio went on to finish with 152 yards on five kick returns and 39 yards on two punt returns. He also rushed for 42 yards and one touchdown on seven carries and had a career-high seven receptions for 62 yards, giving him a career-high 295 all-purpose yards for the day.

For the season, Curcio has averaged a team-leading 162.0 all-purpose yards per game and has scored a Gettysburg-best seven touchdowns.

The Bullets (2-4, 2-2 CC) resume their schedule on Saturday, when they visit Juniata College in a Centennial Conference affair starting at 1 p.m.

Congratulations to Charles, as well as to Matt Flynn and Conor Quinn who were named to the Conference Honor Roll for their contributions to Saturday's win over Moravian.

You can read more about these awards as well as a look-ahed to this Saturday's game at Juniata in this week's Centennial Conference Weekly Release.

Sunday Morning Bullets News

2008-10-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

From the Allentown Morning Call:

Bullets win shootout with Greyhounds, 48-41

From Call staff reports
October 12, 2008

Junior quarterback Matt Flynn threw for 275 yards and one touchdown to lead Gettysburg to a 48-41 Centennial Conference victory over Moravian in Centennial Conference on Saturday.

Gettysburg (2-4, 2-2 CC) racked up more than 500 total yards for the second week in a row and the third time this season.

The two teams combined for nearly 1,000 total yards, with the Bullets outgaining Moravian, which entered the game leading the Centennial Conference in scoring defense (11.8 ppg), 527-451.

The game featured six lead changes, and neither team led by more than 13.

Running back Tyler McCambridge (Central Catholic) rushed for 152 yards and one touchdown to lead Moravian (4-2, 2-2 CC).

Moravian quarterback Marc Braxmeier threw for 285 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Williams caught five passes for 129 yards for the Greyhounds.

Entering the afternoon with a conference-best plus-10 turnover ratio, the Greyhounds committed four turnovers, losing all three of their fumbles and throwing one interception. All three of the team's fumbles led to Bullet TDs.

Gettysburg trailed 38-34 heading into the fourth quarter but Nick McConnell scored the Bullets' go-ahead TD when he raced in from 5 yards out with 10:38 left.

Moravian's Brian Reckenbeil, who finished with 11 points and broke a Centennial Conference record for consecutive extra points made (48), made it a one-touchdown game when he kicked a 24-yard field goal with 3:52 remaining. He finished the day 5-for-5 on extra points and 2-for-2 on field goals.

From The Harrisburg Patriot-News:

D-III: GETTYSBURG 48, MORAVIAN 41
Lessler seals Bullets' victory
Sunday, October 12, 2008
From staff reports

GETTYSBURG - Matt Lessler's 49-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown provided the deciding score in Gettysburg's 48-41 win over Moravian in Centennial Conference action Saturday.

After losing its first four games, Gettysburg (2-4, 2-2) rebounded for a second straight Centennial win led by a 275-yard passing performance from junior quarterback Matt Flynn.

Charles Curcio got things started quickly for the Bullets, taking the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. Flynn followed four minutes later, at 10:47, by running in a second score.

From there, Moravian scored the next three touchdowns, but Gettysburg grabbed a 34-24 lead by getting scoring runs from Jamel Matunga and Curcio before the half.

Moravian came back to grab a 38-34 lead through three quarters, but a 5-yard touchdown run from Nick McConnell (Cedar Crest) and Lessler's score provided the winning margin.

Just found this on the Hanover Evening Sun Website:

Bullets' Lessler returns fumble for touchdown in Gettysburg win
By CHUCK CURLEY Evening Sun Sports Editor
Article Launched: 10/11/2008 11:30:30 PM EDT

After the teams piled up 978 yards of offense from scrimmage and another 316 yards in kickoff returns, there was only one way to describe how Saturday's football game at Gettysburg College turned out.

"It's a little surreal."

That came from Gettysburg senior defensive end Matt Lessler, who found himself on the scoring end of the game's definitive play.

His 49-yard return of a fumble by Moravian quarterback Marc Braxmeier for a touchdown provided the insurance in Gettysburg's 48-41 triumph.

When Lessler exited the locker room after the game, fans and well-wishers gave him the biggest ovation - and for good reason.

Until then, Moravian had been nearly able to match the Bullets (2-4, 2-1 Centennial Conference) point for point.

However, Moravian was trailing 41-38 and had third down from Gettysburg's 32-yard line with less than seven minutes remaining.

Braxmeier retreated to pass, hesitated and was hit by the Bullets' Anthony Pastore.
The ball popped free.

"One of the guys had him all wrapped up and it just fell into my lap," Lessler, a Centerreach, N.Y., resident, said. "I was just in the right spot."

Lessler caught the ball out of the air and then outraced a stunned Moravian offense to the end zone for his first career touchdown at any level.

And it brought a big sigh of relief from Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter, who said, "We had to get some stops and we got some stops, whether it was by turnover ... Lessler's play was huge."

It was a heartbreaker for Moravian (4-2, 2-2) coach Scott Dapp, who said Braxmeier paid dearly for his hesitation.

"It was a bad decision on the quarterback when some receivers were open," Dapp said. "I don't know what he was thinking. ... That's a game-breaker right there."

That big play was just one of many, starting with a 92-yard return of the opening kickoff for a touchdown by the Bullets' Charles Curcio. By the time the fourth period began, the lead had swapped five times.

En route, Curcio added a second touchdown, Josh Huson kicked his 100th career extra point and Gettysburg quarterback Matt Flynn had tied Dennis Flaherty's school record with his 33rd career touchdown pass. Moravian's Ryan Rempe countered with two touchdowns of his own, including an 82-yard kickoff return.

However, early in the fourth period, Gettysburg drove 61 yards and Nick McConnell, who paced Gettysburg's rushers with 69 yards, finished with a 5-yard touchdown run.

With Huson's kick, Gettysburg took a 41-38 lead, which Lessler then expanded with his play. Moravian answered with a field goal with 3:52 left, but Gettysburg recovered the onsides kick and ran out the clock on its second win in a row.

"We're just going to take Juniata next and focus on that," Streeter said. "Our kids are going to do a lot better if we don't put a lot of pressure on them to do anything other than to play hard for this game we've got coming up."

Contact Chuck Curley at ccurley@eveningsun.com

Bullets Put on Offensive Showcase, Beats Moravian 48-41

2008-10-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Football Puts on Offensive Showcase, Beats Moravian 48-41

Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) threw for 275 yards and one touchdown, rushed for another, and set or tied two school records to lead Gettysburg to a 48-41 victory over Moravian College in Centennial Conference shootout Saturday afternoon at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.

Gettysburg (2-4, 2-2 CC), which evened its conference record with its second straight win, racked up over 500 total yards for the second week in a row and the third time this season. The two teams combined for nearly 1,000 total yards, with the Bullets out-gaining Moravian, which entered the game leading the Centennial Conference in scoring defense (11.8 ppg), 527-451.

The game featured six lead changes, and neither team led by more than 13 points. With his 2-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end A.J. Perrotti (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) early in the second quarter, Flynn tied Gettysburg’s career touchdown pass record of 33 held by Dennis Flaherty ’01. He also surpassed the school record for career total offense, passing the former mark of 5,205 held by Paul Smith ’00. Flynn finished the day with 326 total yards, giving him 5,363 for his career.

Running back Tyler McCambridge rushed for 152 yards and one touchdown to lead Moravian (4-2, 2-2 CC), which lost its second straight after starting the season 4-0.

Sophomore wing/return specialist Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) racked up a career-high 295 all-purpose yards for Gettysburg while Moravian quarterback Marc Braxmeier threw for 285 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Williams caught five passes for 129 yards for Moravian while Curcio hauled in seven balls for 62 yards for Gettysburg.

Four different Bullets rushed for a touchdown. Along with Flynn, senior tailback Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest), sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air), and Curcio all scored on the ground.

Senior kicker Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) also reached a milestone for the Bullets, booting his 100th career extra point with his first of his six PATs on the afternoon. Huson is second on the school’s career point-after list, trailing only Jim Flynn ’86, who kicked 135 from 1982-85.

Entering the afternoon with a conference-best +10 turnover ratio, the Greyhounds committed four turnovers, losing all three of their fumbles and throwing one interception. All three of the team’s fumbles led to a Bullet touchdown.

Gettysburg, which entered the game ranked 15th in Division III in total offense, trailed 38-34 heading into the fourth quarter but McConnell, who finished with 69 yards rushing on just 10 carries, scored the Bullets go-ahead touchdown when he raced in for a 5 yards out with 10:38 left. The play was set up by a key fourth-and-6 conversion in which Flynn hit junior wing Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) for a 10-yard gain. Gettysburg finished 3-for-3 on fourth-down conversions.

Senior defensive end Matt Lessler (Centereach, N.Y./Centereach) gave the Bullets a 10-point cushion with 6:30 left when he returned a fumble recovery on a sack 49 yards for a touchdown. Senior defensive tackle Anthony Pastore (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) knocked the ball loose as Braxmeier brought his arm back to pass before Lessler tracked down the pigskin around midfield and sprinted untouched down the right side of the field.

Brian Reckenbeil, who finished with 11 points and broke a Centennial Conference record for consecutive extra points made (48), made it a one-touchdown game when he kicked a 24-yard field goal with 3:52 remaining. He finished the day 5-for-5 on extra points and 2-for-2 on field goals. But the Greyhounds were unable to recover an onside kick and the Bullets ran out the rest of the clock.

Both teams returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the first half. Curcio took back the opening kickoff 92 yards for Gettysburg, evading several blockers early before racing down the right sideline untouched. It was the first kick return TD by a Bullet since Nathan Smith’s 95-yarder against McDaniel on Oct. 8, 2005.

After Flynn ran in for a 5-yard score on the Bullets next drive, the Greyhounds came back with 17 unanswered points, and took a 17-13 lead when Reckenbeil kicked a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Then after Flynn’s record-tying pass, Ryan Rempe broke free for an 82-yard kickoff return to put Moravian up 24-20 with 10:41 left in the third quarter.

Moravian lost the ball on a fumble on its final two drives of the opening half and the Bullets converted twice to take a 34-24 halftime lead. With 4:05 left, senior defensive end Conor Quinn (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery) fell on a ball that slipped out of the hands of fullback Morgan deRouen at the Moravian-18. Three plays later, Mutunga bulled his way up the middle on third-and-1 for a 9-yard touchdown.

On the Greyhounds second play of the ensuing drive, Quinn came up big again, forcing a McCambridge fumble that was recovered by sophomore defensive tackle Sebastian Sullivan (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) at the Moravian-40. Curcio then scored for the second time, taking a pitch left, stopping to let a defender go by, and tip-toeing down the sideline for a 6-yard TD run with 1:01 on the clock.

Senior linebacker Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) came up with his first career interception just before the end of the half, tipping a ball to himself at midfield. The Bullets nearly added to their lead just before the end of the break, as Flynn’s Hail Mary into the end zone was tipped into the hands of sophomore receiver Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape). But a holding penalty brought the play back, and Flynn was intercepted at the Moravian-1 on the final play of the half.

Gettysburg’s 21 points marked the teams highest output in any quarter this season, and their 34 first-half points were the most by the Bullets in a half this year.

The ’Hounds scored the first 14 points of the second half to take a 38-34 lead. Moravian’s second touchdown of the period was set up by an interception from safety Carl Robinson, whose 21-yard return put his team at the Gettysburg-47. Four plays later, Braxmeier hit tight end Brian Dencker for a 35-yard touchdown pass to put the Greyhounds up by four with 4:12 left in the third quarter.

Following Gettysburg’s two late scores, Moravian drove to the Bullet-9. But after a 2-yard run and two incomplete passes, the Greyhounds elected for a field goal, and they never saw the ball again.

Senior linebacker Terrence Hartigan (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) made a career-high 13 tackles for the Bullets while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) had eight hits. Kevin McGorry and Daniel Burley made 11 hits tackles apiece for Moravian.

Gettysburg opens a three-game, four-week road trip next Saturday, when it visits Juniata College in a Centennial Conference tilt starting at 1 p.m.

Friday Previews

2008-10-10T05:30:00.000-07:00

A couple previews from around the web on this beautiful Fall Friday!

First, go to the Moravian College Website for their preview of Saturday's game.

Next, the following was taken from The Harrisburg Patriot-News Website:

MORAVIAN AT GETTYSBURG:
It will be a team coming off its first win of the season going against a team coming off its first loss in Saturday's 1 p.m. Centennial Conference game at Shirk Field, Musselman Stadium. Junior quarterback Matt Flynn was named Centennial Player of the Week after passing for a career-high 399 yards for Gettysburg (1-4, 1-2) in a 38-7 win over Ursinus last weekend. Meanwhile, Moravian (4-1, 2-1) suffered a 16-7 Centennial loss at Dickinson. The Bullets hold a 5-1 career advantage in the series.

The Centennial Conference Friday Tailgate includes a preview of Saturday's game as well...

Go Bullets!

Bullets to Host Moravian in Centennial Match-up

2008-10-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

The following preview is taken from the Gettysburg College Website:

Gridders to Host Moravian in Centennial Match-up

Complete Game Notes

THE GAME
Coming off their first win of the season, the Bullets (1-4, 1-2 CC) will look to make it two in a row as they host Moravian (4-1, 2-1 CC) in a Centennial Conference showdown on Saturday at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.

GAME COVERAGE
A live audio/video webcast of Saturday’s game is available on a pay-per-view basis at http://www.gettysburgsports.com/member/bridge.asp?url=/member/aa_signup.aspx, with Josh Scheinblum ’11 calling the action and Curtis Lafferty ’11 providing color commentary.

SERIES NOTES
Gettysburg and Moravian have met only six times, with the Bullets holding a 5-1 lead. Prior to last season, when the Greyhounds joined the Centennial Conference for football, the two teams had not faced off since 1982. Moravian won in the two teams first meeting in 1978, but Gettysburg has won the last five.

LAST TIME OUT
Junior Matt Flynn threw for a career-high 399 yards – five shy of the school record – and three touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing while the Bullet defense rolled up seven sacks as Gettysburg cruised to a 38-7 Centennial Conference victory over Ursinus College last Saturday. Flynn, who threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end David Rodriguez on Gettysburg’s first play from scrimmage, came up just short of the single-game school record of 404 yards set by Hunter McMillan ’08 against Hampden-Sydney in 2005. The Bullets racked up a season-high 539 yards of total offense, their highest output since putting up 557 in McMillan’s school-record performance. Gettysburg, which never trailed and scored 31 unanswered points after the Bears tied it up in the first quarter, held Ursinus to 229 yards. Leading the defensive effort was senior defensive end Josh Jerrold, who had 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and five tackles. Sophomore defensive end Vincent Ferrante also had 2.5 sacks for the Bullets, who had made just four sacks over their first four games. Sophomore receiver Gavin Jablonski finished with six receptions for 120 yards while Rodriguez had two catches for 124 yards. Junior wing Ricky Manigat added three receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown while sophomore wing Charles Curcio accumulated 159 all-purpose yards.

Moravian suffered its first loss of the season last week, dropping a 16-7 decision at Dickinson College. The Greyhounds, who entered the game with a conference-leading 262.8 rushing yards per game, were held to 106 yards on the ground and 173 total yards. After a scoreless first quarter, tight end Brian Dencker put the ’Hounds up 7-0 when he grabbed an 11-yard touchdown pass from Marc Braxmeier, but Moravian was blanked the rest of the way. Dickinson’s Ian Mitchell hit Pat O’Conner for a 22-yard touchdown pass to make it a 7-7 game at the half, then put the Red Devils in front to stay with another 22-yard strike to O’Conner midway through the third quarter. Dencker finished with five receptions for 48 yards while tailback Tyler deRouen rushed 13 times for 55 yards. Tailback Tyler McCambridge added 45 yards on 14 carries for the ’Hounds while linebacker Andrew Morrissey led the defense with 12 tackles.

WITH HONORS
Following his outstanding performance against Ursinus, junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) captured Gettysburg’s first player of the week selection this season when he was named the Centennial Conference Offensive POW, marking the third such honor of his career. His three touchdown passes against the Bears hiked his career total to 32, just one shy of the school record set by Dennis Flaherty ’01 from 1997-2000.

SACK ATTACK
The Bullets seven sacks against Ursinus marked the team’s highest output in six years. Gettysburg had not reached the quarterback with such frequency since Sept. 28, 2002, when it racked up eight sacks in a 45-10 win over Averett.

