Shriners' Day and Youth Football Day
BEREA, OHIO -- The Baldwin-Wallace College Yellow Jacket footall team defeated Muskingum College, 14-7, today (October 2) in its Ohio Athletic Conference opener before 2,555 fans at The George Finnie Stadium in Berea, Ohio.
With its win, B-W stayed unbeaten and tied for first place in the OAC at 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the OAC. With their loss, the Fighting Muskies dropped to 0-4 overall and 0-3 in the OAC.
B-W opened the scoring at the 9:46 mark of the first quarter when sophomore quarterback Mike DiAngelo (Steubenville Senior) tossed a two-yard touchdown pass to junior fullback Bryan Pickens (Norwalk St. Paul). The point-after-TD jick was blocked and B-W led, 6-0. It remainded that way at halftime.
B-W moved out in front 14-0 at the 8:21 mark of the third quarter when sophomore running back Brandon Hedges (Oregon Clay) scored on a five-yard run. B-W then got the two-point conversion on a pass from DiAngelo to senior wide receiver Dave Ehrman (Strongsville).
Muskingum scored its points at the 5:57 mark of the final stanza when senior defensive end Brandon Clum returned a Yellow Jacket fumble 62 yards for a TD. The PAT kick made the score 14-7. That ended the scoring.
Hedges led B-W on the ground with a career-high 166 yards in 31 attempts. Ehrman, who caught two passes for 21 yards, established a B-W and OAC record for consecutive games with a reception at 36. DiAngelo was 13 of 27 passing for 114 yards with a TD and an interception.
B-W will be back in action next Saturday, October 9, when it hosts Otterbein College at Finnie Stadium on Homecoming. The kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Prior to that game, B-W will honor its 1984 OAC Championship team on the 20-year anniversary of its accomplishment.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON B-W FOOTBALL AND OTHER ATHLETICS, Please contact B-W SID Kevin Ruple by either telephone by calling (440) 826-2327 or by FAX machine by calling (440) 826-2329. Kevin Ruple can also be reached via e-mail at kruple@bw.edu.
B-W head football coach John Snell can be reached by calling (440) 826-2069 or athletics secretary Jackie Ryan at (440) 826-2184. The Athletic Department FAX machine can be reached at (440) 826-2192. John Snell can also be reached via e-mail at jsnell@bw.edu.
Game Notes vs. Muskingum
The BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE YELLOW JACKET football team will play host to Ohio Athletic Conference rival Muskingum College on Saturday, October 2, 2004 at The George Finnie Stadium in Berea, Ohio at 1:30 p.m on Shriner's Day.
RADIO -- B-W campus radio station WBWC, 88.3 FM, will carry the game live from from The George Finnie Stadium with the pre-game show starting at 1:00 p.m. Sports Director Dave Kich will call the play-by-play. WBWC broadcasts all home and away Yellow Jacket games. The live broadcast can also be heard live via the internet at www.bw.edu/athletics.
In addition, all Yellow Jacket games, home and away, will be carried by Salem Communications via Cleveland based radio stations WHK (1420 AM), or WCCD (1000 AM). This game will be carried by WHK in Cleveland and WHKW (1440 AM) in the Warren and Youngstown area, with the pregame show starting at 1:15 p.m. Veteran Cleveland sportscasters Adam Mendoza and Carmen Angelo call the games.
BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE
LOCATION : Berea, Ohio
NICKNAME: Yellow Jackets
2004 RECORD: 3-0
OAC RECORD: 2-0
LAST GAME: Beat Wilmington, 31-7, in Wilmington on 9/25
HEAD COACH: John Snell
ALMA MATER/ YEAR: Baldwin-Wallace / 1989
YEAR AT B-W: Third
B-W RECORD: 21-4
CAREER RECORD: same
CAREER RECORD: same
SERIES BEGAN: 1917
SERIES RECORD B-W leads, 32-12-2
LAST MEETING: 2003, B-W won, 35-17, in Muskingum on 10/24/2003
SERIES STREAK: B-W, eight straight
NEXT WEEK: 10/9: HOST OTTERBEIN; 2:00 P.M.
