Pioneers Close out Non-Conference Schedule with Trip to Nichols

Alfred State (0-3) at Nichols

1st meeting

September 22nd * Noon * Vendetti Field

Scouting Alfred State:

• Last time out: The Pioneers put together a 4th quarter rally that fell short in a 20-14 home loss to the University of Rochester. The Yellowjackets led 13-0 heading into the 4th quarter when the Pioneers put together their best drive of the game. On a 4th and goal, Dashown Wilson connected with Jalen Long on a four-yard scoring play. Rochester answered with a score of their own only to have Ronnie Clark made it 20-13 when he scored on a three-yard rush with 5:12 remaining in the game. The Pioneer defense would force Rochester to punt twice in the final 5:12 of the game but the Yellowjacket defense came up with two interceptions in the final two minutes of the game to seal the victory. Clark led the Pioneers with 82 yards and a score on 15 carries. Kiegan Brown  had 57 yards on seven rushes and caught one pass for 44 yards. Michael Zimmerman had 11 tackles (2 for a loss) and an interception (ten of his tackles came in the 1st half). Brandon Davis had nine tackles, Owen Davis had eight, and Austin Parker had seven.

• The Pioneer offense struggled last week. They only gained 235 yards on the day with only 67 of those yards coming from the passing game. 

• The combination of Ronnie Clark and Kiegan Brown had solid efforts last week. Clark averaged 5.5 yds/carry while Brown averaged 8.1. For the year, Clark has rushed for 221 total yards and three scores.

• Michael Zimmerman had an unreal 1st half for the defense last weekend. 10 of his 11 total tackles were in the 1st half. He also intercepted a pass in the 1st half. For his efforts he was named the ECFC Defensive Player of the Week.

• The Davis brothers, Brandon and Owen, were key in the linebacker core last week with nine and eight tackles. 

• The combination of John Lauretti and Steve Edwards put more pressure on the Yellowjacket quarterback. Each picked up a sack and had multiple tackles for a loss.

• The Pioneers success will hinge on getting on the board early in the game. The team has struggled scoring in the 1st half in their first three games of the season.

• Winning the turnover battle will also be key. The Pioneers were a -4 last week vs. Rochester and are a -7 on the season.

• This is the first meeting between the two schools. Nichols has played one ECFC opponent already this year and earned a 35-14 victory over Anna Maria in week two.

• This is the last non conference game of the 2018 season for the blue & gold. The team opens up ECFC play next weekend at Dean.

Scouting Nichols:

• Last time out: Jacob Duffrene rushed for a pair of touchdowns in Nichols College's 27-20 loss to Coast Guard Friday night in non-conference football action at Vendetti Field. Duffrene finished the contest with a career-high 77 yards on the ground (8.2 ypc) while sophomore Joshua Pierre-Charles scampered for a team-high 81 yards on 13 carried (6.2 ypc). As a team, the Bison collected 189 yards on the ground and finished the evening with 362 yards of total offense. Michael Pina tossed for a season-high 142 yards for Nichols while senior McCoy Scott led the defense with nine tackles.

• The Bison offense has had more success running during the early season. Joshua Pierre-Charles is averaging 70.67 yards per game while the rushing attack is averaging 185.33.

• Michael Pina has completed 45.59% of his passes on the year and is averaging 113 yard per game. Eric Mooney has caught the most passes for Nichols with eight catches for 138 yards and a pair of scores.

• Christopher Lawrence leads the team with 30 tackles while McCoy Scott has added 28. The Bison defense already has intercepted seven passes. Jared Abbruzzese has three interceptions while Princewell Iwejuo has two.

• Nichols is converting 39% of their 3rd down attemps and 33.3% on 4th down while allowing a conversion rate of 47% on 3rd and 60% on 4th down to their opponents.

Around the ECFC:

Current Standings:

Maritime: 2-1

Castleton:1-2

Husson: 1-2

Gallaudet: 0-2

Alfred State: 0-3

Anna Maria: 0-3

Dean: 0-3

Games this week:

Saturday 9/15: Alfred State at Nichols, Anna Maria at Western New England, & Dean at Becker

Game Day Information:

• Live Stats
• Live Video

Up Next: Alfred State begins ECFC play with a trip to Dean College to take on the Bulldogs. Opening kickoff is slated for Noon. Nichols hosts the University of New England next week at 1 p.m.