PSAC Football Athletes of the Week - Week 1
Updated PSAC Standings
Updated PSAC Composite Schedule/Results
A pair of experienced quarterbacks share this week's PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week honor as Kutztown's
Kevin Morton and Shippensburg's
Zach Zulli both posted 400-yard games of total offense in leading their teams to wins. Millersville's
Jordan Rigby helped his team to one of its best individual game performances in the last few seasons to earn the East Defensive Player of the Week award.
Gannon's
Liam Nadler set a high standard for himself as he earned the West Offensive Player of the Week honor after breaking a school record in his first collegiate game. Clarion's
Andrew Paronish is the West Defensive Player of the Week after helping the Golden Eagles record a shutout.
PSAC Athletes of the Week - Sept. 2
(Week 1)
PSAC East Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Kevin Morton, Kutztown
QB, Sr., Abington, Pa./Abington
Morton, the two-time reigning PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year, accounted for seven of Kutztown's eight touchdowns in the Golden Bears' 58-6 season-opening win over St. Anselm on Thursday night. Morton completed 31-of-45 passes (68.9 percent) for 409 yards and six touchdowns while also rushing for 33 yards on just four attempts (8.2 ypc) and a touchdown. Morton had seven of his seven touchdowns he was responsible for in the first half as he accumulated 442 yards of offense. In the process, he set the Kutztown career record for touchdown passes, finishing the game with 91 career scoring strikes.
PSAC East Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Zach Zulli, Shippensburg
QB, Jr., Schwenksville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley
Zulli put up 410 yards of total offense and threw for four touchdowns to help lead Shippensburg to a 38-28 win over No. 19 Shepherd, which broke a seven-game losing streak for the Red Raiders against the Rams and marked Shippensburg's first win in the Great Valley Classic since 2004. He completed 26-of-35 passes (74.2 percent) for 392 yards and also ran 15 times for 18 yards. Zulli completed passes to nine different receivers as Shippensburg outscored Shepherd 21-0 in the second half. He was 12-of-15 for 191 yards in the second half alone as the Raiders overcame a 28-17 halftime deficit. Zulli posted his numbers against a defense that returned nine starters from last year's unit that led the country in total defense (254.6 ypg allowed).
PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week
Jordan Rigby, Millersville
LB, So., Silver Spring, Md./Northwood
Rigby's performance helped lead Millersville to a 41-17 win over West Virginia Wesleyan as the Marauders topped the Bobcats by 24 points just one year after falling by 52 to the Bobcats in last year's season opener. Rigby made five tackles, including a half-tackle for a loss of three yards, picked off two passes and returned one for a touchdown, and also broke up an additional pass as the Marauders held last year's top passing offense in Division II and one that averaged over 37 points per contest in 2011 to just 17 points. His 19-yard interception return for a touchdown turned the tide of the game as Millersville trailed 10-7 until his pick and score put the Marauders up to stay.
PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week
Liam Nadler, Gannon
QB, Fr., Leipsic, Ohio/Leipsic Local
In his collegiate debut, Nadler, a redshirt freshman, led Gannon to a 36-33 come-from-behind win over Lake Erie by throwing for a school record 420 yards and four touchdowns. He completed 27-of-44 passes (61.4 percent), his four touchdown passes tied a school record, and he became the first player in Gannon history to have a 400-yard passing game, breaking the old record of 285. With the Golden Knights trailing 33-29, Nadler led Gannon on a game-winning drive that started with 3:34 left to play and ended 80 yards, five plays and 2:29 later with the winning 12-yard TD pass on a fourth-and-two play. Nadler completed 4-of-4 passes for 74 yards on the final drive.
PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week
Andrew Paronish, Clarion
S, Sr., Hastings, Pa./Northern Cambria
Paronish helped the Golden Eagles record their first shutout since 2009 and their first home shutout in a home opener since 1986 as Clarion topped Fairmont State 7-0 while holding the Falcons to only 34 rushing yards. Paronish accounted for two Fairmont State turnovers, both of which occurred in Clarion territory, as he made an interception and forced a fumble and recovered it while also making six total tackles. Late in the second quarter, with the game scoreless and Fairmont driving, he forced a fumble at the Golden Eagles' 32-yard line and recovered it at the 35. Then, in the middle of the fourth quarter, with Clarion clinging to a one-score lead, he picked off a pass at the Clarion 28 and returned it 27 yards.