LAST SEASON’S GAME
Gettysburg jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead behind 118 yards and three touchdowns from tailback Tom Sturges ’08, but the Greyhounds came roaring back in the second half with 20 points to cut the margin to just one touchdown. The Bullet defense held its ground, however, stopping the potential game-tying drive with just over a minute remaining in the game to pick up a 27-20 victory in Bethlehem. The win gave Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter his 78th career Centennial Conference victory, making him the all-time winningest coach in conference history. Sturges finished the day with 168 yards on 35 carries as Gettysburg tallied 222 total yards on the rushing attack. Wing Charles Curcio put together a productive all-around day, totaling 167 all-purpose yards, including 126 on four kickoff returns. After receiving the ball at its own 8-yard line with 3:07 left, the Greyhounds drove to the Gettysburg-46. But after a short rush and a sack, Moravian threw a pair of incomplete passes and the Bullets ran out the rest of the clock. Marc Braxmeier threw for 229 yards for the Greyhounds while Shawn Sylvainus caught seven passes for 85 yards. Fullback Morgan deRouen rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries, and linebacker Andrew Morrissey led the team with 10 tackles. Linebackers Tim Widdoes and Harold Barton ’08 made 10 stops apiece for the Bullets while defensive end Conor Quinn made 2.5 of Gettysburg’s five sacks.

RULE CHANGES
The NCAA has instituted two clock rule changes this year. The play clock will now start at 40 seconds from the moment the previous play is blown dead; however, a 25-second clock will be used if play is stopped for an administrative purpose, such as after a timeout or at the start of a quarter. Also changing is the start of the game clock after out-of-bounds plays - the game clock will now start when the ball is marked ready for play, not when it’s snapped (except in the final two minutes of play). Other rule changes this season include banning horsecollar tackles, the elimination of the five-yard facemask penalty, and the elimination of the sideline warning (it’s now a five-yard penalty with no warning). Finally, the penalty for a kick-off out of bounds has been changed to give the receiving team the ball 30 yards from the spot of the kick-off.

SCOUTING GETTYSBURG
The Bullets have continued to thrive offensively, scoring 37 points or more for the third time in five games last week. The team now leads the conference in both total offense (440.6 ypg) and passing offense (279.6) and ranks 15th and 21st, respectively, among the Division III leaders in the same categories. Flynn has racked up 1,329 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 60.7% of his passes. He leads the conference in both passing and total offense (285.4 ypg) and ranks 21st nationally in total offense. His favorite target has been junior wing Ricky Manigat who has caught 25 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Jamel Mutunga leads the rushing atack, piling up 392 yards and averaging 4.7 yards per carry while scoring four touchdowns. Sophomore wing/return specialist Charles Curcio has enjoyed a fine all-around season and has averaged 135.4 all-purpose yards per game and leads the Bullets with five touchdowns (three receiving, two rushing). Defensively, senior defensive end Josh Jerrold has posted some impressive numbers, making a conference-leading 6.5 sacks and recording all three of his forced fumbles last week. He is now tied for ninth nationally in sacks per game (1.30). Freshman safety Joe Delaney leads the team with 40 tackles while senior linebacker Terence Hartigan has made 37 stops.

HEAD OF THE CLASS
With his 27-20 win over Moravian last season, Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter picked up his 78th Centennial Conference victory, making him the all-time winningest coach in conference history. He passed former Franklin & Marshall coach Tom Gilburg, who won 77 games from 1983-2002. Streeter has gone 81-83-3 in Centennial play since the inception of the conference in 1983.

MORE ON STREETER
Streeter is also the longest-tenured and winningest football coach in Gettysburg history. He surpassed Hen Bream (1927-51), who coached for 22 seasons, in 2000. Streeter won his 105th career game against Muhlenberg in a 1995 to take over the career wins lead. Now in his 30th season as head coach, he has a 148-146-5 (.503) career record.

SCOUTING MORAVIAN
Moravian has made its mark as a stingy defensive team this season and has yet to allow more than 16 points in a game. The Greyhounds lead the Centennial Conference in scoring defense (11.8 ppg) and are fourth in total defense (276.6 ypg). Senior linebackers Andrew Morrissey and Kevin McGorry lead the team in tackles with 44 apiece while senior defensive end Douglas Bocchino is tops among the ’Hounds with 5.5 sacks. Moravian has won the turnover battle more often than not this season and lead the conference with its +10 turnover ratio, making a league-best 17 takeaways. The two-pronged attack of senior tailbacks Tyler McCambridge and Tyler deRouen have helped the ’Hounds lead the conference in rushing, with the team averaging 231.4 yards per game. McCambridge, who also returns kickoffs and is averaging 155.8 all-purpose yards per game, has rushed for 454 yards and (5.7 per carry) while deRouen has put up 423 yards (4.8 per carry). Senior quarterback Marc Braxmeier has attempted only 89 passes but has thrown five touchdowns and just one interception while junior tight end Brian Dencker leads the team with 11 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. Senior kicker Brian Reckenbeil has recorded an outstanding season, nailing 14-of-14 extra points and 6-of-8 field goals, including a school-record 47-yarder in the team’s season-opener against Susquehanna. He also set Moravian records with four field goals and 15 points in the team’s 33-10 victory over Johns Hopkins.

Moravian is coached by Scot Dapp, who is 132-89-1 in his 22nd season with the Greyhounds. He has directed his teams to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances, the 1988 MAC title, and the 1993 Commonwealth Conference championship.

Flynn, Jerrold Garner POW Recognition

2008-10-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Just picked this up off the Gettysburg College Website:

Flynn, Jerrold Garner POW Recognition

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) and senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East) of the Gettysburg College football have earned player of the week honors for their performances in the team’s team win over Ursinus College this past Saturday.

Flynn picked up his second award of the week, as he was named the ECAC Southwest Region Offensive Player of the Week. On Sunday, he was chosen as the Centennial Conference Offensive POW.

Jerrold was honored with a spot on the D3football.com national Team of the Week.

Flynn posted one of the top passing performances in school history on Saturday in the Bullets 38-7 Centennial Conference victory over the Bears. Completing 16-of-23 passes, he threw for a career-high 399 yards – just five shy of the school record – and three touchdowns. Flynn, who was not intercepted, threw a 63-yard touchdown pass on Gettysburg’s first play from scrimmage, and he added TD strikes of 25 and 15 yards to lead the Bullets to their first victory of the season.

With his final touchdown pass on Saturday – the 32nd of his career – Flynn pulled to within one of the school record held by Dennis Flaherty ’01.

For the season, Flynn has thrown for 1,329 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 60.7% of his passes. He currently leads the Centennial Conference in both passing (265.8 yards per game) and total offense (285.4 ypg), and he ranks 21st in Division III in total offense.

Jerrold recorded 2.5 sacks and forced three fumbles to lead a Gettysburg defensive effort that totaled seven sacks and limited Ursinus to 229 total yards. Jerrold’s sacks resulted in 21 yards lost, and he finished with six tackles (three solo).

Jerrold leads the Bullets and the Centennial Conference in sacks (6.5), a mark that ties him for ninth among the Division III leaders. He has made 28 tackles and also leads the conference with 7.5 tackles for loss.

Gettysburg (1-4, 1-2 CC) returns to action on Saturday, when it hosts Moravian College in a Centennial Conference game at 1 p.m.

Moravian Week

2008-10-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

Let's start the look ahead to Saturday's home game with Moravian. The following is taken from the D3Football.com Kick-off Edition:

Moravian Greyhounds

Last playoff appearance: 2005
Last year: 6-4, 4-4 CC
Last conference title: 1988
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 109
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 129
Wins increase from 06-07: Plus-2
Preseason ranking: 84 of 239
Players who started camp: 99
Head coach: Scot Dapp, 22nd year, 127-88-1
Starters returning: 17 (six offense, nine defense, two specialists)

Position battle to watch: The offensive line. Though two starters return -- Timothy McBride and Andrew Grando -- the Greyhounds must replace the other three players, including All-Centennial lineman Eric Adams. Dapp expects upperclassmen like senior Wes Harpel and sophomores Joey Begany and Daniel Cancelliere to compete for the spots, as well as some of the incoming freshmen.

Pressure is on: The running backs to stay healthy. Moravian has been decimated by injuries in the backfield for the past two seasons. Though Dapp said returning starters Tyler McCambridge and Morgan deRouen are talented, they must stay healthy.

Where did he come from? Tight end Brian Dencker, a junior, is the likely candidate to replace the graduated Kris Bisci. Though he played in all 10 games, Dencker was overshadowed by Bisci, who Dapp called their "go-to" guy.

Their season will be defined by: The season-ending game against Lehigh Valley rival Muhlenberg. If the Greyhounds can stay healthy, some believe the game could decide the conference championship. If they're not, it could turn into a game like 2007, when the Mules cruised to a 35-0 victory.

Predicted record: 9-1, 7-1

Capsule: Last season started with promise for the Greyhounds: Moravian won six of its first eight games -- losing two by eight total points -- before injuries began piling up, derailing the final two weeks. With those injuries healed, nine starters return on defense. Three of the four in the secondary return, which should mean an improvement in the defense's lagging numbers against the pass in 2007 (eighth in the conference at 225.7 yards per game). Offensively, the line loses three starters but several skill players are back, notably All-Conference quarterback Marc Braxmeier. A healthy backfield will give the Greyhounds better offensive balance. Even with all the returners, the Greyhounds were picked fifth in the preseason coaches' poll.

Matt Flynn Offensive Player of the Week!

2008-10-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Matt Flynn for being named Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week!

Congratulations also go out to Josh Jerrold and Josh Huson for making the Conference Honor Roll for their contributions to Saturday's win over Ursinus!

Read this and other news, including a look ahead to Saturday's game vs. Moravian, in this week's Centennial Conference Weekly Release.

The following was taken from the Gettysburg College Website:

Flynn Earns Football Player of the Week Honors

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) of the Gettysburg College football team has been named the Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced Sunday.

Flynn posted one of the top passing performances in school history on Saturday in the Bullets 38-7 Centennial Conference victory over Ursinus College. Completing 16-of-23 passes, he threw for a career-high 399 yards – just five shy of the school record – and three touchdowns. Flynn, who was not intercepted, threw a 63-yard touchdown pass on Gettysburg’s first play from scrimmage, and he added TD strikes of 25 and 15 yards to lead the Bullets to their first victory of the season.

With his final touchdown pass on Saturday – the 32nd of his career – Flynn pulled to within one of the school record held by Dennis Flaherty ’01.

Gettysburg (1-4, 1-2 CC) returns to action on Saturday, when it hosts Moravian College in a Centennial Conference game at 1 p.m.

Sunday News

2008-10-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday's recap from the Ursinus Website:

Bears routed by Gettysburg, 38-7

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Host Gettysburg racked up 539 yards of total offense as the Bullets scored 31 unanswered points in a 38-7 win over Ursinus Saturday afternoon at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium in Centennial Conference football action.

The Bullets (1-4, 1-2 Centennial) earned their third straight win over the Bears (2-2, 1-1 Centennial). Bullets junior quarterback Matt Flynn had 399 yards and three scores in the win, just missing the Gettysburg school record for passing yards in a contest. Sophomore wideout Gavin Jablonski caught six of those passes for 120 yards.

For Ursinus, senior quarterback Nick Dye (Glenside, PA/Cheltenham Township) finished the afternoon 17-for-32 for 149 yards, and threw his first interception of the season. Dye was hounded by the Bullets’ defense as he was sacked seven times.

Junior running back Mark Jaskowski (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) had a team-high 55 yards on 17 carries. Dye rushed for 27 yards on 15 attempts. Junior wideout Shea Wisler (Green Lane, PA/Upper Perkiomen) had four catches for 36 yards, with Jaskowski having 29 yards on four catches.

Following Ursinus’ first drive of the game, the Bullets struck first as Flynn found senior tight end David Rodriguez wide open in the middle of the field for a 63-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 Gettysburg lead with 13:06 left. It was the Bullets’ first offensive play from scrimmage.

The Bears responded right back as Dye rushed for a 1-yard score with 7:05 left to tie the score at 7-all. The drive covered 54-yards in 12 plays, and also benefited from a penalty on fourth down by Gettysburg which gave Ursinus a first down.

Following the score, Gettysburg drove all the way down to the Ursinus’ 20, but, senior kicker Josh Huson missed a 36-yard field goal with 2:30 left in the quarter. Ursinus then fumbled the ball right back to the Bullets, as Jaskowski fumbled giving Gettysburg the ball at the Bears’ 24. However, Gettysburg turned the ball back over on the nine-yard line three plays later as Flynn fumbled.

The Bears, however, saw their drive stall at their own 44. The Bullets were able to put three points on the board on their following drive, as Huson capped a 12-play, 63-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal with 5:47 left. Ursinus did force the field goal, after keeping Gettysburg out of the end zone following a first-and-goal at the Bears’ 2.

The key play was a tackle by junior linebacker Nate Mast(Manheim, PA/Manheim Central) on third down.

Gettysburg put one more score on the board with just 46 seconds left in the first half as Flynn found junior running back Ricky Manigat in the middle of the field for a 25-yard touchdown pass and a 17-7 Bullets lead.

The Bullets took the ball to start the second half, and proceeded to march 82 yards in ten plays, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Flynn to sophomore wideout Charles Curcio for a 24-7 Gettysburg lead.

Ursinus could not get anything going on their first drive, but, recovered a fumble on Gettysburg second drive of the game as junior linebacker Marc Lordi (Pennington, NJ/Notre Dame) hit Jablonski at the Ursinus 33. Sophomore defensive lineman Dave Queroli (Narberth, PA/Harriton) recovered the fumble.

After a three-and-out by Ursinus, Gettysburg upped the lead to 31-7 with 3:26 left as sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga rushed for a five-yard score. The score ended a five-play, 71-yard drive.

Gettysburg punched in one more score in the fourth quarter, as Curcio scored on a 20-yard run with 12:30 left for a 38-7 Bullets lead.

Defensively, Mast had seven stops with junior defensive back Eikeem Barron (Philadelphia, PA/Overbrook) making six.

Ursinus will take on Franklin & Marshall next Saturday, starting at 1:30 p.m.

Flynn, Defense Lift Bullets to First Win of Season

2008-10-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

Congrat's to all the Bullets for your first win! Keep up the great work! The following is from the Gettysburg College Website:

Flynn, Defense Lift Bullets to First Win of Season

Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Junior Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) threw for a career-high 399 yards – five shy of the school record – and three touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing while the Bullets defense rolled up seven sacks as Gettysburg cruised to a 38-7 Centennial Conference victory over Ursinus College Saturday afternoon in front of a large Family Day crowd at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.

Flynn, who threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end David Rodriguez (Fort Belvoir, Va./Bishop Ireton) on Gettysburg’s first play from scrimmage, came up just short of the single-game school record of 404 yards set by Hunter McMillan ’08 against Hampden-Sydney in 2005. He has now thrown 32 touchdown passes for his career, just one shy of the school record set by Dennis Flaherty ’01 from 1997-2000.

The Bullets (1-4, 1-2 CC), who had a 99-yard touchdown drive late in the game, racked up a season-high 539 yards of total offense, their highest output since putting up 557 in McMillan’s school-record passing performance in 2005 against Hampden-Sydney. Gettysburg, which never trailed and scored 31 unanswered points after the Bears tied it up in the first quarter, held Ursinus (2-2, 1-1 CC) to 229 yards.

Gettysburg’s seven sacks were the most by the Bullets since their eight-sack effort in a 45-10 win over Averett on Sept. 28, 2002. Leading the defensive effort was senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./East Pennsbury), who had 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and five tackles. Sophomore defensive end Vincent Ferrante (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by the Sea) also had 2.5 sacks for the Bullets, who had made just four sacks over their first four games.

Sophomore receiver Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) finished with six receptions for 120 yards, both career-highs, for the Bullets while Rodriguez had two catches for a career-high 124 yards. Junior wing Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) added three receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Pacing the Bullets rushing game was sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air), who ran for 64 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries while sophomore wing Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) carried the ball six times for 59 yards and a TD. He finished with 159 all-purpose yards.

Senior kicker Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) scored eight points for the Bullets, kicking a 25-yard field goal while going 5-for-5 on extra-point attempts, bringing his career PAT total to 99.

Dye threw for 149 yards on 17-of-33 passing while Mark Jaskowski rushed for 55 yards on 17 carries for the Bears.

After forcing a three-and-out on the opening possession, Flynn found Rodriguez wide open deep down the middle of the field, and he raced untouched into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown. It was the first time Gettysburg scored on its first offensive play since Oct. 22, 1983 on a Paul Rosengrant 77-yard reverse.

