AREA COLLEGES
AREA COLLEGES
This weekend’s games
AVERETT (VA.) (0-0) vs.
MOUNT UNION (0-0)
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Mount Union Stadium, Alliance.
Series record: Mount Union leads, 1-0.
Previous meeting: Mount Union won last year’s season opener, 64-0.
Radio-TV: WRMU-FM 91.1 (ALLIANCE), WDPN-AM 1310 (ALLIANCE), www.muc.edu/WRMU, www.muc.edu/athletics (live game cast).
Scouting report: Mount Union returns 14 starters and 40 letterwinners, including RB Nate Kmic who set a single-season record for rushing yards last year with 2,365. He enters this season ranked No. 3 on MU’s all-time career rushing list, 429 yards shy of breaking the career record of 4,012 yards set by Dan Pugh (1999-2000). Also back is QB Greg Micheli, who completed 95 of 128 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs last year. MU went 15-0 last season and won their second straight NCAA Division III championship and 15th straight OAC title. Averett returns eight starters and 31 letterwinners from last year’s team that went 7-3, including 6-1 in the Conference USA South.
GENEVA (0-0) vs. THIEL (0-0)
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Alumni Stadium, Greenville, Pa.
Series record: Geneva leads, 20-10-3.
Previous meeting: Thiel won last year’s season opener, 7-0.
Radio-TV: WPIC-AM 790 (Hermitage), WBVP-1230 (Beaver Falls), WMBA-AM 1460 (Ambridge)
Scouting report: Thiel returns 16 starters and 29 letterwinners from last year’s team, which includes DEs Robert Hughes (Rayen) and Chris Lorber, who helped the Tomcats’ defense last year rank No. 2 in the PAC. Thiel went 5-5 and 4-3 in the PAC last year. Geneva will try to bounce back from a 4-5 record. This will be the Golden Tornadoes’ first season as a member of NCAA Div. III and the PAC.
WESTMINSTER (0-0)
vs. ALLEGHENY (0-0)
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Fuhrer Field, Meadville, Pa.
Series record: Westminster leads, 26-25-5.
Previous meeting: Allegheny won last year’s season opener, 35-10.
Radio-TV: WWNW-FM 88.9 (New Wilmington), WMGW-AM 1490 (Meadville), www.titanradio.net, Westminster Cable Network (WCN).
Scouting report: Westminster returns 18 starters from last year’s team, including junior ILB Jordan Blinn who ranked No. 2 in the PAC in tackles last year with 10.8 per game. The Titans hope to turn around a 2-8 record from 2006, including 1-5 in the PAC. Allegheny returns 14 starters and 54 lettermen, including senior P Jason Black (Champion). The Gators went 6-4 last year, including 4-3 in the NCAC.
DICKINSON (0-0) vs. GROVE CITY (0-0)
When: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Thorn Field, Grove City, Pa.
Series record: Dickinson leads, 4-1-1.
Previous meeting: Dickinson won on Sept. 1, 2001, 23-14,.
Radio-TV: WSAJ-FM 91.1, www2.gccedu/sports.
Scouting report: Grove City returns six starters on each side of the ball as the Wolverines seek to continue their momentum after winning their last two games last season. Grove City seeks to rebound from a 3-7 record last year, including 2-4 in the PAC. Coming back is junior split end Stephen Mercer (Beaver Local), a converted QB who had a productive year in 2006 by catching 21 passes in six games. Dickinson is coming off a successful 2006 season by winning its ninth Centennial Conference title and making it to the NCAA Div. III playoffs for the fourth time.
WALSH (0-0)
vs. WEST LIBERTY STATE (0-0
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Russek Field in West Liberty, W.Va.
Series record: Walsh leads, 6-3.
Previous meeting: Walsh won last year’s opener, 42-16.
Radio-TV: WCER-AM 900, WHLO-AM 640, www.wcer.us.
Scouting report: Walsh returns 38 letterwinners from last year’s team that compiled a 9-3 record — winning their first nine games before hitting a three-game losing skid — and qualifying for the NAIA playoffs for the first time. They were ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation.
MALONE (0-0)
vs. TRINITY INTERNATIONAL (0-0)
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Deerfield, Ill.
Series record: Malone leads, 4-1.
Radio-TV: Malone won the season opener last year, 25-7.
Scouting report: Malone was 7-4 last year — its first winning season since 1998. The Pioneers also played in their first-ever National Christian College Athletic Association Victory Bowl. Returning for Malone is junior wideout Josh Settlemire (Howland), who caught 38 passes for 455 yards last year and was named to the All-Mid-States Football Association team as an honorable mention.