MUSKINGUM COLLEGE
LOCATION: New Concord, Ohio
NICKNAME: Fighting Muskies
2004 RECORD: 0-3
OAC RECORD: 0-2
LAST GAME: Lost at Ohio Northern, 31-11, in Ada on 9/25
HEAD COACH: Jeff Heacock
ALMA MATER/YEAR: Muskingum/ 1976
YEAR AT MC: 24th
MC RECORD: 104-122-4
CAREER RECORD: same
SERIES BEGAN: 1917
SERIES RECORD B-W leads, 32-12-2
LAST MEETING: 2003, B-W won, 35-17, in Muskingum on 10/24/2003
SERIES STREAK: B-W, eight straight
NEXT WEEK: 10/9: HOST OTTERBEIN; 2:00 P.M.
The Game -- The Baldwin-Wallace College football team will look to stretch its winning streak to four and improve to 4-0 overall when it hosts Ohio Athletic Conference rival Muskingum College at The George Finnie Stadium on Shriners' Day and Youth Football Day in Berea.
B-W has opened the season with consecutive wins against nonleague foe Allegheny (Pa.) College, 27-14, and OAC rivals Ohio Northern University, 31-3, and Wilmington College, 31-7. The Yellow Jackets are looking to have a 38th straight winning season. Muskingum, under the direction of Head Coach Jeff Heacock, now in his 24th season under the helm, has opened the 2004 campaign with losses to The College of Wooster, 27-6, and OAC foes Wilmington, 17-5, and Ohio Northern, 31-11.
The Baldwin-Wallace College versus Muskingum College Series -- The Yellow Jackets of Baldwin-Wallace College and the Fighting Muskies of Muskingum College have previously met 46 times dating back to the first meeting in 1917. The Yellow Jackets lead the series,32-12-2, and have won eight straight games, including a 35-17 win a year ago in New Concord. Muskingum's last win came in 1995 when it beat B-W, 17-0, in Berea.
Last Year: B-W --35, Muskingum --17 in Muskingum, Ohio on October 24, 2003 --A year ago, the Yellow Jackets defeated the Fighting Muskies, 35-17, in New Concord at The McConagha Stadium. The game was tied 7-7 after the first stanza. B-W then led 21-10 at halftime and 28-10 after the third period. Offensively, B-W was led by graduated All-OAC quarterback Dan Larlham who ran for 108 yards and one TD and also threw for 259 yards by completing 15 of 25 passes, including two for TD. Current senior and All-American tight end Nate Wilder (Youngstown/ Cardinal Mooney) led B-W with four catches for 60 yards and one TD. On defense, B-W was led by current junior middle linebacker Joe George (Massillon/ Perry) with 12 tackles and an interception. Muskingum was led by current senior quarterback Matt Shaul who threw for 104 yards on 11 of 16 passes, including two TD. Current senior running back Trevor Cooper rushed for 116 yards on 19 carries. Devensively, the Fighting Muskies were led by current senior defensive back Mark Waller who recorded nine tackles and recovered a fumble.
Scouting the Baldwin-Wallace College Yellow Jackets - B-W returns 30 letterman and 10 starters in 2004. On defense, junior linebackers Justin Princehorn (Massillon/ Washington) and Joe George are the leaders. George currently leads the team with 16 tackles and Princehorn is second with 14 stops. On the line, senior All-OAC end Ryan Lewis (Holland/ Springfield) and three-year varsity contributor Rick Schontz (Butler, Pa.) are the top players. Lewis leads the team with three QB sacks. In the secondary, look for senior Academic All-OACcornerback Justin Andes (Canal Fulton/ Canton Central Catholic) to lead the way.