The Bears answered with their lone scoring drive, going 54 yards on 15 plays. Dye ran for the final nine yards of the march, scrambling for an 8-yard run on third-and-8 to give Ursinus a first-and-goal at the Gettysburg-1. He dove into the end zone on the next play as the Bears pulled even at 7-7 midway through the first quarter.

On its next two possessions, Gettysburg missed a 36-yard field goal and fumbled, but regrouped for a pair of scoring drives before the end of the half. Early in the second quarter, the Bullets drove to the Ursinus-2, but Manigat was tackled for a loss on a third-and-goal rush. But that’s when Huson knocked through his field goal to put his team on top to stay at 10-7 with 5:47 showing.

The Bullet defense then turned up the heat, sacking Dye on back-to-back plays to force the Bears third punt of the game. After a Greg Zara 51-yarder bounced through the end zone for a touchback, Gettysburg needed just 1:32 to drive the 80 yards for its second touchdown of the game. Flynn sparked the drive with a 25-yard catch-and-run pass to Mutunga, putting the Bullets at the Ursinus-44, and six plays later he connected over the middle to Manigat, who took a couple of hits before bulling his way to pay dirt, making it a 17-7 game with 46 ticks showing on the first-half clock.

The Gettysburg offense picked up where it left off on the opening drive of the second half, going 82 yards on 10 plays, with Flynn hitting Curcio for a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Bullet defense followed suit, holding the Bears to negative-14 yards on their first two possessions. Gettysburg got to Dye for a sack on Ursinus’ first two plays of the half, with Jerrold making a solo hit for a 15-yard loss before teaming up with Ferrante for a 4-yarder. The Bullets pushed their lead to 31-7 with 3:26 left in the third quarter when Mutunga took a pitch right and ran into the end zone from 5 yards out. One play earlier, Flynn found Jablonski for a 49-yard pass.

Gettysburg’s final scoring drive was set up by an interception from sophomore cornerback Tairi Mobley (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown), who came down with an underthrown ball at the Bullet-1 for his first collegiate pick on the next-to-last play of the third quarter. But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Flynn extricated his team from its precarious field position when he hit Rodriguez for another long pass, this one going for 61 yards to the Ursinus-38. Four plays later, Curcio took a pitch left and raced in for a 20-yard touchdown run. Huson’s final extra point set the final score with 12:30 left.

Sophomore cornerback John Dickerson (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) snuffed out the Bears final drive, when he broke up a pass in the corner of the end zone on a fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line with 44 seconds to go.

Mobley and senior linebacker Terence Hartigan (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) made a game-high eight tackles apiece for the Bullets while senior defensive end Conor Quinn (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery) made seven hits, including 3.0 for loss and 1.0 sack. Freshman defensive end Gabe Gallante (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) also got into the sack attack, making the first of his collegiate career late in the game.

Linebacker Nate Mast led Ursinus with seven tackles.

Gettysburg returns home next Saturday, when it takes on Moravian College in another Centennial Conference match-up.
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Bullets, Bears to Battle in CC Football Showdown

2008-10-02T17:04:00.000-07:00

I'm back to blogging after a couple days of downtime for medical reasons...

First, from the Gettysburg College Website:

Bullets, Bears to Battle in CC Football Showdown

Complete Game Notes

The Game
The Bullets (0-4, 0-2 CC) continue their search for their first win of the season as they host the Ursinus College Bears (2-1, 1-0 CC) in a Centennial Conference match-up during Family Weekend at Gettysburg College.

Game Coverage
A live webcast of Saturday’s game will be available on a pay-per view basis at http://www.gettysburgsports.com/member/bridge.asp?url=/member/aa_signup.aspx. Josh Scheinblum '10 will call the action with Geoff Carr '11 providing color commentary.

Series Notes
Gettysburg leads Ursinus 30-17-4 in the all-time series that dates back to 1903. The Bullets have won five of the last six meetings, with the Bears only victory over that stretch coming in a 16-13 win in Collegeville in 2005. Ursinus has not won in Gettysburg since their 38-36 victory in 2000, losing their last three at the Battlefield.

Last Time
Out Muhlenberg scored on five of its last six possessions and the seventh-ranked Mules won on their homecoming, topping Gettysburg 42-21 in Centennial Conference action on Saturday in Allentown. The Bullets trailed just 7-0 after the first quarter against the defending conference champions, but the Mules scored a pair of touchdown late in the half to build a 21-0 halftime lead. The Bullets pulled to within 14 points three times in the second half, but the Mules answered with a touchdown each time. Muhlenberg, which won its 14th consecutive regular season game, received 245 yards on 17-of-27 passing from Eric Santagato, who connected with Phil Cresta eight times for 128 yards. Tailback John DeLuca added 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Mules. Junior quarterback Matt Flynn completed 21 of 33 passes and threw for 259 yards for Gettysburg while junior wing Ricky Manigat caught seven passes for 56 yards. Senior tailback Nick McConnell added a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs while sophomore Jamel Mutunga finished with 60 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries.

Ursinus, which is coming off a bye week, defeated Juniata College 21-17 in its Centennial Conference opener two weeks ago. Senior quarterback Nick Dye scored the game-winning touchdown on a 23-yard run with 6:19 left in the game as the Bears won despite blowing an early 14-0 lead. After Ursinus scored a pair of first-half touchdowns, the Eagles went on a 17-0 run to open up a three-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Dye threw for 200 yards and one touchdown on 17-of-31 passing and rushed for an additional 51 yards on eight carries. The Ursinus defensive secondary had a big game, breaking up 16 of Juniata’s 54 pass attempts. Senior cornerback Billy Stolle and junior safety Eikeem Barron broke up three passes apiece while senior defensive tackle Adam Kabacinski came up with a team-high 10 tackles, including one of the team’s five sacks. Junior tailback Marc Jaskowski finished with 65 yards and a 3-yard touchdown on just 13 carries for the Bears while junior receiver Shea Wisler caught five passes for 52 yards.

Flynn Hits 4,000
Against Muhlenberg on Saturday, junior quarterback Matt Flynn became just the second Bullet in school history to surpass the 4,000-yard career passing mark. He now has 4,011 yards and trails only Dennis Flaherty ’01, who threw for 5,136 yards from 1997-2000, on the all-time list. Flynn is also four touchdowns away from tying Flaherty’s school record of 33 touchdown passes and three TDs shy of tying Jim Ward ’66 for second.

Last Season’s Game
Tailback Tom Sturges ’08 ran for 167 yards on 33 carries while safety Kyle Luciano ’08 had a huge defensive game as the Bullets handed Ursinus its first loss of the season, defeating the Bears 21-7 at Patterson Field.Gettysburg out-gained Ursinus 411-289 and held the Bears to 66 yards rushing.The Bullets took the lead for good when Sturges peeled off a 36-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, making it 14-7. Luciano led the Bullet defense, which forced six turnovers and came up with six sacks, with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and six tackles. Defensive end Josh Jerrold made a team-high eight tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a pair of sacks, for Gettysburg while linebacker Jim Holubowich ’08 came up with a fumble recovery and an interception to snuff out two late Ursinus drives. Defensive end Conor Quinn added seven tackles, including 2.5 for loss, while linebacker Harold Barton ’08 made seven tackles, a pair of sacks, and an interception. Nick Dye completed 15 of 29 passes for 223 yards for the Bears but was also intercepted three times. Mike Weyrauch caught seven passes for 85 yards and a touchdown for Ursinus while Aaron Harper ran the ball 20 times for 76 yards. Chris Frank paced the Bear defense with 11 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and a pair of pass breakups.

Scouting Gettysburg
The Bullets continue to post impressive offensive numbers this season, as they amassed 356 yards of total offense against a Muhlenberg defense that was ranked 13th in Division III on Saturday. Led by junior quarterback Matt Flynn, Gettysburg is currently leading the Centennial Conference in pass offense (249.8 ypg) and is one yard behind Muhlenberg for the conference lead in total offense (416.0 ypg). Flynn leads the CC in those two categories, racking up 232.5 passing yards per game and 256.2 yards of total offense per game. Sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga leads the Bullet rushing attack, which is averaging 166.2 yards per game, with 328 yards and three touchdowns. Senior tailback Nick McConnell has added three rushing touchdowns for the Bullets while junior wing Ricky Manigat leads the team in receptions with 22. Sophomore wing Charles Curcio is enjoying another fine all-around season, averaging a team-best 129.5 all-purpose yards per game to go with three touchdowns. Defensively, freshman safety Joe Delaney leads the team with 35 tackles while senior defensive end Josh Jerrold is tops on the team and second in the conference with 4.0 sacks.

Head of the Class
With his 27-20 win over Moravian last season, Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter picked up his 78th Centennial Conference victory, making him the all-time winningest coach in conference history. He passed former Franklin & Marshall coach Tom Gilburg, who won 77 games from 1983-2002. Streeter has gone 80-83-3 in Centennial play since the inception of the conference in 1983.

More on Streeter
Streeter is also the longest-tenured and winningest football coach in Gettysburg history. He surpassed Hen Bream (1927-51), who coached for 22 seasons, in 2000. Streeter won his 105th career game against Muhlenberg in a 1995 to take over the career wins lead. Now in his 30th season as head coach, he has a 147-145-5 (.503) career record.

Scouting Ursinus
Ursinus brings the top-ranked rushing defense into today’s game, as the Bears have yielded just 76.0 yards per outing on the ground thus far. Ursinus has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher and has given up only two rushing touchdowns. The Bears have struggled against the pass, however, and have surrendered 268.3 yards per game through the air. Sophomore linebacker Joe Galie leads the defense with 24 tackles while junior linebacker Nate Mast has made 23 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 2.0 sacks. Senior defensive lineman Adam Kabacinski has also made 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Offensively, Ursinus ranks third in the conference in passing (185.0 ypg), and senior quarterback Nick Dye has yet to throw an interception. He ranks fourth in the league in total offense with 215.0 yards per game. Junior tailback Marc Jaskowski has averaged 83.0 yards rushing over two games while junior receiver Shea Wisler leads the team with 11 receptions for 139 yards. Senior punter Greg Zara has enjoyed a fine start to the season, averaging a conference-leading 38.4 yards per punt.

Ursinus is coached by Peter Gallagher, who is 33-41 in his eighth season with the Bears. He has guided Ursinus to back-to-back winning seasons, with the Bears going 15-6 over the last two years. He directed his team to a berth in the ECAC Southwest Bowl in 2006.

Centennial Conference News

2008-09-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

As promised, The Centennial Conference has finally published their weekly release!

Congratulations to Matt Flynn , Josh Jerrold and Charles Curcio for their recognition on this week's Centennial Conference Honor Roll for their performances in Saturday's game at Muhlenberg.

For more, read this week's Centennial Conference Release which includes a look ahead to this Saturday's home game vs. Ursinus.

Ursinus Week

2008-09-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been waiting for the Centennial Conference to release their weekly report but at last check it wasn't on their Website yet. I'll post another update when I find it!

In the meantime, let's start this week's preview with a look at Ursinus College as outlined in the D3Football.com Kick-off Edition:

Ursinus Bears

Last playoff appearance: 2006
Last year: 7-3, 5-3 CC
Last conference title: 1996
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 158
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 21
Wins increase from 06-07: Minus-1
Preseason ranking: 78 of 239
Players who started camp: 90
Head coach: Peter Gallagher, eighth year, 31-40
Starters returning: 9 (three offense, five defense, one specialists)

Position battle to watch: Most anywhere on offense. With only three starters returning, there will be plenty of new faces on offense. The only positions that seem safe are quarterback (with senior Nicholas Dye, 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns in '07), one receiver (with junior Shea Wisler, 23 catches, 442 yards and three scores) and tight end (junior Carl School, three catches, 51 yards, two touchdowns). The biggest challenge may be finding a whole new line, which graduated two All-Conference players.

Pressure is on: The skill players' hands. Ball security was a major issue for the Bears in 2007. They fumbled the ball 25 times -- 2.5 per game -- and lost possession 15 times. Combined with the quarterbacks' 14 interceptions, that's an unusually high 29 giveaways. Only a ball-hawking defense kept the turnover margin at a more respectable, but still below average, -5.

Where did he come from? Gallagher hopes Eikeem Barron can become a force for the secondary. Like the offense, the defensive backs were hurt by graduation. All-Conference defensive back Ryan VanWright is among those who must be replaced. Barron entered camp with the inside track as becoming the team's starting strong safety.

Their season will be defined by: The game against Muhlenberg. A year ago, the two teams entered the Week 8 game with one combined loss, and the Mules cruised to a 31-7 victory. If the game is as notable this year as it was last year -- and Muhlenberg is a strong favorite in the Centennial -- that means the Bears will have undergone a rather short rebuilding.

Predicted record: 3-7, 3-5

Capsule: This Ursinus football team won't be like last year's, not with so much of the offense and the secondary gone. Even a player that was expected back won't be returning: Running back Aaron Harper, fifth in the conference with 767 yards rushing, has left the program, but Gallagher would not disclose the reasons for Harper's departure. The defense is in slightly better shape, with five returning starters to a unit that ranked second in total defense in 2007.

Flynn Reaches 4,000 Passing Yards, but Bullets Fall at No. 7 Muhlenberg

2008-09-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

Following are reports from yesterday's game at Muhlenberg.

First, from the Gettysburg College Website:

Flynn Reaches 4,000 Passing Yards, but Bullets Fall at No. 7 Muhlenberg

Box Score

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Muhlenberg College scored on five of its last six possessions and the No. 7 Mules won on homecoming, capturing their 14th consecutive regular season game in a 42-21 Centennial Conference win over Gettysburg Saturday afternoon at Scotty Wood Stadium.

Eric Santagato threw for 245 yards on 17-of-27 passing to lead Muhlenberg (3-0, 1-0 CC), which won its CC opener. Phil Cresta caught eight passes for 128 yards while John DeLuca added 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 27 carries for the Mules.

Muhlenberg never trailed after jumping to a 21-0 halftime lead and led by no less than two touchdowns the rest of the way.

Gettysburg (0-4, 0-2 CC), playing a ranked opponent for the first time in three years and a top-10 opponent for the first time in nine years, received 259 yards on 21-of-33 passing from junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional). Flynn also became just the second player in school history to reach 4,000 career passing yards, as he achieved the milestone late in the game. He now has 4,011 yards, trailing only Dennis Flaherty ’01 on the all-time list. Flaherty passed for 5,136 yards from 1997-2000.

Junior wing Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) grabbed seven passes for 56 yards while sophomore receiver Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) had five receptions for 59 yards. Junior tight end A.J. Perrotti (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) caught two passes for a career-high 97 yards while senior tailback Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) rushed for a pair of touchdowns.

The game got off to an inauspicious start for the Bullets, who were called for a holding penalty while receiving the opening kickoff. After going three-and-out, a short punt and a 24-return gave the Mules the ball at the Gettysburg-24. Then on the next play, DeLuca found a hole and raced down the sideline and into the end zone, making it a 7-0 just 1:25 into the game.

The Bullet defense dug in from there, however, holding Muhlenberg to one first down on its next five possessions and forcing a three- or four-and-out on the final four drives of that stretch. On their second possession, the Mules appeared to have rushed for a first down on a fake punt, but the play was called back to a holding penalty.

On Muhlenberg’s fourth possession, senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East) came up with his fourth sack of the year, an eight-yard hit seconds before the end of the first quarter that gave the Bullets the ball on downs.

Including DeLuca’s 24-yard touchdown run, Gettysburg held the Mules to 60 total yards on 15 plays in the opening quarter.

After forcing Muhlenberg to punt for the third time, the Bullets received great field position, as a 13-yard return from sophomore Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) gave his team the ball at the Mule-29. But the Bullets were hit with a holding penalty on the first play of the drive, and three plays later they went for it on fourth-and-four at the Muhlenberg-23. However, Flynn’s pass was broken up by Mark Accomando, and Gettysburg came away empty-handed.

The Bullets came up with one more stop in the opening half, getting another three-and-out when senior linebacker Terence Hartigan (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) made an open-field tackle at the Muhlenberg-29 on third-and-seven to stop DeLuca four yards shy of the first down, prompting the Mules fourth punt of the half.

Gettysburg was held to a three-and-out before the Mulenberg offense caught fire. After taking over at the Mule-32 with 6:27 on the clock, a pair of big plays jumpstarted the hosts. On the first two plays of the drive, Santagato hit Joe Caporoso with a 17-yard pass before DeLuca broke of 26-yard run to Bullet-25. Two plays later, Erik Snyder hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 with 4:36 to go in the half.

