Pioneers Open Season at UMass Dartmouth

Alfred State (0-0) at UMass Dartmouth

2nd meeting, Dartmouth leads 1-0, they defeated Alfred State 49-21 last year

September 7 * Noon *  Cressy Field

Scouting Alfred State:

• The Pioneers begin the 25th season of football at the college with a road trip to UMass Dartmouth. This is the 2nd meeting between the schools. Last year, the Corsairs jumped out an early lead as they defeated the Pioneers. Dashown Wilson was 16 for 32 for 299 yards and two scores while Ronnie Clark rushed for 50 yards on 17 carries in his collegiate debut. Michael Zimmerman led the defense with 10 tackles. 
• 2019 is the start of year two for head coach Scott Linn. Over 100 players started preseason camp with nearly 70% of those players being new to the program.
• The offensive line has the most experience as three starters return. Sam Van Valkenburg, Devon Clark and Zac Clendenin are all penciled in to start and are joined by four other returners on the two deep.
• Dashown Wilson threw for nine touchdowns and 1,217 yards last year in eight games of action at quarterback. The senior also accumulated 198 yards on the ground.
• All ECFC selection Ronnie Clark rushed for 711 yards and six scores last year and will look to add to that. 
• The wide receiver group is full of new faces as Wilson as the team returns only 18 receptions (out of 117) from last year.
• Defensive back Michael Zimmerman led the team in tackles (76) and interceptions last year (3) and will look to cap a solid career by leading the defense. Brockton Weist (Harpursville) and Kahmani McLeod (Bronx/St. Raymond's) also return. Weist recorded 39 tackles and two sacks and McLeod had 38 tackles and two sacks.

Scouting UMass Dartmouth:

• The Corsairs have a trio of leaders that they will count on in 2019. 2019 is the 13th season that UMass Dartmouth has been led by Mark Robichaud.
  • Tony Slaughter, a two time All-MASAC, had 54 tackles and two interceptions last year to go along with excellent special teams numbers.
  • Jacob Burkhead led the team last year with 65 tackles (49 solo). he also had four interceptions and seven pass break-ups.
  • Stephen Gacioch tied the school single season passing yardage record last season with 2,298 yards. He also accounted for 23 total touchdowns (19 passing and four rushing)
• The offense was pretty balanced for UMD last year. They attempted 334 passes (2,497 yards) and rushed 386 times (1,623 yards)
• Last year they scored on 73% of their red-zone trips and allowed 67% to their opponents.
• The Corsairs were penalized 20 more times than their opponents last year for almost 200 more yards.

Around the ECFC:

• The 2019 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference will feature six teams with each team playing five conference games.
• A new champion will be crowned in 2019 - defending champion Husson is no longer a member of the ECFC
• 2020 will feature Keystone College entering the conference as the seventh program
• For more information on the ECFC visit: http://easterncollegiatefootball.com/landing/index

Games this week:

Friday 9/6: Nichols at Dean, Anna Maria at Becker, & Alvernia at Gallaudet

Saturday 9/7: Alfred State @ UMass Dartmouth & Maine Maritime at Maritime

Game Day Information:

• Live Stats
• Live Video

Up Next: The Pioneers host Hartwick next Saturday at 5 p.m. while the Corsairs host Husson at Noon.