Team Notes
Bloomsburg
No. 25 Bloomsburg took down Stonehill College 44-28 in the first matchup between the two schools. Danny Hale moved into 14th on the D-II coaching victories list with 204. Franklyn Quiteh rushed for a game-high 218, moving into fourth-place on the BU all-time rushing list with 3,425. Eddie Mateo also eclipsed the triple-digit mark on the ground with 114 yards and a pair of scores. Overall, the Huskies dominated the rushing game, 369-33. Tim Kelly became the first redshirt-freshman to start at QB for BU since 2006…It had five interceptions and seven forced turnovers against Stonehill…The Huskies move on to play Edinboro on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m.
California
The Vulcans earned a 30-22 victory against No. 17 Hillsdale on Thursday in their season-opener … The win was the first under head coach Mike Kellar, who is now 3-0 all-time as a head coach in season-openers … It also marked the first Cal U home victory in a season-opener since 2008 (West Chester) … The Vulcans earned their first win against a nationally-ranked team since Sept. 2010 (Saginaw Valley) … Junior Trey Johnson, a former running back, set career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns after making his first career start at wide receiver … Senior preseason All-American Rontez Miles led the defense with 11 tackles and made a pass break-up in the end zone as time expired to preserve the victory … Senior QB Peter Lalich passed for 275 yards and four touchdowns in the victory, including 205 yards and three scores in the first half … Cal U will face No. 12 Kutztown on Saturday, marking the first time the Vulcans will open a season with two-straight Top 25 opponents since 2008 … The Vulcans will also open the year against a pair of defending league champions (Hillsdale/GLIAC, Kutztown/PSAC)
Cheyney
For the second time in as many years, Cheyney defeated Lincoln to start the football season. This year the Wolves prevailed 34-21 spoiling the opening of the new on-campus stadium at Lincoln … Just like last year, the Wolves jumped out on top, scoring the game’s first 27 points … The Wolves posted touchdowns on their first two possessions … Sophomore running back Justin Watkins capped off a 73 yard drive with an eight-yard rush around end for his first collegiate touchdown and the first points scored in the new Lincoln University Stadium … The Wolves and Lions were whistled for a combined 39 penalties for 393 yards … The Wolves defense forced an impressive five turnovers and had five sacks.
Clarion
Clarion opened its 2012 season with a 7-0 win over Fairmont State at Memorial Stadium. The win was the first opening day win since 2009, when Clarion defeated Fairmont 33-21. The previous opening day win came in 1996 when the Eagles downed W. V. Wesleyan 38-14. QB Ben Fiscus completed 14 of 21 passes for 136 yards and 1 td, and rushed 15 times for 77 yards. He is now the 16th leading rusher in Clarion history with 1,396 yards - tied for 16th with Fred Rost (1969-71). He is now the all-time leading running qb in school history, passing Adam Almashy's 1,339 yards (1999-2002). He has 300 career rushing attempts for an average of 4.65 per carry... Sophomore Bobby Thomas made his debut at running back and carried 20 times for 80 yards... the Clarion defense was stout holding the Falcons to 34 rushing yards on 30 carries ... Anthony Stimac led the "D" with 11 hits, Brian Palmiere had 10 stops and 1 tfl, while Nate Sipes posetd 8 tackles ... Defensive end Adam Bostick had a key interception, a fumble caused, 1 tfl and a break-up, while Andrew Paronish made a key interception in the fourth quarter and a fumble recovery ... Clarion also started a new "Eagles Nest" student Spirit Group on campus ... Over 650 free Eagles Nest T-Shirts were given out to students attending the game to become Eagles Nest members, part of the new Eagle Nation. Students receive preferred seating at athletic events throughout the year while wearing their T-Shirt at the contest... Clarion visits LIU-Post on Saturday, Sept. 8 for a 1pm kickoff.
