THE GAME: While it may be hard to top last season’s record-setting 62-61 double overtime contest, Susquehanna and Juniata appear poised for another classic when they meet for the 61st time Saturday – the longest active series for both. This will be the 41st time the two have played for possession of the Goal Post Trophy, which is an actual piece of the goal post Juniata students “captured” after a 12-7 upset win at Susquehanna in 1952. It’s surprising the goal posts were left standing last season at Stagg Field as these two rivals broke two NCAA scoring records, and broke or tied five Middle Atlantic Conference offensive records in the game, which featured 123 points and a combined 1,093 yards of total offense. The win was Susquehanna’s third-straight in the rivalry, although Juniata still holds a slim 29-28-3 series lead – including a 21-18-1 edge in Goal Post Trophy games. Don’t expect as many fireworks Saturday as both teams have made significant improvements to their defenses from a year ago, with Juniata ranking first in the MAC and 22nd as of last week in Division III (255.3 yards per game), and Susquehanna third in the MAC and 29th in D-III (280.0 yards per game). Then again, Juniata is also first in the MAC in total offense (412.0 yards per game), while Susquehanna is just fifth (352.0 yards per game) and reeling from being shutout for the first time since the second game of 1994. Inside the overall numbers are some interesting match-ups. Juniata leads the MAC and is 28th nationally in pass offense (315.8 yards per game), while Susquehanna is second in the conference against the pass (173.5 yards per game). The Crusaders are third in MAC rushing offense (153.8 yards per game), while the Eagle defense is the third toughest to run against in the conference and ranks 11th nationally (61.8 yards per game). Each team has a conference loss, but Juniata is 2-0 in the Commonwealth League while Susquehanna will play its league opener.
THE COACHES: Tenth-year head coach Steve Briggs is the winningest coach in Susque-hanna grid history at 64-32 (.667), and is 7-2 (.778) vs. Juniata. He began the year 36th among active D-III coaches in winning percentage. Also a Crusader assistant for two years, he has never suffered a losing season at Susquehanna. Kevin Burke is in his second year as Juniata head coach and is 8-6 (.571). An offensive assistant coach with the Eagles from 1994 through ’97, he led last season’s team to a school record for passing yardage with 2,742.
THE CRUSADER OFFENSE (DELAWARE WING-T): Last Saturday’s performance left some questions for the Crusader offensive coaches. Topping that list is who will be the starting quarterback this week? Senior Andy Berwager (Hanover/South Western H.S.) is a three-year starter who has struggled thus far – hitting on 36 of 69 passes for 428 yards with two TDs and three INTs (105.1 rating). Freshman Mike Bowman (Northumberland/Shikellamy H.S.) was a second-team all-state big school selection last season. He has relieved Berwager in all four games this season and while his numbers are lower, hitting on 28 of 68 passes (41.2%) for 365 yards with two TDs and four INTs, he has provided an offensive spark in two of them. If Bowman starts, he could be one of four freshmen offensive skill position starters. Jon Dvorshock (Picture Rocks/Hughesville H.S.) made his first collegiate start at fullback last week, subbing for injured junior Ryan Cidzik (Rome, N.Y./Rome Free Academy H.S.). The other two freshmen are split end Tim Ronchi (Factoryville/Lackawanna Trail H.S.), who has caught 13 passes for 154 yards (11.8 avg.), and tight end John Smith (Orland Park, Ill./Providence Catholic H.S.), who has five catches for 100 yards (20.0 avg.) and a TD. Junior halfback Rashonn Drayton (Allentown/Allentown Central Catholic H.S.) is fifth in MAC rushing with 308 yards on 77 carries (4.0 avg./77.0 yards per game) and three touchdowns.The 6-2, 225-pounder is a former prep All-American who also has caught nine passes for 176 yards (19.6 avg.) and a score. Former Allentown Central Catholic All-State teammate and senior tri-captain Jose Delgado has rushed for 178 yards on 32 carries (5.6 avg.) and two TDs, and is ninth in MAC kickoff return average (19.1). The veteran offensive line returns four starters and averages 6-1, 260 pounds per man.