After forcing the Bullets to punt for the sixth time in the half, the Mules needed just 2:01 to go 66 yards on eight plays, with DeLuca leaping into the end zone from 1 yard out. Michael Katz’ third straight extra point gave Muhlenberg a 21-0 lead with 50 seconds showing.

The Bullets threatened to score inside the final minute of the half, as a 15-yard run by sophomore Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air), who finished with 60 yards on 12 carries, gave the Bullets the ball at the Gettysburg-45 before Flynn connected with sophomore Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) for a 31-yard pass to the Muhlenberg-9 on the next play. However, Flynn threw the pass beyond the line of scrimmage, resulting in a penalty. Flynn followed up with a 14-yard run to the Mule-44 with five seconds left, but his Hail-Mary pass on the final play of the half was intercepted in the end zone.

Gettysburg got on the scoreboard on its first possession of the second half, driving 91 yards on an 11-play drive that lasted 4:51. Perrotti put the Bullets into Mule territory when he snared a tipped pass down the left sideline, and the 43-yard completion gave Gettysburg the ball at the 30-yard line. Three plays later, Manigat grabbed a pass in the middle of the field and took it to the Mule-1 before Mutunga plowed in for his third touchdown of the season. Senior Josh Huson’s extra point cut the deficit to 21-7 with 7:09 left in the third quarter.

Muhlenberg answered with an 11-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that ate up 6:17. During the march the Mules went 3-for-3 on third downs and scored on a third-and-12. After scrambling out of trouble, Santagato found Edward DeRisi open in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown pass to give the Mules a 28-7 advantage with 40 ticks showing in the third quarter.

Gettysburg pulled to within 14 twice more, but each time the Mules responded with a touchdown. McConnell capped a 12-play, 74-yard drive when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 11:30 left to make it 28-14, but Santagato hit Cresta in stride in the end zone from 33 yards out to give the Mules a 35-14 lead with 7:49 to go.

Another long Flynn-to-Perrotti pass gave the Bullets – this one a 54-yarder – put the Bullets at the Muhlenberg-13, and three plays later McConnell scored on another 1-yard touchdown run. Huson’s third and final PAT gave pulled the visitors to within 35-21 with 6:38 showing.

The Mules converted a third-and-11 on their final drive to halt any chance of a Bullet rally, with Santagato hitting Cresta with an 11-yard pass to the Gettysburg-48. On the next play, he found Cresta again, launching a deep ball into the end zone to set the final score with 4:51 left.

Sophomore cornerback Tairi Mobley (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown), making his first collegiate start, led the Bullet defense with 10 tackles while Hartigan made eight stops, including 1.5 for loss.

Gettysburg returns home next Saturday, when it hosts Ursinus College at 1 p.m. in another Centennial Conference showdown.

From the Muhlenberg College Website:

Football begins defense with 42-21 win

Gettysburg may have had a large supply of Bullets on its sideline, but Muhlenberg had more weapons on the field and began defense of its 2007 Centennial Conference championship with a 42-21 Homecoming win.

The victory extended the Mules’ regular-season winning streak to 14 games, tying the second longest in CC history.

The biggest offensive weapon was the three-headed monster of seniors Eric Santagato and John DeLuca and junior Phil Cresta. Santagato finished 17-of-27 for 245 yards, tying a career high with four touchdowns, and did not throw an interception. DeLuca gained 134 yards on 27 carries to move into 12th place on the CC all-time list with 2,842 career yards. Cresta caught a career-high eight passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns, moving over 1,000 receiving yards for his career.

Going against the top offense in the CC, the fifth-ranked Mules (3-0, 1-0) shut out Gettysburg (0-4, 0-2) in the first half, opening up a 21-0 lead. The game got off to a shaky start for the Bullets, as they were called for a holding penalty on the opening kickoff, went three-and-out an offense, then had a short punt that senior Brandon Doyle returned to the 24-yard line.

On Muhlenberg’s first play from scrimmage, DeLuca ran 24 yards for a quick touchdown just 1:25 into the game.

The score remained 7-0 for most of the first half. Gettysburg had its best chance to score after pinning the Mules inside their own 5 with a punt. The Bullets got the ball back at the Muhlenberg 29, but a fourth-down pass from the 23 was broken up by sophomore Mark Accomando.

The Mules went 58 yards in four plays to double their lead on Santagato’s 19-yard pass to senior Erik Snyder with 4:36 left in the half.

Muhlenberg held Gettysburg without a first down and regained possession with 2:51 on the clock. Consecutive completions of 12 and 21 yards by Santagato to Cresta put the ball at the 1, and DeLuca carried over with 49.4 seconds left to complete the eight-play TD drive.

Each team scored three touchdowns in the second half as the offenses took over, but the Bullets never got closer than two scores. Santagato threw a scoring strike of 19 yards to senior Edward DeRisi after escaping a sack in the backfield, and found Cresta on similar 33- and 35-yard touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

The Mules finished with 442 total yards in beginning a season with three straight 30-point efforts for the first time since 2000. Muhlenberg has scored at least 30 points in eight of its last nine regular-season games (and put up 29 in the other).

Accomando recorded a career-high seven tackles and two pass breakups. Junior Frank Emmett also made seven stops, including two for loss, and senior Matt Rathbun intercepted a pass for the second straight week.

Click here for box score.
Click here for complete stats.

From The Harrisburg Patriot-News:

DIVISION III: MUHLENBERG 42, GETTYSBURG 21

D-3 power outscores Gettysburg

Sunday, September 28, 2008

From staff reports

ALLENTOWN - Quarterback Matt Flynn reached a Gettysburg College milestone Saturday, but Muhlenberg did most of the damage in a 42-21 Centennial Conference football victory.

Muhlenberg (3-0, 1-0), ranked seventh nationally in Division III, scored on five of its last six possessions to win its 14th consecutive regular-season game.

Eric Santagato threw for 245 yards and John DeLuca picked up 134 yards on the ground for the Mules.

For Gettysburg (0-4, 0-2), Flynn become the second player in school history to pass for 4,000 career yards. The junior from Northfield, N.J., completed 21 of 33 passes for 259 yards.

Tailback Nick McConnell (Cedar Crest) scored a pair of touchdowns for the Bullets, but they could never close the gap after falling behind 21-0 at the half.

From the Allentown Morning Call:

Mules jump on Bullets early, win 42-21

Extend Centennial Conference winning streak to 14 games.

By Bradley A. Huebner Special to The Morning Call

September 28, 2008

Muhlenberg College scored on its first play of the game then twice late to preserve a lead en route to a convincing 42-21 Homecoming win over Gettysburg on Saturday at Scotty Wood Stadium's Frank Marino Field.

The victory pushed the Mules to 3-0 and extended their Centennial Conference winning streak to 14, tied for second all-time with Dickinson (1987-88), 16 behind McDaniel (1997-99).

Ranked fifth nationally in Division III, Muhlenberg showed that its defense, while young, remains talented. The Mules limited the Bullets' high-powered offense, which had been averaging a league-best 436 yards per game, to 21 points, none in the first half when Muhlenberg jumped ahead 21-0.

''We prepared for them just like we did last year [when Muhlenberg escaped a close contest],'' said junior defensive end Frank Emmett, one of four Mules with seven tackles and one of two with a pair of tackles for loss. ''Coach Donnelly strategized perfectly for them. We know how explosive they can be.''

Muhlenberg set the tone offensively right away. After Brandon Doyle returned Gettysburg's first punt 24 yards to the Bullets' 24, running back John DeLuca rushed right for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead. DeLuca chiseled his way to 134 yards on 27 carries. He scored on runs of 24 and 1 yard to stake the hosts to a 21-0 halftime lead over the Bullets (0-4).

In the second half, after Gettysburg pulled to within 21-7, it started stacking the box with seven, eight and even nine defenders to stop DeLuca.

Muhlenberg adjusted by twice calling their ''Indiana'' play, a play-action fake to DeLuca that freezes the safety. Twice in the second half, quarterback Eric Santagato hit receiver Phil Cresta for touchdowns, one from 33 yards and another from 35.

They turned a potentially competitive 28-14 contest into a 42-21 romp.

''I knew the safety was biting on the play-action fake,'' said Cresta, a 6-3, 190-pound junior who also was 8-3 as a pitcher for the Mules' baseball team. ''I knew if Eric led me enough it would be the same result.''

Santagato finished the day 17-for-27 for 245 yards and four touchdowns.

Playing against Gettysburg and intrepid quarterback Matt Flynn, Muhlenberg could not score too many points. Flynn completed 21 of 33 passes for 259 yards. The Mules sacked him three times, however, and intercepted him twice.

By the time Flynn found his comfort zone in the second half, it was too late.

Gettysburg scored on a 68-yard drive in just 3:32, then again on a 63-yard drive in just 1:03 in the fourth quarter to pull to within 35-21 with 6:38 left.

''They make you play assignment-perfect football,'' Muhlenberg coach Mike Donnelly said of Gettysburg and its four-receiver spread attack. ''They have a legitimate quarterback and they run all those options. They're just outstanding on offense.''

Muhlenberg wasn't so bad, either, with 442 yards against a defense that has given up 155 points in four losses. The Mules answered the Bullets' late surge with a six-play, 72-yard drive, capped by Cresta's second touchdown. That came after Cresta caught an 11-yard pass on third-and-11 two plays earlier to sustain the drive.

Bullets Prepare for Showdown with No. 7 Muhlenberg

2008-09-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

The following preview was taken from the Gettysburg College Website:

Football Prepares for Showdown with No. 7 Muhlenberg

Complete Game Notes (PDF)

The Game
For the first time in three years, Gettysburg plays a ranked opponent as it travels to Allentown, Pa. to take on No. 7 Muhlenberg College, the defending Centennial Conference champion, on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Bullets are seeking their first victory of the season against the Mules, who will be playing their Centennial Conference opener. Gettysburg last played a ranked team on Oct. 14, 2005, falling 14-0 to No. 18 Johns Hopkins, and the Bullets haven’t played a top-10 opponent since their 44-0 loss to No. 7 McDaniel in 1999.

Game Coverage
An audio broadcast of Saturday's game is available at http://www.muhlenberg.edu/wmuh/realaud.html. Also, livestats are available at http://www.muhlenberg.edu/sports/livestats/xlive.htm.

Series Notes
Gettysburg leads Muhlenberg 41-30-1 in the all-time series that dates back to 1907. However, the Mules have captured seven of the last eight meetings, including the last two. Gettysburg last defeated Muhlenberg in 2005, winning 10-3 at home. The Bullets are seeking their first victory in Allentown since 1996.

Last Time Out
Andrew Kase rushed for 173 yards and tied a school record with four touchdown runs as Johns Hopkins spoiled Gettysburg’s homecoming, topping the Bullets 49-37 in the Centennial Conference opener for both teams on Saturday. The Bullets trailed by as much as 18 in the second half before pulling to within five (42-37) after a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. However, the Blue Jays put the game away with a late touchdown of their own. Junior quarterback Matt Flynn threw for a career-high 337 yards and four touchdowns on 26-of-39 passing to lead the Bullets. Junior wing Ricky Manigat caught eight passes for 96 yards, both career-highs, while sophomore receiver Brian Betley had a career-high five receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore wing Charles Curcio added four catches for a career-high 86 yards and two TDs and finished with 178 all-purpose yards. Sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga recorded his second-straight 100-yard rushing game for the Bullets, racking up a career-high 119 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries.

Coming off their bye week, Muhlenberg went on the road to defeat Union College, 31-14, in a non-conference outing. Senior quarterback Eric Santagato was responsible for all four of the Mules touchdowns, throwing for two and rushing for two. Senior John DeLuca added 134 yards on 30 carriers for the Mules, who broke out to an early 14-0 lead after forcing turnovers on each of Union’s first two possessions. Sophomore linebacker Scott Gavin intercepted a pass on the second play of the game for Muhlenberg before junior defensive end Jake Floyd forced a fumble with a second on the third play of the Dutchmen’s second drive. The Mule defense finished with seven sacks and held Union to 43 yards rushing.

Last Season’s Game
Chris Swenson blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt by Josh Huson with 34 seconds left, and Muhlenberg held on to defeat the Bullets 14-13 in a defensive showdown in Gettysburg last season. Gettysburg’s defense held the Mules to 67 yards rushing and 222 total yards, while Muhlenberg, which trailed 10-0 at the half, limited the Bullets to 78 yards passing and 246 total yards. The two teams combined to go just 2-for-25 on third downs and 11 of the first 12 drives resulted in a punt. Tailback Tom Sturges ’08 finished with 88 yards and one touchdown on 25 carriers for Gettysburg while John DeLuca carried the ball 27 times for 87 yards. Eric Santagato completed 13 of 21 passes and had a hand in each of Muhlenberg’s touchdowns, posting a 9-yard touchdown pass and a 2-yard touchdown run.

Flynn Eyes School TD Record
After his four-TD peformance against Johns Hopkins last week, junior quarterback Matt Flynn moved into third on Gettysburg’s career touchdown passes list. He has now thrown for 29 career TDs, just three behind Jim Ward ’66 for second and four behind Dennis Flaherty’s ’01 school record of 33. Flynn also ranks second on the Bullets career charts for pass completions (275), passing yards (3,752), and is third in pass attempts (549).

More on Flynn
Not only is Flynn leading the Centennial Conference in passing (223.7 ypg), but he is also tops in the conference and 37th in Division III in total offense (260.0 ypg). A two-way threat, he is averaging 36.3 yards rushing per game. His 337-yard passing performance against Johns Hopkins marked the first time a Bullet quarterback surpassed 300 yards since Hunter McMillan ’08 threw for 404 yards against Hampden-Sydney in 2005.

Lighting up the Scoreboard
Once again, Gettysburg’s Spread Wing offense is leading the Centennial Conference in numerous categories. The Bullets lead the league in total offense (436.0 ypg), pass offense (246.7 ypg), and third-down conversions (47.6%) and are ranked second in first downs (47).

Scouting Gettysburg
The Bullets have received outstanding balance from their offense thus far, scoring the same number of rushing and receiving touchdowns (six apiece). Sophomore Jamel Mutunga has led the Gettysburg ground game with 89.3 yards per game and two touchdowns while senior Nick McConnell had added 43.3 yards per game and an additional TD. Junior quarterback Matt Flynn has thrown for 223.7 yards per game and five touchdowns this season and has rushed for 36.3 yards per game and a TD. Nine different Bullets have caught a pass this season, with junior wing Ricky Manigat leading the way with 15 receptions for 170 yards. Sophomore wing Charles Curcio has added nine catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns while sophomore receiver Brian Betley has hauled in eight passes for 167 yards and a pair of TDs. Defensively, junior defensive end Josh Jerrold has recorded 3.0 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss. Freshman safety Joe Delaney leads the team with 30 tackles while senior linebacker Dean Staley has made 28 stops.

Head of the Class
With his 27-20 win over Moravian last season, Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter picked up his 78th Centennial Conference victory, making him the all-time winningest coach in conference history. He passed former Franklin & Marshall coach Tom Gilburg, who won 77 games from 1983-2002. Streeter has gone 80-82-3 in Centennial play since the inception of the conference in 1983.

More on Streeter
Streeter is also the longest-tenured and winningest football coach in Gettysburg history. He surpassed Hen Bream (1927-51), who coached for 22 seasons, in 2000. Streeter won his 105th career game against Muhlenberg in a 1995 to take over the career wins lead. Now in his 30th season as head coach, he has a 147-145-5 (.503) career record.

Scouting Muhlenberg
With their win over Union last week, the Mules upped the regular season winning streak to 13. Muhlenberg has received outstanding defense and leads the Centennial Conference in both rushing defense (68.0 ypg) and pass defense (134.0 ypg). The Mule offense, ranked second in scoring (32.5 ppg), is led by senior tailback John DeLuca, the current Centennial Conference rushing leader at 150.5 ypg. Through the team’s first two games, senior quarterback Eric Santagato has passed for 422 yards and five touchdowns while throwing just one interception. He has completed 61.7% of his passes. His favorite target has been junior Phil Cresta, who has caught 12 passes for 227 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Senior linebacker Matt Rathbun leads a defense that has racked up 9.0 sacks, posting a team-leading 16 tackles to with 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, and an interception.

Muhlenberg is coached by Mike Donnelly, now in his 12th year at the helm. He has accumulated a career record of 74-45 and was named the D3football.com regional coach of the year last season after directing the Mules to their first undefeated regular season in the 106-year program history.

Next Week
Gettysburg returns to action next Saturday, when it hosts Ursinus College in another Centennial Conference game starting at 1 p.m. during Family Weekend.