East Stroudsburg
ESU enters its 39th season under Denny Douds, the PSAC’s all-time wins leader (232), who set the DII record for games coached last year … Douds enters the year with 397 games and will coach game #400 on Sept. 22 vs. Cheyney … Warriors are coming off back-to-back 3-8 seasons but have 8 starters back on an offense that ranked 5th in DII in passing last year … ESU will replace QB Ray Wagner, a Harlon Hill candidate, with either R-Jr. Nate Daniels, R-Fr. Matt Soltes or R-Sr. Steven Adams, the starter at Shippensburg in 2010 … ESU has the top 3 returning receivers in the PSAC in Jr. Dusty Reed (84.5 ypg), R-Sr. Jordan Hallman (77.6) and R-Jr. Robert Bleiler (65.9) … also back are senior backs Kendrick Williams (1,645 career rushing yards) and Eric Deery (870 career yards), and three-year starters Seve Rivers and Wrenton Wright II on the offensive line … Jr. K Taylor Groff is 27-35 on field goals in two years … the defense replaces eight starters, including OLB Derek Brown, who died July 5 due to injuries suffered in a car accident on June 30 … ESU hosts Lock Haven on Sept. 8, Shippensburg and Cheyney to open its 10-game schedule … Warriors last met Lock Haven on Sept. 8, 2007, winning 58-13 on the road ... Douds will face his 99th different head coach in John Allen of LHU … Marty Schaetzle of Mercyhurst will mark #100 in the season finale.
Edinboro
Edinboro opens the 2012 season at Bloomsburg. The Huskies were picked to finish second the PSAC East. The Fighting Scots last played the Huskies in 2007, coming away with an exciting 42-41 win at Redman Stadium. Edinboro leads the all-time series 6-2. The Fighting Scots were fourth in the PSAC West preseason poll … Scott Browning enters his seventh season as Edinboro’s head coach. He has posted a 45-23 record in his first six seasons, tying former mentor Tom Hollman for the most wins in the first six seasons as head coach … Among the assistant coaches on the Edinboro staff is Drew Browning, the son of Scott Browning and a freshman who will serve as a student assistant. He is coaching the tight ends … Cody Harris enters his junior season ranked sixth in career passing yards with 3,772 yards. He was a second team All-PSAC West selection in 2011 after completing a school-record 72.2 percent of his passes for 1,961 yards … Junior James Jackson was named a BSN third team preseason All-American at cornerback … Bryan Volk is Edinboro’s third offensive coordinator in the last three years. He joins the program after previously serving in the same capacity at Fordham.
Gannon
Gannon opened the season with a victory against Lake Erie for the fourth time during the last five years … Every Gannon-Lake Erie contest has been decided by one score and all five games have been decided by a combined 15 points … redshirt freshman quarterback Liam Nadler had a record-setting performance during his first collegiate start, breaking the school’s single-game passing record with 420 yards … his four passing touchdowns tied a school record and his 27 completions fell one shy of the school record … sophomores Abraham Ocasio and Joe Sobucki became the third duo in school history to have 100-yard receiving performances in the same game … Ocasio entered the game with 139 career yards, before hauling in 159 yards against Lake Erie … Sobucki had 23 career yards, before producing 106 yards … Brad Rzyczycki became only the second head coach in school history to win his debut.
IUP
IUP took a 7-0 lead early in the first half and did not look back, rolling to a 33-6 victory over Southern Connecticut…Sr. RB Harvie Tuck had 185 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries...R-Fr. Montay Green also eclipsed the 100-yard mark, rushing for 101 yards and a score on 20 carries…The IUP defense allowed just 47 yards on the ground and only 145 yards through the air… …Sr. QB Pat Smith was extremely efficient, going 11-of-16 for 141 yards… Smith hooked up with R-Jr. TE Tyler Dummermuth on a beautiful 51-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter…R-So. FB Dom Maggio had a team-high three catches...Preseason All-American K Brett Ullman nailed a 42-yard field goal at the end of the first half…IUP Has now won seven consecutive season-openers… R-Sr. DL Greg Meisner recorded five tackles and a sack on defense…The Crimson Hawks have allowed less than 10 points in three straight games dating back to last season.
Kutztown
Kutztown's Kevin Morton set the school record for career touchdown passes, finishing his day with six to run his career total to 91 as the 12th ranked Golden Bears opened their season with a 58-6 win over visiting Saint Anselm … KU also eclipsed the school record for total yardage with 723 yards of total offense in the game. Morton finished 31-of-45 for 406 yards passing and six touchdowns and rushed for 33 yards and another score as he accounted for seven of the team's eight scores … The defense also had a standout performance, limiting the Hawks to just 136 of offense and 39 yards rushing. It was the fewest yards rushing allowed by the KU defense since 2008 … The 136 yards of total offense allowed were fewest since 1999. Curtis Wortham had 120 yards rushing and an 81-yard touchdown … Josh Mastromatto scored two touchdowns, including a leaping, one-handed grab. He finished with 65 yards rushing and 78 receiving … Colby Tuell led the team with 98 yards receiving.
