DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE 39-PAGE NOTES HERE (PDF)

Complete game notes for the Lycoming-Widener football game are now available for download. The 39-page notes can be downloaded by clicking the link at the top of this page.

Included in the notes are game information, head-to-head stats, national rankings, rosters, depth charts, game info, school info, Lycoming records and year-by-year results, Lycoming coach Mike Clark and Lycoming captains bios and complete 2008 statistics and ranking summaries for both teams.

Broadcast Information

Saturday’s game is being broadcast by ESPN Radio (WLYC). The game can be heard on 104.1 FM and 1050 AM in Lycoming County and can be heard online via a free Web stream at: www.espnwilliamsport.com.

The Coaches

Warrior first-year head coach Mike Clark (Lycoming ’93) has recorded back-to-back wins to improve to 2-1 for the season. His offense tallies 364.33 yards per game, topping the MAC. Clark and the coaching staff have the team leading the MAC in eight categories.

David Wood (Widener ’91) is three games deep into his sixth-year at the helm of the Pride program. Last season, he led the team to its 17th MAC title and 12th trip to the NCAA playoffs. Wood has compiled a record of 36-20 in his time as the head coach and has been with the program as a player or coach for 20 years.

The Series

Saturday’s game will be the 31st meeting between the two teams in a series that dates back to 1954, when Widener was known as Penn Military. The Warriors hold a 17-13 advantage in the series but are 4-6 in the last 10 meetings.

2007 - Widener 16, Lycoming 14                  2002 - Widener 20, Lycoming 14 (OT)
2006 - Lycoming 15, Widener 12                  2001 - Lycoming 35, Widener 0
2005 - Widener 15, Lycoming 7                    2000 - Widener 50, Lycoming 49 (OT)
2004 - Widener 7, Lycoming 0                     1999 - Lycoming 30, Widener 0
2003 - Lycoming 45, Widener 22                  1998 - Lycoming 15, Widener 13

The Last Time They Met

The last meeting between the two teams was played Sept. 29, 2007, at David Person Field. The Pride kicked a field goal with 4:31 left to play in the game to secure a 16-14 win. Lycoming’s scores came from a 61-yard Josh Kleinfelter run and a nine-yard Tim Hook touchdown pass. The Pride held a 280-239 advatnage in total offense and the Warriors turned the ball over twice in the game.

                              1     2    3    4    Score
Widener                  13   0    0    3    16
Lycoming                 7    0    0    7    14

Last Time Out

The Warriors rode the momentum of seven first half sacks by the defense to put 34 first half points on the board en route to a 34-17 win against Bridgewater on Sept. 27.

For the third-straight game, Lycoming posted more than 300 yards of total offense, outgaining the Eagles 339-163.

The stifling Warrior defense posted eight sacks in the game and gave up just 35 yards of offense in the first half.

Sophomore quarterback Tim Hook, starting for the injured Colin Dwyer, posted a career-high 103 rushing yards, including a 40-yard touchdown run. He also completed 10-of-24 passes for 162 yards.

Josh Kleinfelter had another big day on the ground, finishing with 19 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Kyle Murren and Chris Tribanas led the defensive effort. Murren had 2.0 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss while Tribanas had 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss.

Scott Erikson was 4-for-4 on PAT attempts and was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts in the game.

                              1    2     3     4        Final
Bridgewater             0    0     7     10       17
Lycoming                10  24   0      0        34

Notes: Saturday’s win was the fifth in row at home for Lycoming, dating back to the 2007 season … The win was the 255th in the career of Steve Wiser, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator … Saturday marked the first time in over a year that the Warriors had back-to-back 100-yard rushers, with Kleinfelter against Susquehanna and Hook against Bridgewater … Since having a PAT blocked at Ithaca, Erikson is a perfect 8-for-8 on extra point attempts … Nate Robley (Williamsburg, Pa.) made his first career reception in the game (19 yards) … Lycoming scored on its opening drive for the second-straight week … Bierbach took over the kick return duties for an injured Josh Dixon (Fleetville, Pa.) and had his second-straight week with more than 80 return yards … The only previous meeting between the two teams was the NCAA quarterfinals in 2003, when Bridgewater defeated Lycoming 13-9 after the game was moved to a Sunday following a snow storm … that game was played less than 24 hours after the death of the Warriors star receiver, Ricky Lanetti.

More Players of the Week

For the second-straight week, Lycoming landed two MAC Players of the Week. Kyle Murren was honored with the defensive nod while Ray Bierbach earned the special teams plaudit.

Murren was second on the team in tackles with seven against Bridgewater, including 2.0 sacks (minus 16 yards) and 3.5 tackles for a loss (minus 19 yards).

Bierbach earned the honor as a return man, returning four punts for 86 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown return. His day helped improve the Warriors to 20th in the nation in punt returns.

