Alfred State vs. Erie CC - Football Preview

Alfred State at Erie CC

Saturday, September 15, 2012 1 p.m.

Jim Ball Stadium * Orchard Park, NY

Last meeting:

Alfred State defeated Erie CC 26-20, 11/12/2011 in Region III Championship Game.

Last week:

Erie was off last week, Last game was 9/1, 17-7 loss to Louisburg College

Alfred State defeated Hartwick JV 27-3

Pioneers Offense: 27 ppg, 218 yards per game (51 rush, 167 pass)

Pioneers Defense: 3 ppg, 261 yards per game (-9 rush, 270 pass)

Kats Offense: 3.5 ppg, 218 yards per game

Kats Defense: 23.5 ppg, 321.5 yards per game

Players to watch:

Alfred State

QB combo of Joey Frendo (So., 6-3, 216/Fremont, MI) & Colton Caldwell (So., 6-4, 240/Dublin, OH) combined for 167 yards passing and each rushed for a TD in the win over Hartwick.

Defensive unit featuring Alonzo Joyner (So., FS, 6-0, 171/Queens), Brandt Rice (So., S, 6-0, 180/Ft. Myers, FL), and David Howell (So., LB, 6-2, 240/Rochester) had solid games in the opener holding Hartwick to negative yards rushing.

Erie CC

Brandon Cannon (LB/Auburn, AL) had 13 tackles in the Kats last contest and is averaging 9.5 per game.

Kyril Threats (LB/Buffalo) is averaging 7 tackles per game

Derick Peters (RB/Rochester) ran for 96 yards vs. Louisburg and has 156 yards on the year

Tyler Blackburn (K/Montrose, MI) connected on a school record 52-yard field goal vs. Louisburg

Key matchup: The Pioneer defense made plays (3 interceptions and one fumble recovery) in their season opener while the Kat offense has struggled to get going. The Kats have yet to score an offensive touchdown on the season.

Special teams played a big role in Pioneers win last week as Collin Frazer (Fr., CB, Woodbridge, VA) returned a punt 89-yards for a score. Shawn Charles (So., CB, Rochester) also had a 58-yard kick-off return to set up a scoring drive. ECC's kicker Tyler Blackburn has shown the ability to hit the long distance field goal connecting on a 52-yarder already this season.

Game notes:

• Could be the last meeting between the two rivals as Alfred State plans on move to NCAA DIII next season.
• Winner will have leg up on capturing the 2012 Region III title.
• Erie leads all-time series 12-3.
• Last five meetings between the schools have been decided by six points or less.
• Game will be streamed live at: http://www.ecc.edu/athletics/streaming.aspx