Muhlenberg Week Previews

2008-09-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

Today we will start to look ahead to Saturdays road game at Muhlenberg. The following was taken from the D3Football.com Kick-off Edition:

Muhlenberg Mules

Last playoff appearance: 2007
Last year: 11-1, 8-0 CC
Last conference title: 2007
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 78
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 3
Wins increase from 06-07: Plus-6
Preseason ranking: 8 of 239
Players who started camp: 101
Head coach: Mike Donnelly, 11th year, 72-45
Starters returning: 17 (ten offense, six defense, one specialists)

Position battle to watch: Defensive end. The Mules must replace departed seniors Chris Musselman and Chris Swensen, both of whom were first-team All-Conference. Among those in the running are juniors Ewan Wright and Frank Emmett, but two more juniors may fight for playing time. Jake Floyd has spent time at fullback and the defensive line, but could find a permanent home on the latter. Jeremiah Lachaud impressed Donnelly with his work in the Mules' nickel package, and the coach hopes Lachaud can develop into an every-down player.

Pressure is on: Well, no individual. Expectations were high and the Mules were the preseason pick to finish at the top of the conference, so there is inherent pressure on the team already.

Where did he come from? Though John DeLuca had an excellent season in 2007 -- second in the Centennial with 1,645 rushing yards and first with 17 all-purpose touchdowns -- Donnelly said that many people don't know much about DeLuca and his potential.

Their season will be defined by: The season opener against Wilkes. The two teams had scrimmaged for 11 years, but will now face each other in a meaningful game. The Colonels are just two years removed from an 11-1 season (they dropped to 4-6 in '07, though four losses came by less a touchdown) and are picked fourth in this year's MAC preseason poll.

Predicted record: 10-0, 8-0

Capsule: Muhlenberg's dominating run to the 2007 Centennial title has not hindered expectations for this season. Donnelly plans to combat that by reminding his players that, at the moment, there's only one thing they can control: how they practice. Focusing on the small things -- down to the next rep -- will take care of the bigger things, Donnelly believes. But with 17 starters back, including four All-Conference performers, it's easy to appreciate the Mules' talent. After the graduation of Gettysburg's Tom Sturges, senior John DeLuca now appears to be the top running back in the conference. If there is a hole, it may be at linebacker, where two All-Conference players graduated.

Centennial Conference News

2008-09-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Matt Flynn and Charles Curcio for their recognition on this week's Centennial Conference Honor Roll for their performances in Saturday's game vs. Johns Hopkins.

For more, read this week's Centennial Conference Release which includes a look ahead to this Saturday's roadtrip to Muhlenberg.

Blue Jays Fly By Bullets on Homecoming, 49-37

2008-09-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Blue Jays Fly By Bullets on Homecoming, 49-37

Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Andrew Kase rushed for 173 yards and tied a school record with four touchdown runs as Johns Hopkins University spoiled Gettysburg’s homecoming, topping the Bullets 49-37 in the Centennial Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at a sunny Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.

The Blue Jays (3-0, 1-0 CC) stayed undefeated with the win while Gettysburg (0-3, 0-1 CC) lost its third straight to open the season. It was also just the second time in the last seven years that the Bullets lost their homecoming game.

Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) threw for a career-high 337 yards and four touchdowns on 26-of-39 passing to lead the Bullets. Junior wing Ricky Manigat caught eight passes for 96 yards, both career-highs, while sophomore receiver Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) had a career-high five receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore wing Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) added four catches for a career-high 86 yards and two TDs and finished with 178 all-purpose yards.

Sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) recorded his second-straight 100-yard rushing game for the Bullets, racking up a career-high 119 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries.

Hewitt Tomlin completed 18 of 31 passes for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Johns Hopkins passing attack while Tucker Michels caught seven passes for 96 yards.

It was the second straight shootout for the Bullets, who lost 45-40 to Hampden-Sydney a week ago in which the team teams combined for 1,118 yards of total offense. This week, Gettysburg and the Blue Jays combined for 1,006 total yards, with the Bullets holding a 509-497 edge.

Johns Hopkins took the lead for good on a 26-yard halfback option pass from Dan Crowley to Nick Fazio with 6:26 left in the opening half, making it a 28-21 game. A 25-yard field goal from senior Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) drew the Bullets to within 28-24 at the half, but the Blue Jays pulled away in the second half, scoring the first two touchdowns in the third quarter to open up an 18-point advantage Gettysburg was unable to overcome.

Although the first half was dominated by offense, it actually started with a Gettysburg goal line stand. On the opening drive, the Blue Jays marched 72 yards and set up with a first-and-goal at the Bullet-4. After a three-yard gain on second down, Hopkins had two opportunities to punch it in, but were denied on the run twice. Kase was stuffed on third down before Tomlin was stood up by a host of defenders, including senior defensive end Conor Quinn (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery).

An offensive display was in store for the remainder of the half. After the Bullets were forced to punt on their first possession – their only punt of the half – the Blue Jays went 75 yards on 11 yards before Kase ran it in from 2 yards out with 2:08 left in the first quarter, making it 7-0. It was only the start for Kase, who rushed for 116 of his yards in the opening half.

The Bullets answered right back, going 71 yards on six plays, with Curcio catching a pass over the middle and racing down the right sideline for a 48-yard touchdown reception.

Gettysburg took the lead when freshman Brandon Payne (New Castle, Del./William Penn) forced a fumble on the kickoff, and junior Bruce Evans (Atlantic City, N.J./Saint Augustine Prep) pounced on it at the Hopkins-22. Two plays later – the first play of the second quarter – Flynn hit Curcio in the middle of the end zone for a 22-yard scoring strike, making it 14-7.

Kase tied it up for the Blue Jays with a 5-yard touchdown run before Gettysburg went back on top when Flynn launched a 60-yard touchdown pass deep down the right side to Betley, making it 21-14 in favor of the Bullets with 12:28 left in the half. The Blue Jays came back with an 11-play, 69-yard drive that ate up 5:10, and Kase scored his third touchdown of the game from 2 yards out to make it a 21-21 game with 7:17 showing.

Johns Hopkins then capitalized on a Gettysburg turnover, recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. A.J. Safi jarred the ball loose from freshman Ryan Hinton (Florham Park, N.J./Hanover Park) with a vicious hit, and Mike Todisco fell on the pigskin at the Bullet-26. Three plays later, Tomlin fired a lateral to the left flank to Crowley, who lobbed a pass the opposite way to a wide-open Fazio on the right side of the field. Fazio jogged in the final 10 yards for the score, making it 28-21 with 6:26 left in the half.

The Bullets put together a 14-play, 55-yard drive with Huson capping the march with his field goal that deflected off a defender’s fingers before bouncing off the left upright and the crossbar before falling through, making it 28-24 at the half.

Another turnover proved to be costly for the Bullets at the start of the second half. Chris Baldwin made his third interception of the season for the Blue Jays and returned it 33 yards to the Gettysburg-45. Eight plays later, Kase scored his fourth touchdown, this one from 1 yard out as Hopkins extended its lead to 35-24.

After forcing a Bullet punt, the Blue Jays went on another scoring drive, this time moving 59 yards on 10 plays before Tomlin hooked up with David Rokeach for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 3:17 left in the third quarter to make it 42-24.

Gettysburg came up with its first defensive stop of the second half early in the fourth quarter, and on the first play after a Blue Jay punt, Mutunga broke off a 38-yard rush to the Hopkins-43. Five plays later, Flynn found junior wing Michael McInerney (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Saint Joseph Regional) in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Huson’s fourth PAT made it 42-31 with 12:35 left.

After forcing a second straight punt, Gettysburg took over at the Bullet-17 and marched the rest of the field on an 83-yard drive. Mutunga appeared to have run up the middle for a 17-yard touchdown run, lunging over the goal line as he was dragged down, but he was ruled down at the 1-yard line. But he bulled in for the score one play later. However, Flynn’s two-point conversion was incomplete, and Gettysburg trailed 42-37 with 7:44 to go.

The Bullets needed a stop on the Blue Jays ensuing possession, but a big 45-pass from Tomlin to Crowley put Hopkins at the Gettysburg-11. Two plays later, Tomlin gave the Jays some breathing room, connecting with Michels for a 12-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline, setting the final score with 5:22 left.

Gettysburg turned the ball over on downs on its final drive, and the Blue Jays ran out the final 1:49.

Sam Eagleson finished with a game-high 12 tackles for Johns Hopkins while senior linebacker Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) and freshman safety Joe Delaney (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) made 11 tackles apiece. Senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East) also had seven tackles, including 2.0 for loss and one sack.

The Bullets return to action next Saturday, when they visit No. 6-ranked Muhlenberg College in another Centennial Conference showdown starting at 1 p.m.

Now for the Johns Hopkins perspective. The following is taken from their Website:

Kase, Tomlin Lead Hopkins Past Gettysburg, 49-37

Kase Ties JHU Record With Four Rushing Touchdowns in Victory

Box Score

GETTYSBURG, PA - It was Homecoming at Gettysburg on Saturday and the Johns Hopkins offense put on a show for the alumni as junior running back Andrew Kase (Wyomissing, PA/Wyomissing) rushed for 173 yards and tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns and freshman Hewitt Tomlin (Jackson, TN/Trinity Christian) threw for 260 yards and two more scores as the Blue Jays knocked off the Bullets, 49-37, in the Centennial Conference opener for both teams. The win improves Hopkins' record to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Centennial, while Gettysburg falls to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the league. The win is the fourth straight for the Blue Jays dating back to last season.

Hopkins led 28-24 at the half and took control with back-to-back touchdowns in the third quarter. A Chris Baldwin (Southampton, NJ/Bishop Eustace) interception on Gettysburg's first drive of the second half set the Blue Jays up at the Gettysburg 45. Eight plays and a pair of third-down conversions later Kase went in from a yard out to extend the lead to 35-24. It was that touchdown that tied the JHU single-game school record for rushing touchdowns.

After forcing the Bullets to punt for the first time on their next possession, Tomlin directed a nifty 10-play, 59-yard drive that he capped with a 16-yard touchdown pass to junior David Rokeach (Colonie, Ny/Christian Brothers Academy) on a third-and-11 play. The Blue Jays converted three third-down opportunities on the drive, including a 12-yard run by Kase on a third-and-six near midfield. Rokeach's touchdown gave the Blue Jays what appeared was a comfortable 42-24 lead entering the final quarter.

The Bullets had other ideas and sliced the 18-point deficit to five with a pair of touchdowns in the first 7:16 of the fourth quarter. A 12-yard touchdown pass from Matt Flynn (Northfield, NJ/Mainland) to Mike McInerney (Hasbrouch Heights, NJ/St. Joseph) made it 42-31 with 12:35 to play and a one-yard run by Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, MD/Bel Air) just under five minutes later made it 42-37. Flynn's pass on the two-point attempt after Mutunga's touchdown sailed out of the back of the end zone.

Needing a time-consuming drive to put the game away, the Blue Jays instead went for the knockout punch and needed just five plays to go 60 yards in 2:15 to seal their sixth win in their last seven road games. Tomlin hit sophomore Dan Crowley (Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock) on a 45-yard pass on the second play of the drive and hit Tucker Michels (Allendale, NJ/Northern Highlands) from 12 yards out three plays later to make it 49-37.

The frenetic pace started right away as the Blue Jays led 7-0 after Kase's two-yard touchdown run capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive late in the first quarter. That lead lasted for less than three minutes as the high-octane Bullet offense got untracked and needed just 1:53 to answer. Charles Curcio (Hammonton, NJ/St. Joseph) caught the first of his two touchdowns in a span of 26 seconds - a 48-yard screen pass from Flynn - to pull the Bullets even and added a 22-yard scoring reception two plays later after Gettysburg recovered a fumble on the kickoff after his first touchdown.

The Blue Jays scored three of the next four touchdowns to take a 28-21 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first half. Kase, who ended the first half with 116 yards and three touchdowns, sandwiched scoring runs of five and two yards around a 60-yard touchdown pass from Flynn to Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) to make it 21-21 with 7:17 remaining before halftime.

Kase's second touchdown, which came on a sprint to the corner of the end zone on fourth-and-goal, capped an 11-play, 69-yard drive to knot the game.

A great open-field tackle by freshman A.J. Safi (Allentown, PA/Salisbury) on the ensuing kickoff forced a fumble that the Blue Jays came up with at the Gettysburg 26-yard line. Three plays later head coach Jim Margraff pulled out a trick play as Tomlin fired a lateral to Crowley, who in turn through all the way back across the field to a wide open Nick Fazio (McMurray, PA/Peters Township) inside the five yard line and Fazio easily scored the touchdown that gave the Blue Jays the lead for good at 28-21.

A Josh Huson (McLean, VA/McLean) 25-yard field goal with 1:12 remaining in the first half cut the deficit to 28-24 and Gettysburg had the first possession of the second half, but Baldwin's interception ignited the two-touchdown surge for the Blue Jays, who improve to 3-0 for the fifth time in seven years with the win.

Kase is the first Johns Hopkins running back to rush for four touchdowns in a game since 1990 and his 173-yard effort is the second-best of his career. He is just the fourth player to rush for four touchdowns in a game at Johns Hopkins and he jumped to 13th on JHU's career rushing list as he now has 1,653 yards in his career. Tomlin's 260 yards passing are the most by a Johns Hopkins freshman since Margraff threw for 269 against then Western Maryland in 1978. His 260 yards are the third-most ever by a Johns Hopkins freshman.

Michels had seven receptions for 96 yards and the one score, while sophomore D.J. Hartigan (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) added five receptions for 53 yards. Crowley threw the one touchdown and added three receptions for 67 yards as the Blue Jays rolled up 286 yards through the air and 211 on the ground.

Flynn was 26-of-39 for a career-high 337 yards with the four touchdown passes and Mutunga added a career-high 119 yards rushing and the one touchdown to fuel a Gettysburg offense that rolled up 509 yards of total offense.

The 49-point effort is the third-highest for the Blue Jays in the 36-game series with Gettysburg and marks the third straight game JHU has scored 34 or more points. This is the first time Johns Hopkins has scored 34 or more points in three straight games since early in the 2000 season.

Johns Hopkins will return to action next Saturday when the Blue Jays play at Moravian. The Greyhounds improve to 3-0 on the year with a 23-16 win at Lebanon Valley earlier today.

Friday Notes and News

2008-09-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

First off, this is from The Centennial Conference "Friday Tailgate":

Johns Hopkins (2-0) at Gettysburg (0-2)
Video: Pay-per-View. Radio: none. Live Stats: Yes

The Bullets lead the all-time series, 20-13-2 ... Hopkins has won six of the last seven games at the Battlefield, but Gettysburg won the last meeting in 2006 ... Hopkins freshman QB Hewitt Tomlin completed 19-of-39 passes for 195 yards and three TDs vs. Randolph-Macon ... RB Andrew Kase had 95 yards rushing and scored the game-winning touchdown in the 3rd overtime ... Hopkins is 4-for-4 in red zone scoring this season ... DB Chris Baldwin and LB Colin Wixted are 1-2 in the CC in tackles ... Gettysburg amassed 475 yards of total offense, but surrendered 643 to the high-powered Hampden-Sydney "O" ... the 1,118 combined yards is the third-highest single-game total in Centennial history, while the 40 points in the third-highest total by a team in a loss in CC annals ... P Brian Betley leads the Conference with a 40.8 yard average ... DB Joe Delaney and LB Tim Widdoes are 2-4 in the CC in tackles.

The following was taken from today's Harrisburg Patriot-News:

JOHNS HOPKINS AT GETTYSBURG:
After losing its season opener at Lebanon Valley, Gettysburg piled up plenty of offense in its home opener, but still lost to Hampden-Sydney 45-40 Saturday. The Bullets (0-2) will open Centennial play by hosting unbeaten Johns Hopkins (2-0) in a 1 p.m. game Saturday. Gettysburg tailback Nick McConnell (Cedar Crest) cut Hampden-Sydney's margin to five with a late TD in the closing minutes, but the visitors covered the ensuing onside kick, preventing the Bullets from having a shot at the winning score.

Johns Hopkins-Gettysburg Football Notes

2008-09-17T10:02:00.001-07:00

The following preview was taken from the Johns Hopkins Website:

Johns Hopkins-Gettysburg Football Notes

Blue Jays, Bullets Meet for 36th Time - JHU Looking for Fifth 3-0 Start in Last Seven Years

Sept. 17, 2008

Johns Hopkins-Gettysburg Football Notes in PDF Format

The Game: Johns Hopkins (2-0) hits the road for the second of three straight road games as the Blue Jays travel to Gettysburg (0-2). This is the Centennial Conference-opener for both teams.

