Pioneers Open Up ECFC Era

Alfred State at Martitime

Saturday, September 30, 2017 * 1 p.m. * Reinhart Field

History between Teams: First Meeting

Players to Watch:

Tale of the Tape:

Scouting the Pioneers:

• The Pioneers wrapped up their non-conference slate two weeks ago with a tight contest at the University of Rochester. The Pioneers led 7-0 heading into the 4th quarter but the Yellowjackets put together two TD drives and kept the blue & gold off the board in the final minutes to pick up the victory. Hunter Evingham was 15 for 32 for 177 yards and a score. His touchdown pass went to Jalen Long (29 yards) who led the receivers with three catches for 75 yards. Chris Meadows led the rushing attack that had their best day in the 2017 year with 61 yards. John Lauretti had a monster day on the defensive side of the ball. He was named ECFC and HERO Sports Defensive Player of the Week after recording 13 tackles, a sack, and forcing a fumble. Michael Zimmerman intercepted a pass that led to the Pioneers score and Justin Espinal recorded seven tackles.
• The Pioneers had 15 first downs, was 6 of 17 on 3rd down, and 2 of 3 on 4th down vs. U of R - all season bests for the team.
• Long and Darrius Nichols both had their best games of the season vs. Rochester. Long had three catches for 75 yards while Nichols led the team with four receptions. 
• The defense was stingy in the first three quarters vs. Rochester. They allowed only 182 yards (3.64 yards per play) and forced the Yellowjackets into four punts, stopped a 4th down attempt, and intercepted a pass. Lauretti recorded 11 of his 13 tackles in that time.
• Austin Parker leads the team with 25 tackles (3rd in the ECFC) while Lauretti has 23 (5th). The defense needs to continue to make more plays and force turnovers (only have three sacks and three turnovers).
• Eli Frantz looks to see more action this week under center. He is 15 for 22 for 127 yards in his action in two games this season. Evingham has taken snaps in each of the three games and is 33 for 72 for 330 yards.
• The offensive and defensive line will have to be difference makers as the Maritime offense is tops in the ECFC but the defense has allowed 364 yards per game. The defense has allowed over 30 points in each of their last two games.

Scouting the Privateers:

• Maritime went 3-0 during the non-conference portion of their schedule (only the second time in school history the program has won all their non-conference games). They wrapped up their non-conference slate two weekends ago with a 38-31 victory over the Merchant Marine. In the contest, the Privateers outscored Merchant Marine 14-0 in the 4th quarter to pick up the victory. Brandonn Drumgole had a big day with 13 catches for 164 yards and two scores while quarterback Thomas Wright completed 22 passes for 323 yards and three scores. Maritime had three players register double-digit tackles in the contest, Kendal Parker (12), Liam Bailey (11), and Payton Campbell (10). Matthew Mavrovich returned a fumble 24-yards for a score in a big 24-point 2nd quarter.
• Maritime is the lone team in the ECFC with an undefeated record.
• The Privateers are the highest scoring offense in the ECFC (44.7) and are tied for second in defensive points allowed (25.3). They have scored 56 most points than any other team in the conference.
• Wright is completing 64.8% of his passes and has thrown only one interception. His favorite target is Drumgole who has caught 31 passes for 416 yards and five scores.
• The Privateers are a perfect 16 for 16 once they are in the red zone including scoring 13 touchdowns.
• Parker leads the defense with 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The defense has recorded two safeties on the season as well.
• Matthew Murphy is 6 for 7 in field goal attempts already this season and 16 for 16 in extra points. He is also averaging 45.6 yards per punt.

Around the ECFC:

Saturday is the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) opening day for most teams (Husson and Dean played earlier in the season and will play their final non-conference games this weekend). The Pioneers and Privateers are one of three conference games (Gallaudet is at Mount Ida and Castleton is at Anna Maria). The next six weeks features all eight ECFC battling. Visit http://easterncollegiatefootball.com/landing/index

Game Day Information:

• Live Stats: http://www.alfredstateathletics.com/sports/fball/2017-18/boxscores/20170930_qk84.xml
• Live Video: http://www.maritimeathletics.com/sports/2016/9/30/maritime-athletics-video-stream.aspx

Next Up:

Alfred State returns home for their ECFC home opener vs. Dean. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Maritime travels to Husson next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff with the defending ECFC champs.