The receiving corps is the strength of the offense. Led by senior four-year starter Dave Ehrman (Strongsville) and Nate Wilder, Ehrman, senior Gary Kopchak (Brook Park/ Midpark), junior David Peterson (Cuyahoga Falls/ Walsh Jesuit) and sophomores Tom Murphy (Richfield Revere) and Scott Kovelan (North Olmsted) have combined to catch 26 passes in three games. Wilder tops the team with three TD grabs. At quarterback, sophomore Mike DiAngelo (Steubenville) has completed 48 of 80 passes for 60 percent with 556 yards and four TD. On the ground, sophomore running back Brandon Hedges (Oregon/ Clay) is the leader with 377 yards in 57 attempts (6.6 yards per carry average) with four TD. Hedges also tops all receivers with eight catches. On the offensive line, the leaders are senior All-OAC and Academic All-OAC pick Tom Kovacevich (Strongsville) and senior tackle Josh Jameyson (Wellington).
On special teams, freshman punter Kevin Soflkiancs (Middleburg Heights/ Midpark) leads the OACwith a 42.3-yard average. Senior placekicker Aaron Redd (Swanton) has made 11-of-12 PAT's and two of three field goals to rank third in scoring with 17 points.
Scouting the Muskingum College Fighting Muskies -- Muskingum returns 36 lettermen and 16 starters from its team of a year ago that posted their best record since 1998. The offense is led by two-time All-OAC senior running back Trevor Cooper who is ranked sixth all-time in rushing at Muskingum. The Fighting Muskies also return an outstanding quarterback duo consisting of senior Matt Shaul and junior Josh Lowery and some very experienced receivers in seniors Antwan Curry, Andy Weiss, and Josh Fritz. Additionaly, senior Ty Jenkins returns at tight end. Four members of the offensive line return with seniors Adam Soffian, Steve Dawson, and Hugh Frost, and junior Matt Harmon.
The defense is led by a very experienced linebacker core in seniors Todd Flitz and Dave Griswold, and junior Matt Meggyesy. In addition, the defensive line will be anchored by seniors Brandon Clum and Steve Graves, and seniors Mark Waller, Danny Johnson, and Mike Fowler will play key roles in the backfield. Waller was an All-District IV selection a year ago.
B-W's LAST GAME: On Sept. 25, Baldwin-Wallace -- 31, Wilmington -- 7-- in Wilmington-- The Yellow Jackets remained undefeated as they improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in OAC play. B-W had a big first quarter as they scored three touchdowns in a span of 42 seconds on a 39-yard touchdown pass from QB Mike DiAngelo to wide receiver Dave Ehrman at the 7:14mark, a 26-yard TD on an option pass from WR Tom Murphy to sophomore WR Scott Kovelan (North Olmsted) at the 6:51 mark and on a 40-yard interception return for TD by sophomore safety Jake Knipp (Amherst Steele) at 6:32. The Yellow Jackets other two scores came in the second quarter when Nate Wilder caught a four-yard TD pass from DiAngelo and Aaron Redd kicked a 25-yard field goal. Offensiveley, the Yellow Jackets gained 380 yards of total offense. DiAngelo completed 17 of 30 passes for 263 yards, including passes to 10 different receivers. Brandon Hedges led the running game with 63 yards in 15 attempts. Defensively, B-W held Wilmington to nine first downs, 59 rushing yards and 180 yards of total offense while it sacked the Quaker QB five times and forced three turnovers. Joe George recorded a team-high seven tackles including one for loss, intercepted one pass and added a sack. In addition, Ryan Lewis recorded two sacks for minus 10 yards.
MUSKINGUM'S LAST GAME: On Sept. 25, Muskingum--11, Ohio Northern -- 31-- in Ada-- The Fighting Muskies fell to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the OAC as they were defeated by the Polar Bears at Dial-Roberson Stadium, in Ada. On offense, Muskingum only achieved 10 first downs and had 170 total yards of offense. The best offensive effort was turned in by sophomore tailback, Steve Howard who gained 78 yards on nine carries, with the majority of his yards coming on a 66 yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Defensively, the Muskies allowed Ohio Northern to gain 301 total yards (149 rushing and 152 passing), but forced two turnovers. In addition, junior Jason Sanders forced an Ohio Northern safety in the fourth quarter. The Muskingum defense was led senior linebacker Todd Flitz who recorded 15 tackles (three solo and 12 assists) including two for loss, recovered a fumble and had one pass breakup.
