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| A WOLnews File Photo |
The Warriors (1-2 overall, 1-1 MAC) posted a 48-24 win over Wilkes in their last outing, with the defense scoring two touchdowns and forcing three turnovers in the win, helping negate a fast-moving Wilkes offense that ran 92 plays.
The Lions (2-0 overall, 1-0 MAC) also slowed down a high-flying offense on Saturday, defeating preseason conference favorite Widener, 27-10. Despite only accumulating 132 yards of total offense, Albright used touchdowns on a fumble recovery and a blocked punt to propel the team.
Warrior Notes
• The Warriors have completed more than 50 percent of their pass attempts in 22 straight games.
• Senior Ryan Umpleby needs two more pass receptions to tie Rich Kessler (1983-86) for fourth in school history with 127 in a career.
• Umpleby needs 173 more all-purpose yards to become the 10th player in school history to reach 3,000 in a career.
• Junior Blake Bowman was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week after running for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries against Wilkes.
• Junior Chase Whiteman and senior Pat Whalen hooked up on an 83-yard touchdown reception on the opening play of the fourth quarter against Wilkes, the fifth-longest completion in school history.
• Sophomore Mike Ward leads the MAC with seven passes defended. He is third in the league with two interceptions.
Scouting Lycoming
Offense: Multiple/Pro-Style
Lycoming is seventh in the MAC in scoring offense (25.0), sixth in total offense (356.7), fourth in rushing offense (182.3) and sixth in passing offense (174.3).
Lycoming's offense rolled up 417 yards in a 48-24 win over Wilkes, as it used a balanced attack in the game, passing for 225 yards and rushing for 192.
Junior Blake Bowman led the running game with 140 yards and two scores and sophomore Scott Palmeradded 33 yards and a 19-yard touchdown. The receiving corps caught 13 passes, led by senior Pat Whalen, who had three catches for 108 yards and an 83-yard touchdown reception.
Defense: 4-3
Lycoming is tied for sixth in the MAC in scoring defense (30.0), sixth in total defense (390.0), first in rushing defense (82.3) and 10th in passing defense (307.7).
Against Wilkes, the Warriors gave up 413 yards during a 92-play effort from the spread-oriented team, but more than made up for that by scoring two touchdowns. Junior Zach Smith recovered a fumble in the end zone in the second quarter and junior Tyler Smith notched a 14-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter.
Senior Matt Malecki leads the team with 19 tackles and two pass breakups and senior linebackers Phil Schron and Brian Campbell have combined for 35 tackles, four for loss.
Scouting Albright
Offense: Multiple
Albright is fifth in the MAC in scoring offense (25.5), 10th in total offense (253.0), 10th in rushing offense (55.0) and fourth in passing offense (198.0).
Freshman Mike Knight has been highly effective while leading the Lions to wins over Salisbury and Widener, completing 61 percent (43-of-71) of his passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns.
Two of his favorie targets are in the top 10 in the conference in receiving, with junior Malik Gilmore seventh with 63.0 yards per game and sophomore Malik Jackson tied for ninth at 58.0 yards. Junior Vinny Williamsis just outside the top 10, sitting 13th with an average of 53.0 yards per game, but his two receiving touchdowns leads the team.
Defense: 4-3
Albright is third in the MAC in scoring defense (16.5), fourth in total defense (333.5), seventh in rushing defense (152.5) and sixth in passing defense (181.0).
Junior safety Donte Thomas paced the Lions in the upset win over Widener, intercepting a pass and picking up a fumble and returning it 63 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. A blocked punt by sophomoreLuis Quinones also led to a touchdown, with Gilmore picking it up and rushing 34 yards to the end zone.
Senior defensive end Jamal Hayden led the team at the line, posting eight tackles, two for a loss and a sack and senior linebacker Steve Barroso added eight stops, 1.5 for loss.
Two-headed Monster
The Warrior rushing attack continues to be a problem for opposing defenses. Through three weeks of the season, junior Blake Bowman has provided two 100-yard rushing efforts, including a 140-yard game against Wilkes that helped him earn the MAC Offensive Player of the Week award. His four rushing touchdowns are tops amongst MAC running backs and he is third in the league with an average of 98.0 yards per game. Meanwhile, in the No. 1A slot on the depth chart, sophomore Scott Palmer is close behind, sitting eighth in the league with an average of 61.7 yards per game. Although he had just seven carries against Wilkes, he did score on a 19-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Running History
When junior Blake Bowman was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week for his 140-yard game against Wilkes, it marked the ninth straight year that a Warrior running back earned at least one player of the week nod from the MAC. Mark Rosa began the string in 2007 before Josh Kleinfelter spread out five awards from 2008-10. Parker Showers won a weekly award in 2011 and Craig Needhammer won four between 2012-14.
The Umpdate
Senior Ryan Umpleby continues to rise in the school's career record books, where he is beginning to make his move into the top five in several categories. The Forest Hill, Md., native needs five more receiving yards to move past James O'Malley (1984-87, 1,810) and into the top five Lycoming's career record book and two more receptions to move past Rich Kessler (1983-86, 127) for fourth in school history. He is also three touchdowns away from the top five in receiving touchdowns. He is also just 20 yards shy of the top five in kick return yards, where Dave Nolan (1978-82) sits with 759. With 2,827 all-purpose yards, he is just 20 yards from the top 10 in school history, where Troy Erdman (1987-90) finished his career.
Mike's Ward
Sophomore safety Mike Ward continues to impress in his first full season as a starter. Through three games, Ward leads the MAC with seven passes defended, while his two interceptions are tied for third in the league. Against Wilkes, he continued to play well, notching one interception and adding two pass breakups. The Edgewater, Md., native has posted 47 tackles, three interceptions and 10 breakups in just 13 career games.
