The Friday Tailgate

It's the first weekend of October and it really feels like fall. The marquee game of the weekend is in Baltimore as Johns Hopkins plays its home opener against Muhlenberg in a battle of CC unbeatens.

Muhlenberg (2-0 CC, 2-1) at Johns Hopkins (2-0, 2-1)
Live Stats: Yes. Video: Yes. Audio: WMUH-FM 91.7.
This is the 43rd consecutive year that the Mules and the Blue Jays have met on the gridiron in a series that began in 1968. Muhlenberg holds a 22-19-1 overall lead, but Hopkins has an 11-8-1 advantage in the Charm City. 'Berg has won three of the last four games at Homewood, including a 28-23 decision in 2008. In the 27 years of Conference play, Muhlenberg has outscored JHU, 467-464. Both teams are riding two-game win streaks. The Mules are second in the Centennial in rushing offense (158.3), while Hopkins tops the CC in total offense (455.0). 'Berg's J.T. Merklinger (225 yds) and Terrence Dandridge (196 yds) are a potent 1-2 combo in the backfield, while QB Dan Deighan has thrown just one pick in 80 attempts. LB Patrick McDonough is tied for second in tackles (33). Blue Jay QB Hewitt Tomlin leads the Conference in passing (929 yds) and total offense (1,007). He has tied the JHU school record for career wins by a starting quarterback (19). WR Sam Wernick is second in the CC with four TDs among his 17 catches. Did you know that starting LT Roland Massimino is the grandson of former Villanova men's basketball coach Rollie Massimino?

Ursinus (3-0, 4-0) at Gettysburg (0-2, 1-2)
Live Stats: Yes. Video: Yes. Audio: Ursinus.
The 53rd meeting between the Bears and the Bullets takes place on Homecoming Weekend at the Battlefield. Gettysburg holds a 31-18-4 all-time lead and a 15-8-1 advantage at home. Ursinus has not won at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium since 2000 (38-36). It's a classic matchup of irresistible force meets immovable object, as the Bullets lead the Conference in rushing (226.3 ypg) while the Bears top the Centennial against the run (51.8 ypg). Ursinus freshman RB Bryan Ellis ran for 109 yards vs. Susquehanna - his second 100-yard effort in four games. WR Nick Giarratano leads the CC with six TD catches. DB Chris Rountree is tied for the Centennial lead with five interceptions and has 13 career picks midway through his sophomore season. Gettysburg RB Jamel Mutunga leads the CC in rushing (87.3 ypg) and QB Kyle Whitmoyer is second in total offense (235.3 ypg). DBs Joe Delaney and Peter Hak are 1-2 in the Conference in tackles with 37 and 33, respectively.

Franklin & Marshall (2-1, 3-1) at Susquehanna (1-2, 1-3)
Live Stats: Yes. Video: Yes. Audio: WQSU-FM 88.9, F&M.
This is just the 11th meeting between the Diplomats and the Crusaders and first since 1980 - a stretch of 10,927 days according to F&M's game notes. F&M is 8-0-2 against Susquehanna since 1898 and won the two most recent matchups in 1979 and 1980. Diplomat QB John Harrison now owns the school career marks for completions (485) and passing TDs (56) and needs 112 yards to move into second place on the career yardage list. RB John Kaschak is third in the CC in rushing (313 yds). The Diplomats have scored on 15 of their 16 trips into the red zone this season with 14 touchdowns. Susquehanna leads all Centennial teams in pass defense, allowing just 146.5 yards per game. Freshman DL Bill Mancini is fifth in the CC in sacks (3). QB Rich Palazzi is second among CC passers with seven TDs. His favorite target, WR Mike Ritter, has a CC-leading five scoring catches.

Moravian (1-2, 1-3) at Dickinson (1-1, 1-2)
Live Stats: No. Audio: WSAN-AM 1470, WDCV-FM 88.3.
The Greyhounds and the Red Devils meet for the 14th time in a series that began in 1933 with Dickinson holding a 7-4-2 advantage. The Devils have won three straight since Moravian joined the Conference in 2007. The 'Hounds' last win was a 33-12 triumph at home in 1980. The Moravian offense is averaging just 7.8 points per game and is ninth in the CC in total offense (207.8 ypg). DE Allen Petros is third on the school career tackles-for-loss list (30). WR Shawn Sylvainus is 11 receptions shy of the 100-mark for his career. Dickinson rolled to a 41-16 victory vs. McDaniel last weekend for the Devils' first win of 2010. QB Ricky Martz is second in the CC in pass efficiency (152.5) and third in total offense (219.0 ypg). WR Craig Helfer is fourth among qualifying receivers in yards per reception (17.1). PK Gordon Craig has connected on 4-of-6 field goals, including a 47-yarder. DL Adam Farrell is tied for second in sacks (1.0 per game).