LIU Post
LIU Post opens its season at home against Clarion this Saturday after being idle for Week 1 … This will be the first-ever meeting for both teams as the Pioneers will now have played every football program currently competing in the PSAC … Head coach Bryan Collins enters his 15th season at the helm of the Pioneers with a 107-47 overall record that includes a 17-10 mark in PSAC conference play … The Pioneers come into the season ranked third in the PSAC East preseason poll … Redshirt sophomore quarterback Steven Laurino looks to build on his successful freshman campaign last season, where he passed for 1,870 yards and 19 touchdowns and added 764 yards on the ground with three touchdowns … Junior running back Jeff Mack led the Pioneers in rushing with 865 yards and eight touchdowns and looks to help lead the Pioneers in scoring … LIU Post will open up conference play on Sept. 15 at Cheyney.
Lock Haven
The Lock Haven University football team opened the 2012 season last Thursday at Division I (FCS) Fordham University. Lock Haven lost 55-0 to open the year 0-1 … The game marked the start of the second season under head-coach John Allen, who took over the job in March 2011 … Early in the season, the Bald Eagles have plenty to be happy about. They return 18 starters, including 10 on defense … LHU also returns a trio of All-PSAC players in the form of Anthoy Herko, Skyler Wool and tailback Brandon Brader … Last year, Brader rushed for 942 yards on 253 carries. His 94.2 yards/game were the fifth-best in the PSAC and his 942 total yards were the most of any Bald Eagle since the 1999 season. Brader was a second-team All-PSAC selection last year. His 253 carries was the most by an individual back in the PSAC … A bright spot for LHU is also the return of fifth-year senior QB Jarrett Kratzer. The start vs. Fordham was the 14th of his career … Lock Haven also returns kicker Noah Heimer, who is on the Fred Mitchel Award watch list after leading the team in scoring last year … The loss to Fordham was the 43rd straight for Lock Haven, with the Bald Eagles last win coming in the 2007 season finale at Clarion. LHU beat Clarion 17-14 on an OT field-goal. The Haven’s 43 game-losing skid is the longest active losing streak in the nation, despite playing-division. LHU is looking for its first winning season since 1981 (6-5/5-5 in 1982).
Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst dropped a 59-42 decision at Notre Dame College on Thursday night, the program's first-ever loss to the Falcons in three meetings … The 59 points the Lakers allowed were the most since losing 59-7 to Grand Valley State on October 6, 2007 and the 101 combined points were the most since Mercyhurst lost to Ashland 59-43 on September 29, 2007 … Mercyhurst's 42 points were the most points they scored in a season opener since September 4, 1999 when the Lakers scored 49 in a 49-35 win over Wayne State … The 59 points allowed were the most points allowed by Mercyhurst in a season opener. Mercyhurst dropped to 22-10 lifetime in season openers, but just 5-6 under head coach Marty Schaetzle … Senior wide receiver Paris Bruner had an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown - the fourth-longest return in program history … He finished the night with 210 kickoff return yards, setting a program record which was previously held by Andrew Bailey. Bailey had 197 against Clarion in 2009 … Junior Vladmir Rock switched to wide receiver this season after playing his first two seasons at defensive back. He had three catches for 72 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown in the Lakers' first drive … Redshirt freshman Devyn Woods had five catches for 77 yards and his first two collegiate touchdowns … The Lakers turned the ball over eight times in the contest (two interceptions, six fumbles) - the most turnovers in a game since committing eight against Gannon on August 27, 2005 … Mercyhurst will be at Millersville next Saturday for the first meeting between the two schools.