Warriors in the Rankings

Lycoming ranks first in the conference in eight different categories. The Warriors top national ranking comes in sacks, where the team averages 5.00 per game. The defense also ranks eighth in the nation in total defense, allowing just 218.33 yards per game and 27th in rush defense (74.00 ypg).

Ray Bierbach and Josh Dixon have the Warriors ranked 20th in the nation in punt returns, averaging 14.20 yards per return.

Lycoming leads the MAC in rushing offense (164.00 ypg), total offense (364.33 ypg), rushing defense (74.00 ypg), pass efficiency defense (101.49), total defense (218.33 ypg), punt returns (14.20 ypr) and sacks (5.0 spg).

Josh Kleinfelter ranks 17th in the nation and leads the MAC in rushing and leads the conference at 134.00 yards per game.

Bierbach ranks fifth in the nation and leads the league in punt returns, averaging 20.50 yards per return.

Scott Erikson is tied for 18th in Division III for field goals, averaging 1.00 per game.

Scouting Lycoming

Kleinfelter leads the offense with 78 carries for 402 yards and five touchdowns. In his 78 attempts, he has lost just five yards, posting a gross total of 407 yards. He has also caught six passes for 62 yards.

Colin Dwyer has completed 33-of-52 pass attempts for 372 yards and three touchdowns while being intercepted four times. Tim Hook is 17-of-37 for 229 yards with three interceptions. He also has one rushing touchdown.

Mark Ryan leads the receivers in catches, pulling down 13 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown. Ryan Wagaman has 11 catches for 82 yards and Brad Shellenberger has 10 catches for a team-high 211 yards and one touchdown. His per-catch average is 21.1 yards.

Bierbach has returned six punts for 123 yards and one touchdown. Josh Dixon returned four kicks for 19 yards.

Bierbach took over the kick return duties last week and has returned three kicks for 76 yards, an average of 25.3 yards per return.

Chuck Bellitto has the team’s lone interception, which he added a 32-yard return to against Susquehanna. He also leads the team in tackles with 17 solo stops and 12 assisted tackles.

Ben Rosa sits second on the team in tackles with 10 solo and 12 assisted, and has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Ted Geurds and Chris Tribanas each have 3.5 sacks for the season while Tribanas leads the team in tackles for a loss with 4.5. Geurds and Matt Licci each have 4.0 tackles for a loss. Jim Daley leads the team in pass breakups with three.

Widener's Last Time Out

The Pride rebounded from a 41-9 loss against No.15 Wesley to pick up a 30-24 win against Frostburg State on the road last Saturday, Sept. 27.

A big first half was key for Widener as the team scored 13 points in the first quarter and 10 in the second quarter. Frostuburg State mounted a comeback, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter, but fell short.

Fullback Ian Decker led the way for the Pride, carrying the ball 25 times for 84 yards and three touchdowns on the day. The team totaled 147 rushing yards.

Quarterback Bob Brice was efficient, completing 11-of-19 passes for 127 yards.

His favorite target on the day was Marcus Payton, who caught four passes for 44 yards.

Widener’s fourth touchdown came from Joe Favinger, who returned an interception 12 yards for a score.

Widener was outgained 319-274 in the game, but managed to cause five turnovers in the game, including three fumbles and two interceptions.

Fred Ferro led the defense with eight total tackles while Keith Wilson added seven tackles and 1.5 sacks for a loss of 18 yards.

                             1     2      3     4      Final
Widener                 13   10    7     0      30
Frostburg State       3     7     0     14    24

Scouting the Pride

The Pride offense is a balanced attack between the running game and the passing game. The team averages 246.0 yards of total offense per game with 125.7 coming on the ground and 120.3 coming through the air.

Ian Decker leads the rushing attack with 48 carries for 151 yards and three touchdowns this season. He averages 50.3 yards per game. Starting tailback Steve Cook has carried the ball 22 times for 54 yards.

Bob Brice and Drew Lagomarsino have each taken snaps under center. Brice has completed 16-of-28 attempts for 186 yards and no touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. Lagomarsino is 14-of-30 with one touchdown and two interceptions. The team has just one passing TD for the year.

Marcus Payton caught that TD pass and leads the team in receptions with six catches for 118 yards, an average of 19.7 yards per catch. Michael Penna is second on the team with four receptions for 40 yards.

Matthew Breslin is 2-for-2 on field goal attempts this season, both coming from under 30 yards.

In three games this season, Widener has scored just three points in the fourth quarter, but has come out of the gates strong, scoring 19 in the first stanza. They have given up only 23 points in the first half but have allowed 27 points in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth.

Zach Smith leads the defense with 28 total tackles. Joe Favinger has six tackles for a loss and 2.0 sacks.

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