The Yellow Jacket Notebook
The Seasonal Winning Streak -- With its 3-0 start, Baldwin-Wallace College is off to an outstanding start to extending its seasonal winning streak. B-W has a seasonal winning streak of 37 years. The streak is second longest in all of college football as well as NCAA Division III. B-W has not had a losing season since 1966. Linfield (Oregon) College has the nation's longest streak.
Ehrman Ties Record Streak -- Senior two-time Academic All-OAC wide receiver Dave Ehrman (Strongsville) has caught a pass in every game of his collegiate career -- 35 games. With his 39-yard TD catch last Saturday at Wilmington, Ehrman tied former All-American Lance Yandell for the school-record for consecutive games with a catch. Ehrman can set a school-record with a catch versus Muskingum. For his career, Ehrman has caught 90 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 TD. Ehrman also carries a 3.7 grade point average in business administration.
Soflkiancs Was OAC Special Teams Player of the Week -- Last week, Yellow Jacket freshman Kevin Soflkiancs (Middleburg Heights/ Midpark) was the OAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in B-W's Sept. 18 win against Ohio Northern, 31-3, in Berea. In that game, Soflkiancs averaged 45.3 yards for seven punts with a career-long punt of 66 yards.
Wilder Has Three Straight -- Senior All-American tight end Nate Wilder (Youngstown/ Cardinal Mooney) has a TD catch in each of B-W's first three games and now has 10 for his career.
Snell Improves to 21-4 -- In his first 25 games as the head coach of the Yellow Jacket football program, John Snell has 21 wins, a 21-4 record with an .840 winning percentage, led the team to its first NCAA Division III Playoff appearance since 1991 and to its first playoff win since 1978.
Saturday is Youth Football Day and Shriners' Day -- This Saturday is both Youth Football Day and Shriners' Day.
B-W will welcome youngsters from the Greater Cleveland area for a clinic by the B-W Junior Varsity players and some Lifeskills speakers in the morning and to parade around the track, form a tunnel for B-W to run out onto the field prior to playing Muskingum and obtain autographs after the game. For more information, please call SID Kevin Ruple.
B-W will also welcome the Al Koran Temple for the 24th Annual Lee Tressel Shrine Classic Game. The Shriners' will both make a donation to the College and try to raise money for its philanthrophy -- children with severe burns.
Regular Season Finale Will Be Televised -- B-W's regular season finale at John Carroll University on Saturday, November 13 in University heights (a 1:30 p.m. kickoff) will be televised throughout Northeast Ohio and into both Central Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The game will be produced by Classic Teleproductions of Twinsburg, Ohio and aired on PBS channels 45 and 49 with the potential of reaching 2.4 million homes.
The Yellow Jackets Are Going to Spain in May -- Members of this year's Yellow Jacket football team will travel to Spain next May (2005) to travel to country for 10 days, including playing a game against a club team. More details on the trip will follow during this season.
For More On Current B-W Football -- The latest statistics and information about B-W football can be found on the B-W Sports Website at http://www.bw.edu/athletics. Offensive statistics will be posted on the website following all games and defensive statistics will be posted every Monday by 5:00 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON B-W FOOTBALL AND OTHER ATHLETICS, Please contact B-W SID Kevin Ruple by either telephone by calling (440) 826-2327 or 2325 or by facsimile machine by calling (440) 826-2329. Kevin Ruple can also be reached via e-mail at kruple@bw.edu.
B-W head football coach John Snell can be reached by calling (440) 826-2069 or by FAX machine at (440) 826-2192.
275 Eastland Rd.