Friday, September 28, 2007

The Friday Tailgate


pictured: Eric Dube, Dickinson


Dickinson (2-0, 4-0) at Moravian (2-0, 4-0)
It's the feature game of the week in the Conference as two of the Centennial's four unbeatens square off in Bethlehem ... the 'Hounds are 4-0 for the second time in four years and fifth overall ... the Red Devils are undefeated through four games for the first time since 1994 ... Dickinson is looking for its first-ever win at the Steel Field Complex (0-3-1) ... Moravian may be without both its top backs, as Tyler McCambridge is questionable with a sprained ankle and Morgan de Rouen is out with a knee injury ... 'Hound QB Marc Braxmeier is sixth in the nation in pass efficiency (192.1), completing 65.8 percent of his passes with 11 TDs and just two picks ... Moravian has the highest-scoring offense in the CC (35.0), while Dickinson is third (28.0).

Johns Hopkins (0-2, 1-3) at Muhlenberg (1-0, 3-0)
Two teams seemingly headed in different directions meet on Homecoming in Allentown ... the Blue Jays have dropped three straight home games since a season-opening win at Hampden-Sydney ... the Mules are 3-0 for the fifth time since 2000 and 10th time in history ... the Lehigh Valley teams - 'Berg and Moravian - are both unbeaten this late in the season for just the second time, matching 2004 ... Muhlenberg earned its first one-point win since 1994 with the 14-13 triumph at Gettysburg ... the 44-41 loss to Moravian was the first time that Hopkins has played a game in which both teams reached 40 or more points ... this is the second of a four-game stretch for JHU against teams that are all undefeated (14-0).

Gettysburg (1-1, 2-2) at Ursinus (1-0, 3-0)
The Bears are looking for their second consecutive 4-0 start, while the Bullets look for a second straight win over UC ... Gettysburg leads the CC in rushing (228.8) and total offense (402.0), while Ursinus is second in the Conference in total defense (252.7) and against the rush (91.7) ... Bullet RB Tom Sturges is 106 all-purpose yards away from cracking the CC career top 10 ... Bear QB Nicholas Dye tied a school record with five TD passes in the win at Juniata.

Juniata (0-2, 0-3) at McDaniel (0-2, 0-4)
The Eagles make their first Centennial road trip when they visit Westminster to take on the Green Terror ... Juniata QB Jay Leonard surpassed the 4,000-yard mark in career passing (4,159) with his 274 vs. Frankliun & Marshall ... the Eagles have 17 underclassmen among their top 22 starters ... McDaniel is still looking for its 500th all-time victory ... the Terror has given up four returns for touchdowns this season - two punt returns, one interception and one fumble return ... RB Eric Zwilsky ran for three TDs vs. Dickinson.

Catholic (3-1) at Franklin & Marshall (1-2)
The Diplomats step out of Centennial play and welcome the Cardinals to Lancaster ... football will fill the air at Sponaugle-Williamson Field, as Catholic QB Keith Ricca has thrown for 1,088 yards and seven TDs in four games, while F&M's Kyle Turner has 659 yards and six scores in three games ... Cardinal WR Pete Mercatanti is averaging 23.8 yards on 11 catches, while running mate Miles Sabrick is right behind with a 20.2 average on 12 receptions ... Diplomat WR George Eager has 26 catches for 262 yards and five scores in the last two games.

NCAA Statistical Leaders (top 20)
Total Defense: 5. Muhlenberg, 141.3
Rushing Defense: 12. Muhlenberg, 50.3
Pass Efficiency Defense: 9. Muhlenberg, 65.6
Scoring Defense: 5. Muhlenberg, 4.3
Pass Sacks: 19. Muhlenberg, 4.0

Rushing Yards per Game: 13. Tom Sturges, Gettysburg, 132.5
Passing Efficiency: 6. Marc Braxmeier, Moravian, 192.1
Receptions per Game: 7. George Eager, Franklin & Marshall, 9.3
Receiving Yards per Game: 9. Lance Tippett, Juniata, 136.7
Kickoff Returns: 7. Ryan Van Wright, Ursinus, 36.8
Field Goals per Game: 7. Alex Lachman, Johns Hopkins, 1.5; 17. Brian Reckenbeil, Moravian, 1.3
Total Tackles: 10. Eric Dube, Dickinson, 14.5
Solo Tackles: 17. Josh Roy, Juniata, 7.7
Forced Fumbles: 2. Andrew Morrissey, Moravian, 1.0

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