THE EAGLE OFFENSE (MULTIPLE I): Senior quarterback Joe Montrella threw for an MAC record seven touchdowns against the Crusaders last year while completing 25 of 41 for a school record 476 yards. Junior wideout Matt Eisenberg had seven catches for 227 yards and three scores in that game. Montrella was MAC Offensive Player of the Week two weeks ago for completing 22 of 38 passes for 330 yards and four TDs in the win over Wilkes, while Eisenberg earned it this week for shattering three school records and one MAC mark with 14 catches for 314 yards and four TDs at Albright. Eisenberg has 22 catches for 501 yards and six scores in the last two weeks and leads the MAC in receiving with 32 for 621 yards (8.0 rec./game; 19.4 avg.) and seven TDs. Montrella is second in MAC total offense (256.0 yards per game), ranking third in passing efficiency while hitting 67 of 124 for 1,038 yards with 10 TDs and three picks (146.1 rating). But the Eagles don’t rely solely on the pass as freshman tailback Drew Onkst has tranferred in from D-II Millersville and is third in the MAC in rushing with 340 yards on 81 carries (4.2 avg./85.0 yards per game) and two scores. He runs behind a veteran line which averages 6-1, 272 pounds per man. Three-year starting tackle and senior Randy Williams is the leader and was a second-team league All-Star last year.
THE CRUSADER DEFENSE (4-3): Sophomore strong safety Dave Howard (Frackville/North Schuylkill H.S.) is this week’s Gus Weber Crusader Player of the Week, sponsored by the Golden Corral. Howard had eight tackles (six solo), including two for losses of 12 yards, with a sack, an end zone interception, and two pass break-ups. He leads the team with three break-ups and has 23 stops (13 solo). Senior tackle Casey Goff (New Milford/Montrose H.S.) had three tackles last week, including two for losses of 24 yards with a forced fumble which fellow senior defensive end Denny Bowers (Westminster, Md./Westminster H.S.) recovered on the Wilkes eight. A tri-captain, Bowers leads the team with seven tackles for losses of 39 yards, three sacks and two kick blocks among his 14 stops (10 solo). He will go against his sophomore brother in Juniata tight end Matt Bowers Saturday. Sophomore linebacker Troy Sosnovik (Belvidere, N.J./Belvidere H.S.) leads the team with 35 tackles (13 solo). Freshman corner Antonio Nash (Washington, D.C./Spring Brook, Md. H.S.) leads the MAC in punt return average (16.4), and is tied in INTs with four (1.0 avg.).
THE EAGLE DEFENSE (MULTIPLE 40): The Eagles now have a blitzing style similar to the one Widener effectively used a year ago. That style has produced 21 sacks thus far. Junior tackle Jeremy Patterson leads the group with five sacks and 12 tackles for 56 yards in losses among his 24 stops (11 solo). He had five tackles for 27 lost yards, including two sacks, last week at Albright. Junior inside linebacker Ed Pfursich is the team tackle leader with 42 (18 solo), with six for losses of 22 yards and four pass break-ups. Back deep, returning league All-Star and all-region senior cornerback Brad Hahn continues to be the leader. Second in the MAC in interceptions a year ago with seven (0.7 per game), Hahn has a team best seven pass break-ups already this season.
THE CRUSADER KICKERS: Sophomore Ryan Hollis (Mifflin/Juniata H.S.) is third in MAC punting average (37.5) and has five catches for 71 yards. Freshman Andy Nadler (Westport, Conn./Staples H.S.) is fifth in MAC kick scoring with 17 points (11-12 PATs, 2-6 FGs).
THE EAGLE KICKERS: Freshman Bill Reddinger has improved the Eagle placekicking game, ranking second in the MAC with 32 points – hitting all 14 PATs and 6 of 8 FGs, including a 39-yarder. Junior Brandon Bateman ranks fourth in conference punting (37.3 avg.).
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