Millersville
Wearing a new uniform style for the first time since 1982, Millersville rolled to its most lopsided opening-game victory since 1999. The 41 points scored were the most since defeating Bowie State 41-0 in 1999. It was a complete turnaround after suffering a 55-3 loss to W.Va. Wesleyan in the 2011 season opener, which was the worst opening day loss in school history. Millersville's two new offensive weapons--QB Ted Stachitas and RB Myron Myles--shined. Stachitas totaled 286 yards of offense, passed for a TD and rushed for one. His 120 yards rushing were the most by a Marauder QB since 2007. He totaled two runs of more than 40 yards. He also had a pass of 42 yards. Myles rushed for 93 yards on 18 carries including a 25-yard TD run. Mike Jones totaled a career-high three touchdowns. Jordan Rigby intercepted two passes (the first of his career), and the second he returned 19-yards for a touchdown--Millersville's first INT return for a score since the 2008 opener against Bentley. The win was Millersville's first in a season opener at home since defeating Glenville State 27-25 in 2003. It was the second season-opening victory in Greg Colby's five seasons. David Coates had kick returns of 61 and 48 yards. The 61-yard return was a career-best, topping his 60-yard return against Wesleyan in the 2011 opener. Millersville is now 36-15 all-time in home night games, and 15-5-2 in season openers held at Biemesderfer Stadium.
Shippensburg
Shippensburg snapped a seven-game losing streak in the Great Valley Classic by defeating No.19 Shepherd in the Great Valley Classic, 38-28…SU scored 24 unanswered points to close the game…it was the first win in a season opener for SU since 2005…SU is now 57-46-4 all-time in season-opening games…SU had allowed 1,133 combined yards in the last two meetings with the Rams but gave up just 277 on Saturday, including just 94 in the second half…junior quarterback Zach Zulli threw for a career-high 392 yards – the third-highest single-game total in SU history – and completed 26-of-35 passes with four touchdowns… sophomore wide receiver Trevor Harman reeled in six catches for 105 yards and a pair of scores…SU had not won a season opener since 2005…SU missed a field goal Saturday for the first time since Oct. 7, 2010 (17 games)…the Red Raiders won the time of possession battle by nine minutes (34:30 – 25:30), which is the worst margin for the Rams in a game since Oct. 23, 2010…junior place kicker Michael Lloyd benefited from the new NCAA kickoff rule and finished with two touchbacks, which matches SU’s season total from last year…SU’s 68 rushing yards are its fewest in a victory since Sep. 9, 2000…the Red Raiders are now 31-7 since 2006 when leading after three quarters.
Slippery Rock
Rock scored 50 or more points for second consecutive season and third time in four meetings with Seton Hill ... Jr. CB Anthony Saunders' 50-yard INT return TD was third recorded by a Rock defender in the last two meetings with Seton Hill ... Pick was Saunders' fourth in three collegiate seasons ... Sr. DE Jeff Thompson recorded 2.5 QBS/TFL to move into 10th place on both SRU career lists ... Rock defenders recorded six QBS Thursday night ... Rock D held Seton Hill to minus-16 yards rushing ... R-So. QB Jared Buck passed for three TDs and ran for a fourth and completed passes to eight different receivers in his first collegiate start ... Jr. P James McCombie averaged 46.3 yards on three punts, two of which were downed inside the Seton Hill 20-yard line ... Rock's point total Thursday night was their highest opening-game mark since the 1972 team coached by Bob DiSpirito, for which current Rock head coach George Mihalik was the starting quarterback, scored a 54-0 win over Brockport State ... Rock now 8-1 in season openers at home under Mihalik, who is celebrating his silver anniversary as SRU's head coach ... Rock travels to Shippensburg for Sept. 8 game, first meeting between SRU and SU since 2007.
West Chester
West Chester dropped a 41-21 decision at Delaware in the season opener Thursday … Delaware leads the all-time series 47-6-2 … the Blue Hens won the last 19 meetings, dating back to 1992, in a series that will not be continued next season … Jr., QB Sean McCartney’s 4-yard TD run in the first quarter was the first rushing touchdown of his career … he suffered a leg injury in the third quarter and did not return … Jr., DB Matt Carroll’s interception in the second quarter was the first INT of his career … Jr., RB Rondell White’s 49-yard rush and 52-yard rush in the third quarter are the two longest carries of his career … his 209 yards rushing marked a career-high … it was also the most rushing yards accumulated by a Golden Rams running back against Delaware in series history … White’s 209 rushing yards are the third-highest total accrued against Delaware in a game and the highest by a visiting player in Delaware Stadium history … it is also the 14th highest single-game total in school history … So., MLB Ronell Williams’ interception at the goal line in the third quarter was the first of his career … all three of West Chester’s scoring drives were 80 yards or longer, including a 98-yard scoring drive … West Chester battles Gannon Saturday in its home opener … it will mark the first meeting between the two schools.