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Albright College at Alfred University Game Notes
Nov 19, 2009
Press Release posted by Albright
Albright College (9-1) vs. Alfred University (8-1)

When - Saturday, November 21, 2009

Where - Merrill Field, Alfred, NY

Kickoff - Noon

Gates Open - 11 a.m.

Ticket Prices:
$8 Adults
$4 College Students with ID
$4 Children

Game Day Coverage

Video: http://www.pennatlantic.com (There will not be an audio broadcast for this Saturday's game)

Pre and Post Game Coverage

For all the latest scores, updates, and highlights visit the new Albright Athletics website at http://www.albrightathletics.com or call the Albright Sports Hotline at 610-929-6668. For interviews with coaches or players please contact Dave Walberg, Sports Information Director at 610-921-7786 or dwalberg@alb.edu.

Tale of the Tape

In their first meeting since 1955, the Lions (9-1) will make their second trip to the state of New York this Saturday to take on the Saxons of Alfred University in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Division III National Tournament. Coming off a huge 44-43 double overtime win over Lebanon Valley, Albright will look to earn their second NCAA tournament win in program history, and will be making only their fourth trip to the NCAA’s in the 102 year history of the program. This Saturday’s postseason game will be the first since the early 80’s for the host Saxons who were co-champs of the Empire 8.

Welcome to the Show

With the regular season ended, the Lions will now look to earn their second NCAA tournament game win in program history. The last time, Albright competed in the NCAA tournament was in 1996 when they finished the year with a 10-2 record and earned the programs first postseason win over Washington and Jefferson to advance to the second round, where they were defeated by Lycoming, 31-13.

Albright and the MAC

A total of four teams from the Middle Atlantic Conference will be competing this Saturday afternoon. Albright who is the only team from the MAC on the road will travel to upstate New York. Delaware Valley will host Susquehanna University at James Work Memorial Stadium on Saturday at noon. Lebanon Valley will play host to Susquehanna University in their first postseason appearance since the 1950’s. The Dutchmen will take on Salisbury University in the ECAC Southwest Bowl. Wilkes will travel to Franklin and Marshall to face the Diplomats in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.

2009 MAC All-Conference Selections (10)

Offensive Player of the Year - Tanner Kelly

First Team Offense - Kelly, Nate Romig, John Whelan
First Team Defense - Brett Gaul, Bob Harper
Second Team Offense - Matt Odenwalt, Adam Burkart
Second Team Defense - Jack Sayer, Alvin Thomas, Dave Harig

Let's Keep it Going

Now 9-1 for the first time since 1997, and with their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1996, the Lions have had quite the year. After closing out their regular season with a 6-1 record in the conference, the Lions will look to continue their winning ways this Saturday against the Saxons.

It Has Definitely Been A While

The last time, Albright and Alfred was in 1955. In that meeting the Saxons defeated the red and white 13-6. Prior to that contest, the two squads had met only two other times in their very long histories. In 1954 Alfred earned a 12-0 win over Albright, and in their first ever meeting in 1929 the red and white defeated Alfred by the final score of 73-0, which is the largest shutout win in program history.

1955 - L 13-6
1954 - L 12-0
1929 - W 73-0

Kelly Keeps it Going

Looking to guide the Lions to their first NCAA victory in over a decade Tanner Kelly will have his hands full this Saturday. With a conference leading 2,361 yards and a passing efficiency of 167.97 (7th in DIII) Kelly has had his best season ever in the red and white. Averaging over 236 yards in the air every game, Kelly has thrown for a 18 touchdowns, while on the ground he has rushed for an additional six scores on 116 carries (377 yards). One of Kelly’s biggest highlights from the regular season was his 436 total passing yards and four TD’s against Wilkes in week 5. Prior to that Kelly connected with Scott Pillar for a 93 yard touchdown play, which is the second longest in program history.

Just One Away

Senior wide receiver Nate Romig now stands one touchdown reception away from tying the all-time record at Albright of 36, which was set by Eric Nemec ‘98. If Romig was to achieve the record setting performance it would mark the second time this season that Romig has broken a record of Nemec’s. Earlier in the year, Romig broke Nemec’s all-time point’s record by a non-kicker and now stands at 250 career points at Albright. Going into Saturday’s match-up, Romig has totaled 41 touchdowns (4 rush, 35 receiving, 2 returns) and two 2-points after attempts. He now has 662 rushing yards, 2,958 receiving yards, 11 punt return yards, and 101 kick return yards in 42 games played.

