Wednesday, November 6, 2013

WILKES FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. DELAWARE VALLEY

Omar Richardson posted a career-high 12 tackles and a pick six in the win at FDU-Florham.
Wilkes Colonels (4-4, 3-4) vs. Delaware Valley Aggies (5-3, 4-3)
Saturday, November 9, 2013 - 1:00 p.m.
Schmidt Stadium - Senior Day

THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University returns to Edwardsville for its 2013 home season finale against Delaware Valley College in a Middle Atlantic Conference matchup at Schmidt Stadium on Senior Day. Last week Wilkes recorded its second straight win with a 38-16 victory at FDU-Florham on Friday night. Delaware Valley dropped its second straight game in overtime falling 34-31 against Lebanon Valley Saturday.


THE HEAD COACHES
Colonels coach Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg ‘85) enters his 18th year on the Wilkes sideline, racking up a 107-79 (.575) record. With the 107 victories, Sheptock is the all-time winningest coach in school history, passing Colonel legend Rollie Schmidt’s (1962-1981) 90 wins three seasons ago. He reached the 100-win plateau last season with a 37-27 victory against FDU-Florham at Schmidt Stadium. Sheptock has led the Colonels to two NCAA and seven ECAC playoff berths during his tenure, along with a MAC championship (2006). Wilkes made the NCAA playoffs in 2005 and 2006, going 19-4 overall, including a 42-0 win over Washington & Lee in the first round of the 2006 playoffs. Since 1996, Sheptock has coached 12 All-Americans and 133 All-MAC performers.

Aggies head mentor Jim Clements (Widener ‘96) enters his eighth season at the helm of the Delaware Valley football program. The three-time reigning Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year, Clements has posted a 59-20 record with four conference championships, two Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Atlantic Bowl title and three trips to the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs in his seven years as head coach. Last year, Clements and his squad finished 8-3 and 7-2 in the MAC capturing the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl 24-21 over Muhlenberg.

THE SERIES
This will mark the 50th meeting between the two schools as Wilkes holds a 30-19 advantage in the series. The Colonels are 11-7 against the Aggies under Sheptock. Delaware Valley took a 23-7 decision over Wilkes in Doylestown, Pa. last season.

UP NEXT
The Colonels conclude their regular season slate traveling cross-town to King’s College for the 18th annual Mayor’s Cup. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

THE MAGIC 300
Wilkes earned its 300th win in the program’s 68 years of existence in week 4 at Misericordia. The Colonels currently boast a 302-303-8 (.499) overall mark heading into today’s contest with Delaware Valley.

ON TOP OF THE RECORD BOOK
Going into today’s game against Delaware Valley, Sheptock’s 107 wins stands as the school’s all-time leader. Sheptock’s 107 career wins has been built up over 17 seasons of work and includes a program-record 11 wins in 2006. He reached the 100-win plateau last season in a 37-27 victory against FDU-Florham on September 29. In 185 career games, Sheptock has a winning percentage of .575.

COLONELS NOTES
• Delaware Valley has posted wins over Wilkes in the last five meetings between the schools including a 14-6 loss in Edwardsville two years ago (2011). The Colonels last victory over the Aggies came in 2007 when Wilkes posted a 27-24 victory in Doylestown, Pa.

• Sophomore running back Patrick Ingulli ran for a season-high 168 yards and one touchdown in the win at FDU-Florham as Wilkes rushed for a total of 335 yards against the Devils defense. It brings Ingulli’s career total to 1,267 yards. He stands 86 yards behind Courtney McFarland ‘89 (1,353 yards) for eleventh all-time on the school’s rushing list. Ingulli has a rushed for 70.3 yards per-game through 18 career games.

• Senior All-MAC linebacker Tate Moore-Jacobs continues to rack up the tackles finishing with seven stops against FDU-Florham. With the seven tackles, Moore-Jacobs currently has 436 career tackles over his four-year stint in the Navy and Gold. Moore-Jacobs has reached double-digit tackles in 29 of 38 career games.

