Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Weekly Scouting Report: Lycoming Vs Widener

Craig Needhammer dives for the touchdown
Scouting Lycoming
Offense: Multiple/Pro-Style
Before removing the starting lineup at halftime, the Warriors rolled up more than 370 yards of offense against Misericordia on Sept. 21, helping the team to a 52-14 win.

Junior Craig Needhammer led the offense, as the running back tore through the Misericordia defense en route to 182 yards on 16 carries. He also scored on three long runs, hitting paydirt from 21, 23 and 36 yards.

Junior Tyler Jenny also had another solid start, completing 9-of-12 passing for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He improved his season totals to an impressive 47-of-70 (67.1 percent) passing for 628 yards and five touchdowns. His 157.5 pass efficiency rating is second in the MAC and 36th in the nation.

Defense: 4-3
Facing the top rushing offense in the MAC on Sept. 21 against Misericordia, the Lycoming defense thrived, allowing just 11 first downs and 197 total yards. The defense swarmed to the ball all afternoon, allowing the nation's leading rusher, Jeff Puckett, just 43 yards.

The defense has been very balanced throughout the 2013 season, with senior linebacker Tyler Denike leading the team with 20 tackles, 1.5 for loss and one interception through the first three games.

Junior safety Tanner Troutman has also been a leading force on the team, making 16 stops and adding an interception and three pass breakups.

On the defensive line, senior Dwight Hentz is third on the team with 15 tackles and 0.5 sacks and junior Braden Zeiner has made 12 stops and added 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Scouting Widener
Offense: Multiple
With one of the nation's top wide receivers, the Widener offense is based on being fast-paced and exciting. The Pride lead the MAC in passing offense, averaging 261.3 yards through the air and they are fourth in the league in total offense at 393.3 yards per game.

Junior Anthony Davis is an electric receiver, as he leads the MAC and is ninth in Division III in all-purpose yards at 206.0 per game. He also leads the league in receptions per game (10.7) and receiving yards per game (112.3).

Senior Jermaine Quattlebaum is Davis' counterpart in the receiving corps, sitting fifth in the league at 5.7 receptions per game and 14th with 125 receiving yards.

Freshman quarterback Seth Klein has been impressive early this season, as he leads the MAC with averages of 31.0 completions and 261.3 passing yards per game. He is also fourth in passing efficiency at 130.1.

Defense: 4-3
Much like the Widener offense relies on speed, the defense relies on pressure, and as such, the Pride lead the MAC in red zone defense (0.571), pass sacks (4.33 per game) and tackles for loss (9.0 per game).

Sophomore Stacey Sunnerville is the Pride's leader on the defensive line, as he is second in the league with 1.3 sacks per game and third at 2.2 tackles for loss.

In the secondary, the team also has a preseason All-American in senior Colin Masterson, who helped sow up the Pride's 21-0 win over Wilkes with a third-quarter pick-six.