A Look Back: Johns Hopkins erased an early 14-0 deficit and knocked off Randolph-Macon, 39-31, in triple overtime last Saturday in Ashland, Virginia. Gettysburg rolled up 40 points and 475 yards of total offense, but dropped a 45-40 decision at home against Hampden-Sydney.

The Coaches: Johns Hopkins is coached by Jim Margraff `82, who is in his 19th season as the head coach at Homewood. Margraff is JHU's all-time leader in games won (113) and coached (185) and he enters the game with a career record of 113-69-3 (.619). More information about Jim Margraff can be found on the second page of this week's game notes.
The Dean of Centennial Conference head coaches, Barry Streeter is now in his 29th season as the head coach at Gettysburg. Streeter sports an all-time record of 147-144-5 and has guided the Bullets to three Centennial Conference Championships. He is the all-time winningest coach in league history (by victories) with an 80-81-3 all-time record in Centennial Conference games.

Captain, My Captain: In a vote of his teammates, junior running back Andrew Kase was selected to serve as the team captain for the Blue Jays this season. According to records in the Johns Hopkins Sports Information Office, he is the first player to serve as a solo captain for the Blue Jay football team since 1983 (Francis Mullan).

On This Date: Johns Hopkins has played four previous games on September 20 and sports a 2-2 record in those four games. The Blue Jays have won two straight games played on this date, including a 24-0 win against Randolph-Macon (2003) in their last outing on September 20.

Road Openers: Johns Hopkins ran its winning streak to eight games in road-openers with last week's 39-31 triple overtime victory at Randolph-Macon. The Blue Jays last lost their first road game of the season in 2000, when they fell to Washington & Lee (32-19).

Road Warriors: Last week's win at Randolph-Macon was JHU's fourth straight win away from Homewood Field and improved the Blue Jays' record to 5-1 in road games since the start of the 2007 season. JHU's only loss on the road since the start of last season was a tough 28-21 setback at eventual league champion Muhlenberg last September. JHU is 27-10 on the road since the start of the 2001 season.

September Reign: Johns Hopkins is 23-9 in the month of Septmeber since the start of the 2000 season and 34-14 since the start of the 1995 season.

Streaking: Since the start of the 2002 season the Blue Jays sport a 47-19 (.712) record. Taking it back farther the Blue Jays are 53-22 (.707) since the start of the 2001 season and 58-27 (.682) since the begininng of the 2000 season. The 58 wins the Blue Jays have amassed this decade are already the most wins in a decade in school history. The previous record of 55 wins came in the 1990s.

Working Overtime: The 39-31 overtime win at Randolph-Macon was JHU's first overtime game since a 21-14 win at Washington & Lee in the 2002 season-opener (one overtime period). The Blue Jays are also now 2-2 all-time in overtime and all four extra-session games the Blue Jays have played in their history have been on the road.

Centennial Openers: Johns Hopkins has been one of the most successul teams in the Centennial Conference in league openers as the Blue Jays have won 14 of their last 17 Centennial openers and are 14-4 under head coach Jim Margraff in CC lid lifters. JHU's record in Centennial openers before Margraff took over in 1990 was 1-6 and JHU's overall record in such games (15-10) ranks as the second-best in league history. Only Franklin & Marshall, which fashions a 17-8 all-time record in Centennial-openers, sports a better record than Johns Hopkins.

In the Zone: Johns Hopkins was by far the most effective offensive team in the Centennial Conference in the red zone during the 2007 season. The Blue Jays finished the year 25-of-27 (92.6%) on the year with 17 touchdowns and eight field goals to their credit. The Blue Jays are a perfect 4-of-4 on trips to the red zone through two games and are now 29-of-31 (.935) since the start of the 2007 season.

34+: Johns Hopkins scored 34 points in the season-opening win against St. Lawrence (34-3) and added 39 in last week's triple overtime victory against Randolph-Macon (39-31). This marks the first time Johns Hopkins has scored 34 points or more in back-to-back games since posting back-to-back wins against Rochester (34-17) and Kean (35-17) to open the 2004 season. JHU has not scored 34 or more points in three straight games since early in the 2000 season.

Seven's Heaven: Since the beginning of the 2003 season the Blue Jays are 38-12 when scoring more than seven points and 0-5 when they have been held to seven points or less.

Defense Strikes Again: Freshman Tyler Brown returned a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown last week after sacking Randolph-Macon quarterback Brandon Braner late in the third quarter. That gives the Blue Jays four defensive touchdowns in two games this season and six non-offensive touchdowns in the last three games dating back to last season (five defensive and one kickoff return).

It's All Academic: Johns Hopkins has earned 26 CoSIDA Academic All-District selections since 2003. JHU's 26 selections in that time are more than the other CC football-playing schools combined (22). Taking it back even farther, Johns Hopkins has earned 52 CoSIDA Academic All-District selections since 1991. During that time the other CC football-playing schools have combined for exactly 52 selections as well.Johns Hopkins has had at least three players earn CoSIDA Academic All-District honors every year since 2001.

Bullets, Blue Jays Set to Clash in Homecoming Duel

2008-09-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

The following Homecoming Game preview is taken from the Gettysburg College Website:

Bullets, Blue Jays Set to Clash in Homecoming Duel

Complete Game Notes (PDF)

Conference Opener
Saturday’s game marks the start of a new season of sorts for both Gettysburg (0-2) and Johns Hopkins (2-0), as the two squads play their Centennial Conference opener this afternoon. Gettysburg has captured two of its last three conference openers, including a 41-10 victory at Johns Hopkins last season and a 20-17 win over McDaniel in 2005. The Blue Jays are seeking their first win in a conference opener since 2005, when they defeated Dickinson 35-14.

Game Coverage
A live webcast of Saturday's game, with Josh Scheinblum '10 calling the action, is available on a pay-per-view basis at http://www.gettysburgsports.com/member/bridge.asp?url=/member/aa_signup.aspx.

Welcome Home!
Gettysburg is holding its Homecoming festivities this weekend, and at halftime of Saturday’s game, the newest members of College’s Hall of Athletic Honor will be recognized before they are officially inducted later in the evening. The 2008 HOAH class will consist of Frieda Behrens Wyant ’95 (cross country, track & field), Jason Dell ’95 (wrestling), Jacquie Gatti Truluck ’94 (women’s basketball, softball), Stan Gray ’77 (baseball, football), and Jack Hathaway ’59 (men’s basketball, men’s soccer).

Series Notes
Gettysburg leads Johns Hopkins 20-13-2 in the all-time series that dates back to 1911. The Bullets have won each of the last two meetings following an 11-game winning streak by the Blue Jays from 1995-2005. Prior to that, Gettysburg had won 16 of the 17 meetings from 1949-94.

Home, Sweet Home
Gettysburg has enjoyed outstanding success at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium in recent history, winning 11 of their last 14 games at home. The Bullets were 3-2 on their home turf last season after going 5-0 in 2006 and 4-1 in 2005.

Last Time Out
Gettysburg piled up 475 yards of total offense, including 260 on the ground, but came up short in a 45-40 loss to Hampden-Sydney in the Bullets home opener last Saturday. Gettysburg trailed by as much as 12 late in the game but cut it to five following a 1-yard touchdown run from senior tailback Nick McConnell with 1:35 left. But the Tigers smothered the ensuing on-side kick to seal their victory. Sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga led Gettysburg’s rushing attack, tying a career-high with 114 yards and one touchdown in his second collegiate start. The Bullets also received a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown by sophomore cornerback John Dickerson and a 22-yard touchdown pass from sophomore holder Billy Giannone to junior tight end A.J. Perrotti on a faked field goal.

Johns Hopkins is coming off a thrilling 39-31 triple-overtime victory at Randolph-Macon a week ago. Junior running back Andrew Case scored on a 3-yard run on the Blue Jays third overtime possession, and Hopkins was forced to go for two per the NCAA two-point conversion rule in the third OT. Freshman quarterback Hewitt Tomlin then found sophomore tight end Brian Hopkins for the conversion pass. Sophomore safety Mike Mahon sealed the Blue Jays victory when he intercepted a pass in the end zone on Randolph-Macon’s ensuing possession. Tomlin finished the day with 195 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions on 19-of-39 passing while Kase totaled 95 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries. Hopkins fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter but got back into it with a 21-0 run over the second and third quarters.

Last Season’s Game
Gettysburg raced out to a 28-0 lead and never looked back, defeating Johns Hopkins University 41-10 on a Friday night in Baltimore. Tailback Tom Sturges ’08 rushed for 148 yards on 31 carries while quarterback Matt Flynn ran for a career-high 119 yards and two touchdowns on just eight attempts, marking the first time a Gettysburg quarterback rushed for 100 yards in four years. Flynn also completed 7 of 14 passes for 128 yards and an additional touchdown. Gettysburg held a 461-224 advantage in total yards and held the Blue Jays to 74 yards on the ground. Running back Phil Roberts led Johns Hopkins with 64 yards on 14 carries.

Rule Changes
The NCAA has instituted two clock rule changes this year. The play clock will now start at 40 seconds from the moment the previous play is blown dead; however, a 25-second clock will be used if play is stopped for an administrative purpose, such as after a timeout or at the start of a quarter. Also changing is the start of the game clock after out-of-bounds plays - the game clock will now start when the ball is marked ready for play, not when it’s snapped (except in the final two minutes of play). Other rule changes this season include banning horsecollar tackles, the elimination of the five-yard facemask penalty, and the elimination of the sideline warning (it’s now a five-yard penalty with no warning). Finally, the penalty for a kick-off out of bounds has been changed to give the receiving team the ball 30 yards from the spot of the kick-off.

Scouting Gettysburg
The Bullets, who have led the Centennial Conference in numerous offensive categories in recent years, have flexed their muscle again in the early going this season, ranking third in conference in both total offense (399.5 ypg) and rushing offense (198.0 ypg). Sophomore Jamel Mutunga has led the Bullets ground game, averaging 74.5 yards per game while senior Nick McConnell has posted 62.5 yards per outing. Both players are averaging over 4.5 yards per carry. Flynn, who has thrown for 334 yards on 25-of-50 passing, has connected with seven different receivers this season, and junior wing Ricky Manigat leads the way with 74 yards on seven catches. The Bullets have also received solid play from their punters, as sophomore Brian Betley and freshman Rob Pennella have combined to average a Centennial Conference-leading 38.7 yards per punt. Freshman safety Joe Delaney leads Gettysburg’s defense with 19 tackles while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes has recorded 18 stops.

Gettysburg is coached by Barry Streeter, who is the all-time winningest coach in Centennial Conference history with 80 victories in league play. With an overall career record of 147-144-5, he is also Gettysburg's all-time winningest coach and is 10th among active coaches by victories in Division III.

Scouting Johns Hopkins
The Blue Jays are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2005. In their season opener, the Jays defeated St. Lawrence 34-3 in Baltimore. Despite yielding a 641-447 advantage in total yards, Hopkins has outscored its opponents 73-34, thanks in large part to their Centennial Conference-leading +6 turnover margin. The Blue Jay defense has accounted for nine forced fumbles and six interceptions and have turned four turnovers into touchdowns. Senior safety Chris Baldwin, who leads the team with 22 tackles, has accounted for three of those touchdowns, scoring on both of his interceptions and his only fumble recovery. Junior running back Andrew Case has scored Hopkins only two rushing touchdowns and is averaging 80.5 yards rushing per game while four different players have caught the Blue Jays four touchdown passes. Sophomore kicker Alex Lachman has been perfect thus far, going 8-for-8 on PATs and making his only field goal attempt.

Johns Hopkins is coached by Jim Margraff, who is 113-69-3 in his 19th season at the helm. He is the third-winningest coach in Centennial Conference history with a 72-47-2 mark in league games.

Next Week
Gettysburg returns to action next Saturday, when it pays a visit to defending Centennial Conference champion Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. Kickoff is set for 1:00.

Johns Hopkins Week

2008-09-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

As we prepare to enter the Centennial Conference portion of our schedule, following is the first in this weeks' series of previews of the upcoming Conference opener with the Johns Hopkins Bluejays.

The following was taken from the D3Football.com Kick-off Edition:

Johns Hopkins Blue Jays

Last playoff appearance: 2005
Last year: 4-6, 3-5 CC
Last conference title: 2005
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 165
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 81
Wins increase from 06-07: Minus-1
Preseason ranking: 53 of 239
Players who started camp: 88
Head coach: Jim Margraff, 19th year, 111-69-3
Starters returning: 20 (11 offense, seven defense, two specialists)

Position battle to watch: Quarterback, again. Michael Murray started nine games in 2007, but could face challenges from Max Islinger, among others. Margraff said he hopes to have the starter decided before camp breaks and has little interest in a platoon.

Pressure is on: Linebackers Colin Wixted and A.J. Albert. Both were starters for much of last season, Wixted as a sophomore and Albert as a freshman. But most of the players around them will be new, and it will be up to Wixted and Albert to keep the defense moving.

Where did he come from? Sophomore wide receiver D.J. Hartigan arrived at Hopkins in a knee brace, the result of knee surgery that Hartigan underwent during the spring of his senior year in high school. He didn't play as a freshman, but Margaff is hoping he can be a factor this season.

Their season will be defined by: The Centennial Conference opener at Gettysburg on Sept. 20. Because of all the new faces, Margraff likened the Blue Jays' nonconference games (home against St. Lawrence, on the road against Randolph-Macon) as preseason games. He hopes the young players will be up to speed by the time Hopkins meets the Bullets.

Predicted record: 4-6, 3-5

Capsule: Margraff takes heart in the fact that two seasons ago, Muhlenberg went 3-7. The Mules took off last season with a conference title and a win in the playoffs. The lesson: Dramatic turnarounds are possible. If such a rebound is to happen for the Blue Jays, it will likely be led by the offense, which returns 10 of its 11 starters, including all five linemen. The unit must improve from last year, when Hopkins was eighth in the conference in total offense. Having a proven kicker will help. Alex Lachman was first-team All-Conference and hit the longest field goal of anyone in the conference (44 yards). The challenge will come in a defense that was in the middle of the road statistically, but returns just four starters.

Game Photos

2008-09-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out Bill Dowling's Website for the excellent photos he took during this past Saturday's game. 121 football pictures, 22 cheerleader pictures, and 42 band pictures.

We appreciate your great work Bill!

Go Bullets!!!

Centennial Conference News

2008-09-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jamel Mutunga and John Dickerson for their recognition on this week's Centennial Conference Honor Roll for their performances in Saturday's game vs. Hampden-Sydney.

For more, read this week's Centennial Conference Release which includes a look ahead to this Saturday's Homecoming contest vs. Johns Hopkins.

Go Bullets!!!

Bullets Drop Shootout in Home Opener, 45-40

2008-09-14T05:50:00.000-07:00

Following are some recaps from yesterday's game pulled from around the Web.

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Bullets Drop Shootout in Home Opener, 45-40

Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Josh Simpson rushed for 190 yards and four touchdowns while Corey Sedlar threw for 424 yards and a pair of TDs on 29-of-38 passing as Hampden-Sydney College spoiled Gettysburg’s home opener, topping the Bullets 45-40 in an offensive slugfest Saturday afternoon at a hot and humid Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.

The Gettysburg-Hampden-Sydney series has featured numerous shootouts in recent history and Saturday’s contest was no different. The two teams combined for 1,118 yards of total offense, with the Tigers out-gaining the Bullets 643-475.

With the game tied 21-21 at the half, Hampden-Sydney (2-0) took the lead for good on a Simpson 1-yard touchdown run with 11:29 left in the third quarter. The Tigers pushed their lead to as much as 12 late in the game, but the Bullets (0-2) pulled to within five with 1:35 remaining following a 1-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest). However, Gettysburg failed to recover the ensuing onside kick and with no timeouts left, the Bullets were unable to stop the Tigers from running out the rest of the clock.

McConnell, one of four Bullets to score a rushing touchdown, finishing with 52 yards on 13 carries while sophomore tailback Jamel Mutunga (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) tied a career-high with 114 yards on 21 carries and an additional TD. Junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) (seven carries, 63 yards) and sophomore wing Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) (three carries, 22 yards) also rushed for one touchdown apiece.

Flynn finished with 164 yards through the air on 12-of-21 passing while sophomore Gavin Jablonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) grabbed four passes for 76 yards. Junior tight end A.J. Perrotti (Brick, N.J./Brick Township) added three receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Sedlar made exceptional use of a deep receiving corps, hitting 11 different players with his passes. Simpson was also the team’s leading receiver, snaring eight passes for 95 yards to finish with 285 all-purpose yards.

