WARRIOR FOOTBALL TO PLAY EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY IN SECOND ROUND OF NCAA PLAYOFFS

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – Due to a first round bye, the Lycoming College football team had to wait a week to find out who they would play in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. Saturday afternoon, the Warriors were forced to wait a little bit longer as the Trinity (Texas) – East Texas Baptist (ETBU) game went into overtime before a winner was decided. The Tigers of ETBU blocked an extra point in the extra period to claim the 42-41 victory and earn the right to travel to central Pennsylvania on Thanksgiving weekend.

East Texas Baptist earned their first ever trip to the NCAA playoffs by claiming the automatic bid from the American Southwest Conference. The Tigers finished the regular season in a three-way tie atop the conference standings with Mary Hardin-Baylor University and Hardin-Simmons University. ETBU received the automatic bid based on a point-differential tiebreaker. The Tigers went 8-2 during the regular season with their losses coming against Hardin-Simmons in overtime and versus Division II Southeastern Oklahoma State in week one of the season.

Lycoming will be making their 11^th appearance in the NCAA playoffs after winning their 13^th Middle Atlantic Conference championship and the automatic bid that now comes with it. The Warriors were 8-1 during the regular season with their only setback an 11-point loss to 9-2 Delaware Valley College.

ETBU is led by 10 first-team all-conference players, including: sophomore running back RoShawn Johnson (287 carries, 1,500 yds., 12 TD); senior wide receiver Jabori Jackson (44 rec., 737 yds., 6 TD); junior wide receiver Earl Morris (37 rec., 708 yds., 9 TD); senior defensive lineman Thomas Young-Davis (52 tackles, 5.5 sacks); junior defensive lineman Littleton Dean (70 tackles, 9.5 sacks); junior linebacker Greg Washington (121 tackles, 4.5 sacks); junior safety Damon Ausberry (20 tackles, 2 int.); senior cornerback Tyrone Robinson (37 tackles, 1 int.); senior placekicker Sean Struwe (46-of-47 PAT, 7-of-12 FG, long of 52); and senior punter Scott Verhalen (41.1 avg.).

Four other Tigers earned second-team all-conference honors, led by sophomore linebacker Micah Huckaby with 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions.

Lycoming is led by six first-team all-conference players, including: senior wide receiver Ricky Lannetti (65 rec., 915 yds., 5 TD); senior offensive lineman Matt Mendola; senior defensive end Sean McGinley (50 tackles, 11 sacks); sophomore linebacker Luke Sterling (54 tackles, 9 sacks); junior free safety Brian Kaspick (36 tackles, 4 int.); and freshman placekicker Chris Schrader (31-of-34 PAT, 7-of-12 FG, long of 42).

Four other Warriors were named second-team all-conference led by junior quarterback Phil Mann with 2,244 yards on 161-of-285 passing with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

ETBU is averaging 34.5 points per game on offense while only giving up 17.7 points per game. The Tigers average 411.7 yards of total offense – 182.4 on the ground and 229.4 through the air. Their defense has allowed just 268.9 yards of offense per game and has been especially stingy against the run giving up just 76.3 yards on the ground as compared to 192.6 yards via the pass.      

Lycoming enters the playoffs scoring 31.8 points per contest while giving up just 16.7 points to their opponents. The Warriors average 382.1 yards of total offense with 249.7 coming through the air and 132.4 coming on the ground. Defensively, Lycoming is allowing 275.1 yards of total offense per game, including 83.7 on the ground and 191.4 through the air.

The coaching match-up features fourth-year coach of ETBU and former member of the PGA tour Ralph Harris with a career record of 22-19 versus Lycoming’s Frank Girardi in his 32^nd season with a record of 240-73-5.

Kickoff for the game is scheduled for noon on Saturday, November 29, at David Person Field with the gates opening at 10:30 a.m. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $4 for students. Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Lycoming College athletic office Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.