Pioneers Wrap up 2016 at Morrisville

Alfred State (1-8) at Morrisville (0-9)

November 12, 2016 * 1 p.m.

Drake Stadium * Morrisville, NY

Last Meeting: Morrisville Defeated Alfred State 44–12 in the 2015 season finale for both teams.

2016 Averages:

ASC Offense: 10.6 ppg and 235.0 total yards per game (94 rushing & 141 passing)

ASC Defense: 37.7 ppg and 428.8 total yards per game (241.3 rushing & 187.4 passing)

MSC Offense: 20.1 ppg and 338.8 total yards per game (151.2 rushing & 237.6 passing)

MSC Defense: 40 ppg and 428.8 total yards per game (173.9 rushing & 252.9 passing)

Players to Watch:

Last Time Out:

• The Pioneers picked up their first win of the season with a 21-7 victory at Maranatha Baptist. Josh Ashley had a big day with two touchdown catches, 115 yards, and a 58-yard kickoff return to led to a score. Mar-Keise Jones rushed for 100 yards on 24 carries while Brandon Davis led the team with 13 tackles.
• The Mustangs fell 44-20 at Brockport last weekend to wrap up Empire 8 play. Four turnovers proved costly in the contest as Morrisville outgained Brockport 427 to 323. Cory Benedetto was 19 of 36 for 174 yards in the game while Joe Franil caught nine passes for 83 yards. Kendall Clarke led the Mustangs with seven tackles while former Pioneer Sammy Diaz chipped in six.

History between Teams: 15^th meeting between teams, 3^rd straight season playing – Morrisville leads all-time series 11-3 (2-0 in NCAA DIII era). Last season Cory Benedetto passed for 185 yards and two scores while Cristian Pena rushed for 111 and three scores. Khris Greggs caught seven passes for 56 yards on the day while Steven Hubick recorded collected nine tackles.

Common Opponents: The Pioneers and Mustangs both have played Buffalo State and Brockport. Morrisville fell 40-24 at Buffalo State and 44-20 to Brockport while Alfred State fell 49-0 vs. Brockport and 27-0 vs. Buffalo State.

Scouting the Pioneers:

• The Pioneers swept USCAA weekly honors, Brandon Davis (defense), Mar-Keise Jones (offense), and Josh Ashley (special teams) following the 21-7 victory at Maranatha Baptist last weekend.
• Senior safety Steven Hubick is one tackle away from 100 for the season while Davis is only two away. The combo has over 40 tackles more than any other Pioneer.
• The Pioneers will look to continue to make big plays this week. Last week, the team got a long kickoff return, two long passes from Dashon Turner to Ashley, and the defense forced three turnovers.
• Look for Turner to air it out to his receivers. Khris Greggs leads the team with 29 catches while Ashley has a team best 332 receiving yards. Ricky Hagins, Dante Jordan, and tight ends Luke Nourse and Jordan Jones could get in the act as well.
• Dominiq Bouska and Zack Goodwin have quietly had a solid season handling the kicking duties.. Bouska is averaging 36.2 yards per punt and has five punts of 50 or more yards on the season. Goodwin has made 9 of 12 PAT attempts and has connected on two field goals.

Scouting the Mustangs:

• Senior QB Cory Benedetto will look to end his career on a high note. Benedetto has passed for 1,252 yards and four scores this season while rushing for 159 yards and six scores. Joseph Faniel led the team with 53 receptions while Marcus Jackson Connor has 624 yards. Exactly like Alfred State, Morrisville has thrown 14 interceptions and only recorded four interceptions of their own. 
• Linebacker Kendall Clark (66 tackles) and Richardson Derosema (64 tackles) led the way for Morrisville. The Mustangs have only five sacks on the season while the defense has allowed 27.
• Morrisville is converting 44% of the 3^rd downs and is allowing conversion of 44% of their opponent's opportunities.
• The Mustangs have fumble 29 times on the season but have only lost eight on the season.
• The special teams have recorded four blocked kicks this season.

Game Day Information:

• Live Stats: http://www.alfredstateathletics.com/sports/fball/2016-17/boxscores/20161112_992c.xml 
• Live Video: 

  https://boxcast.tv/view/morrisville-state-football-vs-alfred-state-college-902953

Up Next: The Pioneers will open up the 2017 season at the US Coast Guard next September.