WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 26, 2019) – It's Homecoming Weekend for the King's College football team, as the Monarchs play host to Lycoming College Saturday in the Middle Atlantic Conference opener in McCarthy Stadium. King's is coming off a 41-19 win over Hartwick College to move to 2-0 for the first time in the modern era of King's football, as Jordan Downes scored four times in the win over the Hawks. Lycoming is looking to rebound off a loss to Wilkes University in double overtime last Saturday, 24-17. The first meeting between King's and Lycoming on the football field came in second year King's College was open back in 1947, a 7-7 tie. This is the 14th meeting in Wilkes-Barre, with Lycoming holding a slight 7-6 edge. 

Event Details
Opponent: vs. Lycoming College (1-2, 0-1 MAC)
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2019
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA – McCarthy Stadium (Directions)
Tickets: Adults - $5, Seniors & Non-King's Students - $2, King's Students & Children 6 and under - Free
Live Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

Things To Know:
King's vs. Lycoming Flip Card
King's vs. Lycoming Game Notes
Pet Policy
Tailgating Policy



The Coaches: Jeff Knarr is in his 10th season with the Monarchs, as he is only the second coach of King's College football since 1991. Knarr took over for Rich Mannello, who was the head coach since football was reinstated at King's in 1993. Mike Clark is in his 12th season with the Warriors, going 65-50 over that time. 

Welcome To The Fold: The Monarch coaching staff underwent a serious overall this summer, as King's brought on six new assistants due to the departure of Nate Hinkle (Widener), Edwyn Edwards (TCNJ), Matt Wehrhahn (Millsaps) and Peter Carpenter (Hampden-Sydney). Joining this staff this year are Christopher Bantell (DBs), Jacob Dopsovic (RBs), Joe Gorton (Asst. DBs), Jonathan Pollock (LBs) and King's alumni Andrew Zub (RBs). 
 
Looking at Lycoming: The Warriors are coming off a tough double overtime loss to Wilkes University at home, 24-17 last week. Lycoming dropped its season-opener at Susquehanna, but rebounded to win a wild 43-42 non-conference tilt over Widener September 14. Lycoming has dropped its last two road contests coming in, including a MAC-Centennial Bowl Series contest last Nov. 17 at Franklin & Marshall. 

Preseason Poll: The Monarchs were picked to finish tied for sixth this season with crosstown rival Wilkes University. Reigning champ Delaware Valley University was the favorite among the coaches to repeat, while Stevenson was picked second. Lycoming, Widener and Misericordia rounded out the top five.

Nice Threads: King's will be in red pants with red uniforms and gold helmets Saturday afternoon.

Road Lions: Despite playing at home today, the Monarchs have a nice road winning streak going currently, having won their last five road games. That streak is the second-longest in the MAC, behind the six-game stretch Delaware Valley has going. 

Single Digit Tough:  The Monarchs award single digits based on merit, and recently named two more as Single Digit players. Junior Gabe Boccella was honored with the accolade and will wear #8, while lineman Joe Damiano also earned the honor. Due to NCAA regulations, linemen can not wear single digits, but Damiano will wear a single digit in practice. With those two, King's now has seven Single Digit Tough players: Sallavanti (1), Horn (2), Downes (3), McCall (4), Shelton (5), Boccella (8), Damiano (66), Swartz (67). 

A Look At The Monarchs: 

• The Monarchs are looking to get to 3-0 for the first time in the modern era this afternoon. In fact, last week's victory over Hartwick marked the first time King's had started a season 2-0 since the team reformed in 1993. 
• King's continues to turn opposing teams over on defense, as King's intercepted two passes last week while forcing four fumbles. Of those fumbles, King's picked up two of them. Overall on the season, King's is first in the MAC in turnovers gained with six, 55th nationally. 
• The Monarchs right now have a completion percentage of 70.3 percent, which ranks first in the MAC and 12th nationally. Sophomore signal caller Tyler Moore is ninth in Division III with his 71.4 rate. 
• Jordan Downes comes into the game among a ton of leaders in the NCAA, as his 225.00 all-purpose yards per game is fourth in D-III. He also ranks 10th in the country in yards per carry with 7.8, while his 156 yards a game is fourth-best in Division III. 
• Junior wideout Gabe Boccella continues to make strides as a dynamic receiver, posting 100 yards in his last game for the first time. He ranks second in the MAC in TD catches, while ranking third in yards per game with 105. 
• Junior Jaret Horn leads the conference in turnovers gained, having recovered a fumble while picking off two passes at Hartwick. 
• Freshman Justin Timonte has made seven of his nine extra-point attempts this year, while connecting on one of his two field-goal attempts. 
• The Monarch offense comes into the game second  in the MAC in scoring average behind only Widener, ranking second in scoring defense as well. 
• King's is allowing just 112 yards per game on the ground, third-lowest in the MAC, while ranking fourth in defensive efficiency. So far through two games, King's has held teams to 15 first downs per game, the fewest in the league. 
• The Monarchs lead the MAC in third down conversion rate, picking up 56 percent of their attempts on third down. Opponents are successful 32.1 percent of the time. 
• King's remains as just one of 58 teams nationally with an undefeated record. Only the two Wilkes-Barre schools (King's, Wilkes) are undefeated in the MAC.  
• King's is third in the nation and second in the conference in penalties taken this season, posting only six thus far in 2019. The 3.00 penalties per game ranks sixth in Division III. 
• The Monarchs are 4-5 on Homecoming since the 2010 season. King's is looking for its first Homecoming win since 2016, a 21-17 win over Lebanon Valley. 

King's Two-Deep Injury Report: No significant injuries on the two-deep.

A Look Ahead: King's will play its next two contests away from home, making the short trip up to Dallas, PA next weekend to take on Misericordia University in MAC action Saturday at 1 p.m.