Sedlar was on fire in the early going, completing his first 13 passes to help stake the Tigers to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. However, his 14th pass was picked off by sophomore cornerback John Dickerson (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional), who returned it 43 yards down the left sideline, making it 14-14 with 10:38 left in the opening half.

Prior to Dickerson’s pick – the first of his collegiate career – Curcio put the Bullets on the scoreboard with his 6-yard touchdown run, kicking off a 21-0 Gettysburg run. Midway through the quarter, the Bullets drove to the Tiger-22, where the drive stalled. But that’s where Gettysburg reached into its bag of tricks, as sophomore holder Billy Giannone (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth) hit Perrotti with a 22-yard touchdown pass on a fake 39-yard field goal attempt, giving Gettysburg its only lead of the game at 21-14 following senior Josh Huson’s (McLean, Va./McLean) third extra point. It was the first collegiate touchdown pass for Giannone and the first career TD reception for Perrotti.

The Tigers put together a quick nine-play, 77-yard drive just before the end of the half, with Sedlar connecting with tight end Connor Oliver for an 11-yard touchdown strike with 16 ticks showing to pull the visitors even at the break.

After Simpson’s go-ahead score early in the second half, Mutunga pulled the Bullets to within one midway through the third quarter, punching it in from 1-yard out. However, Huson pushed the PAT wide right after Gettysburg was called for a false start, tacking on an extra five yards on the attempt.

Hampden-Sydney then gave itself some breathing room with a 10-0 spurt. Simpson bulled in for his third 1-yard touchdown with 2:25 left in the third quarter before T.C. Stevens knocked through a 33-yard field goal with 9:32 to go in the game to push the Tigers advantage to 38-27.

After a HSC kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Bullets the ball at their own 40, Gettysburg needed only five plays to march 60 yards to paydirt. Highlighting the drive were a pair of big runs by Flynn, including a 19-yard scamper that had an additional nine yards tacked on due to a personal foul for a late hit out of bounds that moved the ball to the Tiger-9. On the next play, Flynn sprinted up the middle and into the end zone, making it a 38-33 game with 7:58 to go. Flynn’s two-point conversion pass attempt was intercepted by safety Thomas Hovis.

The Bullets nearly caught a break on the ensuing Hampden-Sydney drive, when receiver Kyle Vance caught a deep ball over the middle but fumbled at the Gettysburg-11. The Bullets pounced on the loose ball, but officials ruled Vance to be down, resulting in a first down following the 47-yard play. Four plays later, the Tigers went for it on a fourth-and-1 at 2-yard line, and Sedlar dropped off a 2-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Morgan, giving Hampden-Sydney a 45-33 lead with 4:45 on the clock.

Gettysburg drove deep into Tiger territory on its next possession, getting a big 37-yard pass from Flynn to Perrotti, but safety Bill Doody quelled the threat when he intercepted Flynn at the Hampden-Sydney-13. However, the Bullets forced the Tigers to go three-and-out, and after the team used up its final two timeouts, sophomore Anthony DeSalva (Redding, Conn./Joel Barlow) got a hand on a Tiger punt. The ball sputtered to a stop at the Hampden-Sydney 35, giving the Bullets new life.

Giannone then came on at quarterback and hit Jablonski right away with a 29-yard pass to the Tiger-6. McConnell took the next three hand-offs, the last resulting in his touchdown that set the final score following Huson’s fourth PAT. It was also his first collegiate touchdown.

Freshman safety Joe Delaney (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) led Gettysburg’s defense with 13 tackles while junior linebacker Tim Widdoes (Newark, Del./St. Mark’s) made 12 stops.

The Bullets return home next Saturday, when they host Johns Hopkins University in their Centennial Conference opener during Homecoming weekend.

Now, from the Hampden-Sydney Website:

CLUTCH PLAYS LATE SPUR H-SC IN 45-40 VICTORY

Tigers use key performances from unheralded players to down Gettysburg

Game Box Score

GETTYSBURG, PA (September 13, 2008)–Expectations of the Tiger football team were both met and exceeded in Hampden-Sydney’s 45-40 victory over feisty Gettysburg College on Saturday afternoon.

Hampden-Sydney fans have become rather accustomed to premier production from offensive stalwarts Corey Sedlar (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) and Josh Simpson (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin). On Saturday at Musselman Stadium in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Sedlar turned in a mammoth performance, throwing for 424 yards and two touchdowns on 29-of-38 accuracy, while Simpson again was ultra effective with the ball in his grasp tallying 190 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries in addition to corralling eight passes for 95 yards.

Perhaps unexpected, but certainly not lost in the shuffle, were some clutch performances at key junctures by several Tiger role players.

Down the stretch, the Tigers (2-0) needed three big plays from three lesser known members of their roster to hold off the Bullets (0-2).

With Hampden-Sydney clinging to a 38-33 lead and needing a big play at its own 42-yard line with 7:53 remaining in the game, freshman wide out Kyle Vance (Onley, VA/Broadwater Academy) put the Tigers in prime position at the Bullets’ 11-yard line with a 47-yard, over-the-shoulder catch of a Sedlar bomb.

Four plays later, the Tigers converted on fourth-and-one from the Gettysburg two-yard line when Sedlar faked to Simpson and found T.J. Morgan (Chesterfield, VA/Manchester) in the short flat. Morgan collected the Sedlar delivery and bullied his way into the end zone to extend Hampden-Sydney’s lead back to double digits, 45-33, with 4:45 remaining.

On Gettysburg’s ensuing possession, junior safety Bill Doody (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Cardinal Gibbons) stepped in front of Bullets’ quarterback Matt Flynn’s toss down the right sideline for a critical interception, halting Gettysburg’s rebuttal at the Tiger 13-yard line.

Those three plays exemplified the type of team effort utilized by the Tigers all afternoon, and were three big reasons that Hampden-Sydney now enters week three of the season unblemished.

Hampden-Sydney appeared to be on their way to a rout in the early going, jumping out to a 14-0 lead with 14:35 to play in the first half courtesy of two short Simpson touchdown plunges. After Gettysburg closed within 14-7 following a Charles Curcio six-yard run with 10:38 to play, Sedlar committed his only mistake of the contest, throwing an errant swing pass in the direction of Simpson that was picked off by the Bullets’ John Dickerson and returned 43 yards for the tying score.

Five minutes later, the Bullets used a page from Marty Favret’s playbook, perfectly executing a fake field goal that resulted in a 22-yard A.J. Perrotti touchdown reception from holder Billy Giannone, giving Gettysburg their only lead of the afternoon, 21-14.

Hampden-Sydney regained possession of the football, trailing by seven, with 1:30 left before the half. Sedlar connected with Travis Wertz (Boyds, MD/Damascus) for 21 yards to the Tiger 44-yard line, then with Simpson for 23 yards several plays later to the Bullets’ 22 before capping the nine-play, 77-yard drive with an 11-yard TD toss to tight end Connor Oliver (Richmond, VA/Deep Run), knotting the score at 21 at half.

The Tigers’ defense held Gettysburg on its first possession of the second half and Simpson added his third touchdown of the game by way of a one-yard rumble to put Hampden-Sydney back in front, 28-21, with 11:29 remaining in the third quarter. Gettysburg drew within one on a Jamel Matunga one-yard run three minutes later, but Hampden-Sydney responded with an impressive 12-play, 70 yard drive and took a 35-27 lead on Simpson's fourth and final touchdown jaunt of the contest, another one-yard plunge.

A T.C. Stevens (Alton, VA/Halifax) 33-yard field goal extended the Hampden-Sydney advantage to 38-27 with 9:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Gettysburg answered quickly, going 60 yards in just five plays and 1:34 on its next possession, cutting the deficit to five, 38-33, following Flynn's nine-yard touchdown run.

That set the stage for Hampden-Sydney's unsung heroics.

Vance, who did not see action in Hampden-Sydney's opening week victory, came up huge when he outran single coverage and settled under Sedlar's pass on Hampden-Sydney's next possession, slowing down just enough to pull down the football and swing the momentum back into the Tigers' favor.

Simpson tried unsuccessfully to reach the end zone on Hampden-Sydney's next three plays, and after a Gettysburg timeout before the fourth-and-one from the two, Morgan made his second reception of the game count in the pressure situation.

Doody, who registered a team-high 11 tackles, read Flynn to perfection minutes later, ranging smoothly to his right and cradling the pass attempt to give Hampden-Sydney the all-important possession with 3:33 remaining and a 12-point lead.

Hampden-Sydney amassed 643 yards of total offense and held a 5:08 advantage in time of possession. The explosive offensive performance was highlighted by the contributions of many, as 11 different Tigers registered at least one reception. Oliver hauled in four passes for 77 yards and that touchdown while junior Craig Warnement (Charlotte, NC/Charlotte Catholic) caught three balls for 61 yards.

Defensively, Thomas Hovis (Richmond, VA/St. Christopher's) made seven stops in addition to a fumble recovery while Trevor Ikwild (Philomont, VA/Loudoun Valley) also notched seven tackles from his linebacker position.

Flynn turned in a great performance for Gettysburg, completing 12-of-21 passes for 164 yards and rushing seven times for 59 yards and a touchdown. Mutunga led the way on the ground for the Bullets with 115 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries while Gavin Jablonski caught four passes for 76 yards.

The Tigers will return to action in their home opener on Saturday, September 20 as they host the Monarchs of King's College. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 pm. Fans can tune into the live broadcast of Tiger football at 12:45 pm on 95.7 WFLO-FM or by accessing the live webcast at www.hsc.edu/athletics/football.

Friday Previews

2008-09-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

First, here's some tidbits about this weekend's action from the Centennial Conference's "The Friday Tailgate":

Hampden-Sydney at Gettysburg, 1:00
Video: Gettysburg pay-per-view. Radio: WFLO-FM. Live Stats: Yes.
The Bullets and the Tigers meet for the 21st time in a series that dates to 1982 ... H-SC holds a 13-7 advantage with wins in nine of the last 10 contests ... Gettysburg's only victory in that stretch came in 2006 (28-20) at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium ... the Bullets are 11-2 at home since 2006 ... Gettysburg's opened the year with a 19-13 loss at Lebanon Valley ... QB Matt Flynn is now second on the career passing yardage list at G'burtg with 3,251 yards ... Hampden-Sydney started with a 33-23 win at North Carolina Wesleyan ... TB Josh Simpson piled up 338 all-purpose yards and scored four TDs, while QB Corey Sadler threw for 270 yards and two scores.

From today's Harrisburg Patriot-News:

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY AT GETTYSBURG:
Gettysburg will attempt to snap back from a 19-13 season-opening loss at Lebanon Valley. Hampden-Sydney, meanwhile, opened with a 33-23 win at North Carolina Wesleyan. Last season in Hampden-Sydney, Va., the host Tigers rolled to a 33-0 halftime lead and coasted home for a 54-7 win over Gettysburg. Gettysburg junior QB Matt Flynn moved to second on the Bullets' all-time passing list with 3,251 yards and 25 TDs on a 188-yard, one-touchdown performance against Lebanon Valley. Senior running back Nick McConnell (Cedar Crest) had a career-high 73 yards on 14 carries against the Dutchmen.

Bullets to Face Hampden-Sydney in Home Opener

2008-09-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Football to Face Hampden-Sydney in Home Opener

Complete Game Notes (PDF)

Home Opener
Gettysburg plays its 2008 home opener on Saturday as it hosts the Hampden-Sydney College Tigers in a non-conference affair. The Bullets have won their last three home openers, topping Lebanon Valley (49-25) last season, Hampden-Sydney (28-20) in 2006 and Lebanon Valley (34-27) in 2005. The Bullets have not lost their home opener since their 59-16 loss to the Tigers in 2004.

Game Coverage
A live audio/video webcast of Saturday’s game is available at http://www.gettysburgsports.com/member/bridge.asp?url=/member/aa_signup.aspx on a pair-per view basis. Josh Scheinblum ’10 will call the action. Livestats will also be available at http://sidearmstats.com/gettysburg/football/xlive.htm.

Series Notes
Hampden-Sydney holds a 13-7 lead in the all-time series that dates back to 1982 and has won nine of the last 10 meetings. Gettysburg’s only win over Hampden-Sydney since 1998 was a 28-20 victory in 2006, the last time the two teams met in Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium. Prior to that game, the Tigers had won the previous eight meetings. The home team won the first seven games of the series before the Bullets won 25-7 at Hampden-Sydney in 1995.

Home, Sweet Home
Gettysburg has enjoyed incredible success at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium in recent history, winning 11 of their last 13 games at home. The Bullets were 3-2 on their home turf last season after going 5-0 in 2006 and 4-1 in 2005.

Last Time Out
Despite a stirring second-half comeback, the Bullets were unable to overcome a 19-0 deficit and dropped its season-opener at Lebanon Valley, falling 19-13 last Saturday in a non-conference showdown. Gettysburg moved 70 yards on a pair of long passing plays in the final minute to move to the LVC-25, but the Bullets next four passes into the end zone were incomplete. Gettysburg scored its first points of the season on a 3-yard touchdown run from junior wing Ricky Manigat with 7:28 left in the third quarter, and a 26-yard touchdown pass from junior Matt Flynn to sophomore Brian Betley pulled the Bullets to within six. Flynn threw for 170 yards on 13-of-29 passing while Betley caught three passes for 77 yards. Senior Nick McConnell came off the bench to rush for a career-high 73 yards on 14 carries, and sophomore defensive tackle Sebastian Sullivan led the defense with a career-high nine tackles.

On the strength of a phenomal day from senior tailback Josh Simpson, Hampden-Sydney opened its season with a 33-23 victory at North Carolina Wesleyan on Sunday in a non-conference outing in a game that was pushed back one day due to Tropical Strom Hanna. Simpson, who piled up 338 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns, gave the Tigers the lead for good when his 4-yard touchdown run made it 19-16 with 8:14 left in the opening half. Simpson hauled in a 65-yard touchdown pass 2:20 before the end of the half to give the Tigers a 26-16 lead at the break, and after his team yielded a third-quarter touchdown, he set the final score with a 17-yard touchdown run 21 seconds into the final quarter. Simpson finished the day with 185 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries and caught 10 passes for 153 yards and an additional TD. Senior quarterback Corey Sedlar threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-39 passing but was also intercepted five times. Junior linebacker Andrew Sellers led the Tiger defense with seven tackles as Hampden-Sydney limited the Battling Bishops to 57 yards rushing.

Last Season’s Game
Hampden-Sydney jumped out to a 33-0 halftime lead, capped by a 39-yard Hail-Mary touchdown pass on the final play of the half, and the Tigers defeated Gettysburg 54-7 in Hampden-Sydney. Corey Sedlar led the Tigers with 258 yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-34 passing while Drew Smith caught eight passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Matt Flynn threw for 198 yards on 20-of-40 passing for Gettysburg while Tom Sturges ’08 rushed for 74 yards. The Tigers led just 7-0 at the end of the first quarter before breaking out with 40 points over the second and third quarters. Turnovers proved to be costly for the Bullets, as four of their five giveaways led to Hampden-Sydney touchdowns. The Tigers did not commit a turnover. Gettysburg defensive end Conor Quinn led all players with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack, while William Riggenbach made eight stops for Hampden-Sydney.

Rule Changes
The NCAA has instituted two clock rule changes this year. The play clock will now start at 40 seconds from the moment the previous play is blown dead; however, a 25-second clock will be used if play is stopped for an administrative purpose, such as after a timeout or at the start of a quarter. Also changing is the start of the game clock after out-of-bounds plays - the game clock will now start when the ball is marked ready for play, not when it’s snapped (except in the final two minutes of play). Other rule changes this season include banning horsecollar tackles, the elimination of the five-yard facemask penalty, and the elimination of the sideline warning (it’s now a five-yard penalty with no warning). Finally, the penalty for a kick-off out of bounds has been changed to give the receiving team the ball 30 yards from the spot of the kick-off.

With Honors
Gettysburg returns four players who were named to the All-Centennial Conference Team last year. Senior kicker Josh Huson and senior defensive end Josh Jerrold were named to the second team while senior guard Lou Mastrini and senior defensive end Conor Quinn were honorable mention selections.

Head of the Class
With his 27-20 win over Moravian last season, Gettysburg head coach Barry Streeter picked up his 78th Centennial Conference victory, making him the all-time winningest coach in conference history. He passed former Franklin & Marshall coach Tom Gilburg, who won 77 games from 1983-2002. Streeter has gone 80-81-3 in Centennial play since the inception of the conference in 1983.