• Junior cornerback Omar Richardson enjoyed a career-day at FDU-Florham finishing with 12 tackles and one interception. He returned the interception 78 yards for a Colonel touchdown, the first defensive score for Wilkes this season. Senior running back Calvin Garvin also ran his best game of the year finishing with 122 yards and over 10.2 yards per-carry against the Devils.

• Freshman quarterback Taylor Young finished his fifth career start at FDU-Florham with a 12-for-21 performance through the air for 139 yards and one score. He also ran five times for 31 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

SCOUTING WILKES OFFENSE (SPREAD)
• The Wilkes ground attack is widely known throughout the MAC as one of the top rushing offenses in the conference, but the Colonels have struggled this season averaging just 163.1 yards per-game (5th in MAC). The Colonels did however muster their best performance on the ground this season last week rushing for 335 yards in the win at FDU-Florham. Wilkes finished second in the conference last season averaging 232.4 yards per-game and led the league in 2011 (242.8 yards per-contest).

• Rookie wide receiver David Claybrook has emerged as one of the top outside threats in the league posting 27 receptions for 360 yards (9th in the MAC) and two scores. His 51.4 yards per-game receiving ranks 10th in the conference. Claybrook is averaging over 3.8 receptions per-game through seven games played for Wilkes. He showed his versatility against Stevenson two weeks ago throwing a 65-yard touchdown to Jonathan Conklin on a designed end-around pass play.

• In the special teams department, Jonathan Conklin and Mason Smith are providing positive yardage in the kickoff return and punt return game for Wilkes. Conklin is averaging 15.4 yards per-kick return in seven attempts while Smith averages 27.3 yards per-return in ten tries. Smith went for a season-high 96-yard return to open the game at Albright leading to a Colonels score.

SCOUTING WILKES DEFENSE (4-3)
• The Colonels defense has been using a bend but not break style allowing 21.9 (5th in the MAC) points per-game, but using turnovers (9 interceptions/14 fumble recoveries) and situational stops to get off the field and setup the Wilkes offense.

• Wilkes has been winning the turnover battle thus far this season collecting nine interceptions and forcing a MAC-high 17 fumbles, with 14 being recovered by the Colonels. Teams are also converting just 46 percent (53-116) of the time on 3rd down and 25 percent (4/16) on fourth down. Wilkes intercepted two passes, one being returned for a touchdown in the win at FDU-Florham. In the Colonels last four
games, the defense has caused eight fumbles (recovering six) and four interceptions.

• Tate Moore-Jacobs is the league’s top tackler averaging 11.4 stops per-game. His 42 total solo stops rank third in the MAC, while his 46 assisted tackles ranks second in the conference.

SCOUTING DELAWARE VALLEY OFFENSE (MULTIPLE)
• Delaware Valley ranks second in the MAC in scoring offense averaging 30.5 points per-game, just behind Albright (30.6 ppg) for tops in the league. The Aggies have a balanced offense using both the run and aerial attack to score points. They average 204.1 yards per-game on the ground (second behind MAC-leading Misericordia) and 211.9 yards per-game through the air (5th in the MAC).

• The Aggies feature the MAC’s leading rushers Kyle Schuberth who averages 148.0 yards per-game totaling 888 yards on 160 carries and 11 touchdowns. He has went for over 100+ yards in four of the six games he has played in including a season-high 214 yards and four scores against Stevenson.

• Quarterback Aaron Wilmer leads the Aggies under center throwing for 1,407 yards and 11 touchdowns in six games. He is averaging 234.5 yards per-game, ranking third in the MAC in the category. His 11 touchdown passes are also tied for second in the league.

SCOUTING DELAWARE VALLEY DEFENSE (MULTIPLE)
• Delaware Valley showcases a strong defense allowing 23.5 points per-game. The Aggies feature seven players who have totaled 30+ tackles and five players with 40+ stops in eight games.

• Safety Danny Wynne leads the Aggies defense with 79 tackles (45 solo, 34 assisted) and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. He also has intercepted one pass while breaking up two attempts.