GAME #3
Susquehanna University (0-1) vs. #9 Lycoming College (2-0)
September 21, 2002 - 1:30 p.m.
David Person Field (3,700)
Williamsport, Pa.

THE STORY: The Warriors welcome longtime rival Susquehanna University to David Person Field this afternoon. The two teams come together for the 42nd time and will battle for the Amos Alonzo Stagg Old Hat Trophy. Lycoming enters the game with a mark of 2-0 after victories over Delaware Valley and Lebanon Valley in the first two weeks of the season. The Warriors have been paced by a defense that has allowed just one touchdown in eight quarters so far this season. The Crusaders will look to rebound from a 27-7 season opening loss to McDaniel (formerly Western Maryland). Susquehanna managed just two yards rushing against the Green Terror.

RADIO AND TV: Today’s game is being broadcast live on WRAK-AM (1400) in Williamsport, and WRLC-FM (91.7), the Lycoming College radio station. Ken Sawyer and Bill Byham will call the action for WRAK. Andy Slawecki and Mike Dondarski will handle the broadcast for WRLC.

THE COACHES: 
Lycoming – Frank Girardi (West Chester, 1961)
Career: 228-69-5 (.763)/31st season
At Lycoming: 228-69-5 (.763)/31st season
Susquehanna – Steve Briggs (Springfield, 1984)
Career: 79-44 (.642)/13th season
At Susquehanna: 79-44 (.642)/13th season

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORD: Lycoming leads series – 21-19-1 (.524)

LAST MEETING: LYCOMING 45 SUSQUEHANNA 20
September 15, 2001 – Lopardo Stadium, Selinsgrove, Pa.
Lycoming scored 29 unanswered points in the second half to pull away from the Crusaders and regain possession of the Old Hat Trophy on Susquehanna’s field. Tim Deasey rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Jon Neve added 67 yards on just six carries. Joe Feerrar completed 13-of-24 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns, both to Chris Dauber. Ryan Rupprecht returned a fumble for a touchdown and led the Warrior defense with 10 tackles. Matt Henrich added eight tackles and intercepted a pass.

LAST GAME: LYCOMING 24 LEBANON VALLEY 6
September 14, 2002 – Arnold Field, Annville, Pa.
The Warriors scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to overcome three scoreless trips inside the redzone against Lebanon Valley a week ago. Phil Mann threw for 238 yards on 14-of-21 passing, including a 54-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Lannetti. Lannetti ended the game with seven catches for 173 yards. Jared Morris and Jon Neve rushed for 127 and 103 yards respectively to lead Lycoming’s ground game. Luke Sterling recorded nine tackles, including a sack, to lead a Warrior defense that held the Dutchmen to 188 yards of total offense.

LYCOMING’S OFFENSE: The Warriors’ offense is off to a strong start averaging 39 points and 459 yards per game. The team’s rushing attack is the best in the MAC with an average of 283 yards per game. Lycoming’s running game is two-headed monster with both Jared Morris and Jon Neve averaging more than 100 yards per contest. Morris has carried the ball 33 times for 232 yards and two scores in two games. Neve has 208 yards on 37 carries and has scored three times. Phil Mann has completed 22-of-36 passes for 344 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Ricky Lannetti has been Mann’s primary target, catching 10 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown through two games.

SUSQUEHANNA’S DEFENSE: The Crusaders gave up 426 yards of total offense to McDaniel last weekend, including 318 yards rushing. Defensive back Antonio Nash led the team with 10 tackles including one for a loss. Nick Chesney chipped in eight stops and recovered a fumble.

SUSQUEHANNA’S OFFENSE: Susquehanna struggled to run the ball against the Green Terror gaining on two yards on the ground. The passing game was a bit more successful, accounting for 199 yards and the team’s lone touchdown. Senior quarterback Mike Bowman completed 15-of-31 passes for 199 yards and a score. Mark Bartosic made four catches for 83 yards and the touchdown. Tim Ronchi added six receptions for 56 yards. Jordan Rawlins was the Crusaders’ leading rusher with 12 yards on eight carries.

LYCOMING’S DEFENSE: Lycoming’s defense has been impressive in two outings this year, allowing just one touchdown overall and less than 125 yards of total offense per game. The Warriors rank first in the MAC in total defense, scoring defense, and passing defense, while ranking second against the rush. The front four have been led by Chris Roantree and Zach Latsha. The duo has recorded nine and seven tackles, respectively, and have combined for five sacks. The linebackers are led by freshman Luke Sterling who leads the team with 13 tackles on the year. Matt Henrich leads a talented secondary with three interceptions and a total of five passes defended.

MATCH-UP TO WATCH: Mike Bowman and Mark Bartosic versus Lycoming’s secondary. Bartosic has been a record-breaking receiver for the Crusaders and was a first-team conference all-star last season. In last year’s matchup with the Warriors he caught four passes for 123 yards, including a 60 yard touchdown. Last week he led Susquehanna’s offense with 83 receiving yards on four catches and scored the team’s only touchdown. Lycoming’s secondary is billed as the strength of the defense. Through two games, opponents have completed just 15-of-43 passes for 202 yards and have been intercepted five times.

AFCA POLL: The American Football Coaches Association released their first top-25 poll of the season on Tuesday morning. Coaches from around the country have dubbed Lycoming as the number nine team in Division III through two weeks of play. Widener is the only other MAC team in the top-25 coming in at fifth. Juniata, Wilkes, and King’s also received votes in the poll.

OTHER RANKINGS: Lycoming is also ranked 12th in the nation by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. Widener enters Hansen’s top-40 at number three.

CAREER DAY: Lycoming junior Ricky Lannetti was known around the conference prior to last week, but only as a dangerous kick returner. He can now legitimately add game-breaking wide receiver to his title. Against Lebanon Valley, Lannetti caught seven passes for 173 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter that sealed the victory for the Warriors. Entering last week’s contest Lannetti had three career receptions for 32 yards.

LEADERS OF THE MAC: Several players in today’s game rank among the leaders in the MAC in a variety of statistical categories. For Lycoming, Matt Henrich leads the conference in interceptions and passes defended; Zach Latsha is thid in sacks; Jared Morris and Jon Neve rank third and fourth respectively in rushing; Ricky Lannetti ranks fourth in receiving yards per game and fifth in receptions per game; and Phil Mann is fourth in the conference in passing efficiency. For Susquehanna, Tom Ronchi is second in receptions per game; Antonio Nash is second in punt returns and kickoff returns; and Mike Bowman is fourth in passing yards per game and fifth in total offense.

ATHLETIC UPDATES VIA E-MAIL: Weekly updates on all of Lycoming’s athletic teams are now available via e-mail. If you would like to receive these updates, simply send an e-mail to: dietrich@lycoming.edu and ask to be added to the Warrior Update List. 

ACTION AROUND THE MAC:
Septemebr 21, 2002
Delaware Valley at King’s
Lebanon Valley at Widener
Albright at Juniata