More on Streeter
Streeter is also the longest-tenured and winningest football coach in Gettysburg history. He surpassed Hen Bream (1927-51), who coached for 22 seasons, in 2000. Streeter won his 105th career game against Muhlenberg in 1995 to take over the career wins lead. Now in his 30th season as head coach, he has a 147-143-5 (.507) career record.

Movin’ On Up
Junior quarterback Matt Flynn moved into second on Gettysburg’s career passing yardage list against Lebanon Valley last week. He now has 3,251 yards and trails only Dennis Flaherty ’01, who racked up 5,136 yards from 1997-2000. The top-five are listed at right.

Player Years C-A-I Yds TDs
Dennis Flaherty 1997-2000 368-808-47 5136 33
Matt Flynn 2006- 237-489-19 3251 25
Jim Ward 1963-65 230-466-16 3174 32
Herb Ruby 1967-69 253-557-37 3002 24
Brett Gipe 1981-83 174-375-28 2680 26

Scouting Hampden-Sydney
Hampden-Sydney is coming off an 8-3 season in which it also won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), going 5-1 in conference play. The Tigers, who lost 45-17 to Wesley in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs, have now won their last five regular season games, dating back to last season. The team returns 22 starters from last year including Simpson, who owns a plethora of school and ODAC records. He is the conference’s all-time leader in points (342), total touchdowns (56), and rushing touchdowns (46) and last year he set school and ODAC records for points (164) and rushing touchdowns (21) in a season. The Tigers placed 10 players on the the All-ODAC team in 2007.

Hampden-Sydney is coached by Marty Favret, the 2007 ODAC Coach of the Year who is 55-27 in his ninth season with the Tigers. His teams have won eight or more games in five of the last six seasons, and his 2003 squad led the nation in scoring (47.2 ppg). In addition, his 2005 team was the Division III leader in total offense (525.2 ypg).

From the Hampden-Sydney Website:

Gettysburg Welcomes Tigers to Musselman Stadium on Saturday(September 10, 2008)

GETTYSBURG, PA--Hampden-Sydney and Gettysburg College will do battle for the 21st time on Saturday when the Tigers invade Musselman Stadium in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Hampden-Sydney is coming off of a 33-23 victory over defending USA South champion North Carolina Wesleyan while Gettysburg will look to rebound from a tough 19-13 loss at Lebanon Valley in week one. The Tigers lead the all-time series 13-7 and downed the Bullets 54-7 last season at Lewis C. Everett Stadium. Hampden-Sydney's last visit to Pennsylvania was not as fruitful, however, as Gettysburg dealt the Tigers a 28-20 defeat in 2006, the Bullets' first victory in the series since 1997. Expect this year's duel to be tight once again, as the Tigers and Bullets have a history of close contests; in the season opener of the 1996 season, Hampden-Sydney outlasted Gettysburg 17-10 in the first-ever regular season overtime game in the history of DIII football. Tiger fans have several ways to catch the gridiron action on Saturday. Starting at 12:45 pm, fans can tune into 95.7 WFLO-FM or access the Windows Media live webcast provided on the H-SC Football website. Gettysburg is offering video webcasting through their athletics site and live stats to allow fans to follow the action play-by-play. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 pm.

Hampden-Sydney Football Game Notes
95.7 WFLO-FM Live Webcast
Video Webcast courtesy of Gettysburg College
Live Stats courtesy of Gettysburg College

Centennial Conference News

2008-09-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

I'm still catching up on my Bullets news and found this week's Centennial Conference recap of week 1/look ahead to week 2.

Congrat's to Nick McConnell, Sebastian Sullivan, Brian Betley for their recognition on the Conference's Week 1 Honor Roll for their performances against Lebanon Valley!

Click here for the entire release.

Hampden-Sydney Week!

2008-09-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in updating the blog. After a 2 day conference in the City of Brotherly Love, I can start prepping for the upcoming Bullets game. Don't you just hate it when work gets in the way?!?

Let's start with the season preview taken from D3Football.com's Kick-off Edition:

Hampden-Sydney Tigers

Last playoff appearance: 2007
Last year: 8-3, 5-1 ODAC
Last conference title: 2007
2007 NCAA ranking, total offense: 11
2007 NCAA ranking, total defense: 190
Wins increase from 06-07: Plus-4
Preseason ranking: 36 of 239
Players who started camp: 119
Head coach: Marty Favret, ninth season, 55-26
Starters returning: 13 (five offense, seven defense, one specialists)

Position battle to watch: At least four players will be competing for two spots at wide receiver, which took a hit with the graduation of ODAC Offensive Player of the Year Drew Smith. Leading the way among this year's bunch is senior Zach Miller, who saw playing time every game last season. Junior Adam Gillette and freshmen Mason Simpson and Sean Cavanaugh will be chasing Miller's spot as well as the other opening at wideout.

Pressure is on: Quarterback Corey Sedlar. The signal-caller who stepped into the spotlight last year made significant improvement in spring practices and will be needed to help blend the veteran and rookie elements of the Tigers' offense.

Where did he come from? Craig Warnement's bumps early last year shook up the team's game plan even before the season opener. But the former starting quarterback will be seeing time on the field this year - as a halfback. The 6-foot-1, 210 pound junior has practiced as a backup to standout Josh Simpson.

Their season will be defined by: The game against Randolph-Macon on Nov. 15. Last season, this rivalry game was played for the conference title. A twist here and there, and that's a possibility again this year.

Predicted record: 10-0, 6-0

Capsule: With a three-wideout set and experience under center, the Tigers will again be looking to tap into the potential to be one of the conference's best passing teams. But offensive balance is among their strongest features, and that rests prominently on running back Josh Simpson. Between carries and receptions, the junior found the end zone 27 times in just eight games last year, and he racked up more than 1,600 yards total. Also, to the benefit of both sides of the ball, Hampden-Sydney has drawn its biggest recruiting class ever. Defensively, captain Andrew Sellers and Josh Miller will be filling the void of two All-Conference linebackers. Another conference honoree, T.C. Stevens, rounds out the playing field by reprising his roles as placekicker and punter. Two new coaches join the Tigers staff for 2008: Glen Young, an NFL-veteran who will coach the linebackers, and Zeke Taylor, who will be in charge of the offensive line. Two shortfalls for Hampden-Sydney will be the need to replace All-Conference tight end Josh Baumgartner, who graduated, and defensive back Jamie Edlow, who did not return to the team for his senior year.

Last-Minute Drive Comes Up Short in 19-13 Loss at Lebanon Valley

2008-09-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

From the Gettysburg College Website:

Last-Minute Drive Comes Up Short in 19-13 Loss at Lebanon Valley

Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. – Safety Andrew Shambach broke up a potential game-winning touchdown pass in the end zone with seven seconds left, and Gettysburg was unable to recover from a 19-0 deficit in a 19-13 non-conference loss at Lebanon Valley College on a rain-soaked, wind-swept Arnold Field in the season opener for both teams.

Not only was the game played mostly through a driving rain due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna, but it also featured a pair of 30-minute lightning delays, with the second one halting play with 3:38 left in the game and the Flying Dutchmen clinging to a six-point lead.

With the setback, Gettysburg has now lost three straight season-openers at Lebanon Valley since 2004.

Junior tailback Charlie Parker rushed for 128 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries to lead LVC. He also caught an 82-yard touchdown pass.

Gettysburg junior quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) nearly led the Bullets to a dramatic game-winning drive, taking his team from his own 5-yard line to the LVC-25 in the final minute. However, his final four passes fell incomplete in the end zone, and the Dutchmen were able to run take a knee to run off the final seven seconds.

The Bullets began their final drive with 1:29 left and no timeouts. Flynn hit sophomore receiver Brian Betley (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) with a 42-yard bomb to down the left sideline on third-and-10, giving the Bullets the ball near midfield. He then found junior wing Michael McInerney (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./St. Joseph) over the middle for a 19-yard gain as Gettysburg suddenly was within striking distance. On the next play, Betley nearly came up with a diving catch on the right side of the end zone, but the pass was ruled to have hit the ground. After two more incomplete passes – one to Betley and one to sophomore Gavin Jabonski (Allenwood, N.J./Wall) – Flynn took one final shot at Betley in the left side of the end zone only to have it knocked away by Shambach.

Flynn went 13-for-29 for 170 yards and one touchdown and moved into second on the school’s all-time passing yardage list, surpassing Jim Ward ’67. With 3,251 yards, he now trails only Dennis Flaherty ’01 (5,136) on the all-time list.

Senior Nick McConnell (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) led the Bullets on the ground with a career-high 73 yards on 14 carries while Betley caught three passes for 77 yards.

The wet conditions put a damper on both team’s offense in the early going, with the two teams gaining a total of two first downs in the opening quarter. The first occurred when, on their first possession, the Bullets took a gamble and converted a fourth-and-1 from their own 27 on a two-yard run from Flynn. However, the drive stalled from there, and Gettysburg went three-and-out on its next possession. The opening quarter ended with the scoreboard reading 0-0.

The Bullet offense received a spark in the second quarter, when junior wing Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) took a pass from Flynn, made a nice spin move on the left sideline, and raced downfield for a 34-yard gain to the LVC-21. But after a short run and a pair of incomplete passes, senior Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) had his 37-yard field goal sail wide left with 11:07 left in the opening half.

The Dutchmen responded with several big passing plays to get on the scoreboard. On a third-and-12 from the LVC-18, Parker took a short pass from Fick on the far sideline, broke a tackle, and sprinted 82 yards into the end zone with 10:04 on the clock. Brittany Ryan’s extra point made it 7-0.

Following a Gettysburg punt, two passes from quarterback Caleb Fick to Matt Donley led to another Dutchman score. Donley pulled in a 37-yard pass to set up the Dutchmen at the Bullet-39, and four plays later, he made a leaping grab in the end zone with 3:53 left in the half. Ryan’s extra point was blocked by senior defensive end Josh Jerrold (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury East).

The Bullets appeared to have something going just before the end of the half following an 18-yard pass from Betley to sophomore wing Charles Curcio (Hammonton, N.J./St. Joseph) on a fake punt put Gettysburg at the LVC-27. However, Lebanon Valley thwarted the drive with a minute left before the half, when, on a third-and -13, Dane Eichelberger picked off a Flynn pass headed for the end zone.

Fick finished the first half with 148 yards on just three completions. For the game he went 8-for-16 for 188 yards.

After an extended 30-minute halftime (due to the first lightning delay), the Bullets received the second-half kickoff, but Eichelberger made his second interception of the game on Gettysburg’s second play from scrimmage, setting up the Dutchmen at Gettysburg’s 24. Another big Fick-to-Donley play – a 13-yard, first-down completion on third-and-4 – gave LVC the ball at the Bullet-5. Two plays later, Parker ran it in from the right side, and after a failed two-point conversion it was 19-0 with 12:13 showing.

Gettysburg came right back with its best drive of the game up to that point, going 59 yards on 10 plays, highlighted by a 4-yard touchdown run from Manigat on a pitch-out right. Gettysburg converted two third-downs along the way on a 9-yard run from McConnell and an 8-yard Manigat carry.

The Bullets then picked up a break when a high snap on a punt gave Gettysburg the ball at the Dutchman-21. Then on a third-and-16, Flynn found a wide-open Betley in the end zone. The Bullets were unable to get down the hold on the extra point, and Huson’s line-drive attempt was wide-left, making it 19-13 with 3:36 left in the third quarter.

Gettysburg came up with a big stop on Lebanon Valley’s next drive, but then gave the ball away on a turnover. On a fourth-and-2 at the Bullet-30, a Fick rush was stuffed by junior Sean Beirne (Ventnor, N.J./Atlantic City). But the Dutchmen regained possession when Tim Ridewood recovered a botched pitch-out at the Gettysburg-46. The turnover spoiled a spectacular play by Flynn two plays earlier, when he spun away from a host of defenders and hit Betley with a lunging shovel pass for a first down.

The Dutchmen threatened to score again, marching to the Bullet-2, but junior linebacker Joe Anthes (Hopatcong, N.J./Hopatcong) halted the drive with his second career interception, picking off a pass in the end zone with 8:16 left.

After driving 28 yards to the Gettysburg-48, the Bullets were forced to punt, and a Betley boot bounced into the end zone for a touchback.

Lebanon Valley took over with 4:53 left, and the Dutchmen chewed up over three minutes of the clock over an eight-play, 47-yard drive in which Parker accounted for all but two yards and all three first downs. The drive was interrupted after his 15-yard carry gave LVC a first down at the Gettysburg-44, and play resumed a half hour later.

Facing a fourth-and-8 at the Gettysburg-33, the Dutchmen elected to punt, and Colt Zarilla’s pooch kick died at the Bullet-5, setting up Gettysburg’s stirring comeback attempt.

Defensively, sophomore tackle Sebastian Sullivan (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) led the Bullets with a career-high nine tackles while senior linebacker Dean Staley (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) made a career-high eight stops.

Betley averaged 40.8 yards on five punts.

The Bullets play their home opener next Saturday, when they take on Hampden-Sydney College at 1 p.m. in another non-conference showdown.

From the Lebanon Valley Website:

Football Slips And Slides By Gettysburg, 19-13

Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Junior Charlie Parker racked up 210 all-purpose yards and had two touchdowns as Lebanon Valley College held off a Gettysburg College comeback to win their season opener, 19-13, at a rain-soaked Arnold Field.

The game was played in the driving rain and wind of Tropical Storm Hanna, and was delayed twice due to lightning.

The Dutchmen (1-0) ran out to a 19-0 lead before giving up two third-quarter touchdowns to the Bullets (0-1), who drove nearly the length of the field at the end of the fourth quarter but fell short in a comeback bid.

It was the third straight time LVC has beaten Gettysburg at home, following a 13-12 win in 2006 and 2004's 7-3 victory.

"You talk about, we won three of our last four games last year, win our first game this year, and winning is contagious," said Head Coach Jim Monos. "But we have a hard schedule ahead of us and a tough opponent in Ursinus next week."

Sophomore quarterback Caleb Fick completed 8-of-16 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, including an 82-yard strike to Parker in the first half. Gettysburg's Matt Flynn was 13-of-29 for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore safety Dane Eichelberger led a solid LVC defense with two interceptions. Seniors Brian Cottone and Andrew Shambach each racked up 10 tackles, and Shambach batted away the potential game-tying touchdown with seven seconds left in the game.

It was Parker who kept the LVC offense moving, carrying the ball 34 times for 128 yards, and adding the touchdown grab as his only reception for LVC's first score. Early in the second quarter, the junior snagged a pass from Fick in the flat and took off, racing up the sideline and diving into the end zone for an 82-yard touchdown.

"There aren't enough ways to get the ball to Charlie Parker, because he's a good football player," said Monos. "Nobody smells the goal line better than he does."

Fick made it 13-0 later in the half when he connected with Matt Donley on a 28-yard floater.

The Bullets threatened at the tail end of the half, but Eichelberger's interception at his own two ended the threat. Eichelberger then keyed LVC's next score, picking off Flynn's first pass of the second half to set up excellent field position at the Gettysburg 36. Five plays later, Parker turned the corner and dove in for a two-yard score and a 19-0 lead.

The Bullets responded with a long drive capped by Ricky Manigat's three-yard scoring run with 7:28 to go in the quarter, and five minutes later, Brian Betley hauled in a 26-yard pass from Flynn to cut the lead to 19-13

After a second lightning delay stopped the game for a half hour with 3:38 left, Lebanon Valley had an outstanding chance to shut the game out midway through the fourth quarter, grinding to the Gettysburg two. The Bullets ended the drive, however, with Tim Widdoes' interception of Fick.

With a 1:22 left and needing a touchdown to tie and the PAT to win, the Bullets drove from their own five to the LVC 25, and took four stabs at the end zone in the final 30 seconds before Shambach batted down a pass for Brian Betley to end the threat.

Game Notes: The game was delayed twice by lightning, first extending halftime and then again with 3:38 remaining in the game ... Parker posted his 11th career 100-yard rushing performance ... Eichelberger, making his first career start at free safety, had two interceptions and three tackles ... Despite the weather, both teams took care of the ball, each fumbling once, with Gettysburg losing theirs ... Freshman Colt Zarilla was outstanding at punter for LVC, putting four punts inside the 20, including two inside the five ... LVC and Gettysburg have alternated wins on their home fields every year since 2003 ... According to the National Weather Service at Ft. Indiantown Gap, the Lebanon Valley received just under two inches of rain during the course of the game.