Super Subers

With a career best 362 passing yards and 5 TD receptions, Patrick Subers played the game of his life last Saturday in the 44-43 double OT win over Lebanon Valley College. After taking over three plays into the game, Subers led the Lions up and down the field through the second half and into OT to help earn the red and white a spot in this year’s NCAA Tournament. For his efforts Subers was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week and became the first player this season to be named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week

Just Call Him the Leg

Junior kicker John Whelan has continued to climb the all-time record boards at Albright. Ranked in the top-5 all-time in numerous categories, the New Jersey native now has 151 career points, has made 23 of his 36 field goal attempts (63.6%), and has made 82 point after attempts.

What the Future Holds

With the Lions now in the hunt for a national championship, fans have been shown what the future holds for the Albright Football program. At wide receiver, the Lions have seen great things from sophomores Sean Caldwell Jr., and Scott Pillar. Combined the two have totaled 898 receiving yards and nine touchdowns respectively. Sophomore tailback Josan Holmes has shown that he is a man of many parts this season, not only serving as one of the Lions top rushers (425 yards/8 TD’s), but has also proven to be solid receiver (269 yards/1 TD) and special teams man on both punt (117 yards) and kick returns (110 yards).

They Will Never Stop, Ever

Albright’s offense continues to lead the Middle Atlantic Conference and is ranked 35th in DIII in scoring with 345 points (34.5 ppg) while their 4,176 yards (417.6 ypg) of total offense is 39th in the nation On 680 plays in 10 games the Lions have totaled 1,297 rushing yards and 2,879 passing yards (24th in DIII). The Lions team passing efficiency of 164.38 is ransk the Lions eighth in the DIII and first in the Middle Atlantic Conference. Albright’s time of possession this season is about five minutes longer than their opponents (32:03-27:54), and with that have outscored their opposition 345-207.

Clawing for that Inch

Going into Saturday’s match-up the Lions have truly battled for every single inch this season. Ranked second in the MAC in first downs with 213 (21.3 fdpg) and third-down conversions with 141 (44.7%), Albright has also become a team that will go for it when they have to, with a conference best 15 successful fourth down conversions.

You Can't Stop Him

Needing just two sacks to break the single season record at Albright, sophomore Alvin Thomas has led the team, the conference, and is ranked 12th in the nation since the start of the season. Now with 10 sacks on the year, Thomas will look to break the record of 11.5 sacks set by Chris Rickards in 1995. His 11.5 tackles for a loss also leads the Lions defense and ranks him tenth in the MAC. Both numbers are career best for the defensive end, who last season posted just 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Thomas also ranks third in the Middle Atlantic in forced fumbles with two.

Gaul's Gonna Get You...

As one of the team’s top cornerbacks, Brett Gaul leads the Lions with four interceptions, five blocked kicks, and has broken up six passes. In the tackles column Gaul ranks sixth on the team with 37.5 stops to date. His interceptions rank him tied for second in the MAC.

Harig's Record Setting Performance

In the overtime win over the Dutchmen, Dave Harig set a new program record for most solo tackles in a game with 17. On the afternoon the senior recorded a career best 19 stops in the huge double OT win.

Defensively Sound

This season the Albright defense has showcased it’s versatility with numerous players recording 20 or more tackles. To date Harig leads the team with 53.5 tackles. Right behind him is Brendan Bresnahan with 53 and Andrew Kibler with 46.5. Bob Harper has totaled 46 stops this season and ranks second on the team in tackles for a loss and sacks with 10.5 and 3.5. Josh Hare closes out the top-5 tacklers on the Lions defense with his 38.5 stops.

This Is Our House

This season the Albright defense has showcased it’s versatility with numerous players recording 20 or more tackles. To date Harig leads the team with 53.5 tackles. Right behind him is Brendan Bresnahan with 53 and Andrew Kibler with 46.5. Bob Harper has totaled 46 stops this season and ranks second on the team in tackles for a loss and sacks with 10.5 and 3.5. Josh Hare closes out the top-5 tacklers on the Lions defense with his 38.5 stops.

Next Up for the Lions

A victory this Saturday will set-up two scenarios. If Delaware Valley defeats Susquehanna then the Lions will head back to Doylestown. However is Susquehanna was to upset the Aggies, then the Lions will host the second round of the NCAA tournament in Shirk Stadium.