SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

KING'S FOOTBALL TRAVELING TO FACE DEFENDING MAC CHAMPION WIDENER

WILKES-BARRE --  The King's College football team will open the 2015 season on Saturday when the Monarchs play host to Moravian College in a non-conference matchup at McCarthy Stadium. The contest will also serve as the first night football game since the Monarchs began playing varsity football games at the Betzler Athletic Complex in 1993.

King's is looking to improve on a 4-6 record of a year ago while Moravian is coming off a 5-5 mark. The Monarchs enter the season with the task of replacing its top-four offensive players, including three who graduated near to top of ing's school-records in several categories.  A veteran defensive unit will look to establish itself from the start until the offense matures.

ON THE AIR:
The game will be available online via LiveStats and Live Video. Go to the following links to access both.

LiveStats:  http://www.sidearmstats.com/widener/football/

Video:  http://livestream.com/accounts/9863050

Watch Coach Knarr's Game Preview Here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IOi6er7wGQ

ABOUT THE GAME:
Saturday's game is the first day of MAC competition. Both squads enter the contest with 0-1 records. King's dropped a 21-17 heartbreaker to Moravian on a last-minute touchdown. Widener also fell in its home opener with a  24-10 setback versus perennial power Rowan.

ABOUT THE SERIES:
This is the 22nd meeting between the programs with Widener holding an 18-3 lead. The Pride won last season's game 55-6 in Wilkes-Barre. King's last win over Widener was in 2009 when the Monarchs won 35-24 in Chester.

THE COACHES:
Monarch mentor Jeff Knarr is in his sixth season of rebuilding the program at King's and owns a 14-37 career record. Widener coach Mike Kelly is in his second year with the Pride and is 12-2 overall.

LAST YEAR:
Widener opened a 42-0 half-time lead thanks to a 28-point second quarter, en route to a 55-6 triumph. The Pride owned a 525-356 advantage in total yards as the Monarchs committed three costly turnovers.

KING'S ON OFFENSE:  MULTIPLE-I
The Monarchs offense managed 281 yards of total offense last week against Moravian. KIng's passed for 206 yards but rushed for only 75 yards in the game, averaging 2.1 yards per-attempt. Senior quarterback Tom Hehre made his first career start in the game and completed 18-of-32 passes for 206 yards and one score. he also rushed for 43 yards on 13 carries. Freshman tailback Gabe Brown rushed for 45 yards on 19 carries in his first collegiate start.

Sophomore wide receiver Matt Demarco, a transfer from Division I-AA Monmouth, posted a team-high six catches for 52 yards. Junior Mike Palmer, another first-year starter, made four receptions for 56 yards and one score. Sophomore split end Marquis Miller had three catches while fellow sophomore Tyler Marroni added two.  King's offensive  line is led by four returning starters -   senior center Mark Vetterlein, senior tackle Evan Foster, junior guard Andrew Zub, and junior tackle Jake Dever.

WIDENER ON OFFENSE:  MULTIPLE
Although Widener fell to Rowan, the Pride held a number of statistical advantages. Widener held a 24-8 advantage in first downs. The Pride also outgained Rowan 342-239 in total yards. JUnior quarterback Seth Klein completed 33-of-54 passes for 264 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the game. He also rushed for 25 yards in the contest. The rest of the team rushed for 50 yards as Widener finished the game with only 75 net yards on 36 carries. Senior wide-out Philip Ragona led Widener with eight receptions for 53 yards while junior receiver Blaine Price, junior  split end Eric Sharpe, and senior running back Robert Getz added five catches apiece.  Eight different Widener players caught passes against Rowan.

KING'S ON DEFENSE:  MULTIPLE 3-4
The Monarchs defense, led by 10 returning starters got off to a slow start last week but was outstanding in the second half. King's allowed 327 yards of total offense, including 120 rushing yards in the first half. The Monarchs, however, held Moravian to just 11 rushing yards on 14 carries in the second half.  The group is led by junior 2014 All-MAC linebacker Bobby Russell who posted a team-high nine tackles with an interception and a sack against Moravian.  

Senior defensive end Michael Martina followed with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks.  Senior safety Anthony Martuccio added seven tackles with an interception while sophomore safety Jake Manetti registered six tackles. Fifth-year senior outside linebacker Chad Curtice made five tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss while senior linebacker James Burke also accounted for five tackles. Senior cornerback Tyler Mejasic and sophomore linebacker Hassan Maxwell chipped in with three tackles apiece.

WIDENER ON DEFENSE:  MULTIPLE
The Widener defense, one of the top-rated units in the nation last season, yielded 242 yards of total offense last week against Rowan. The Pride allowed 181 rushing yards on 40 carries. Senior defensive end Brandon Jones led the Pride with 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Junior linebacker Steve Gozur followed with 10 tackles and a forced fumble while junior linebacker Jacob Behornar also added 10 tackles. Senior defensive end Stacey Sunnerville contributed nine tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Senior nose-guard Shakore Philip tallied six tackles while junior safety Travon Barnes posted five tackles

NEXT WEEK:
King's will play its Homecoming Game against FDU-Florham Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium.