Millersville took to the road in week two against a PSAC Western Division favorite in Mercyhurst, and they saw just how difficult the conference truly is on Saturday. They lost 49-7.
The first lesson that comes to mind in this game is that turnovers kill. Three interceptions and four fumbles were absolutely costly. The lost fumble and a pick six later in the contest both turned into scores for the Lakers, who rolled to a 21-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game.
The Lakers' defense saw a multitude of different looks offensively, including some audibles along the way. RB Ian Sadon and WR Brent Collins broke to another level in Saturday's tilt.
Collins had a career high 11 catches for 123 yards. Most of those yards, believe it or not, were on screens. The junior wideout regularly picked up first downs on these plays.
In Sadon's case, he will be a headache for opposing defenses all throughout this season. Sadon rushed for 108 yards, caught a critical 21 yard pass on third down for a first down, and scored the only Marauder TD of the day by vaulting over the pile on a goal line stand.
Both Connor Casey (13/18...3 INT) and Curtis Frye (6/9) saw time at the quarterback position on Saturday. Casey was victimized by FS Colin Kimball, who picked off two passes—one of them for a score. Frye showed some promise in the passing game by unleashing a 38-yard dart to Brent Collins, and passing for 95 yards total.
Defensively speaking, it was the run that did the Marauders in again. Redshirt Senior QB Anthony Vendemia only slung the ball 13 times, completing 12 of those passes.
Otherwise it was reigning PSAC West Freshman of the Year Brandon Brown-Dukes who set the tone early and often with a 66-yard scamper for a score on the first play, and three scores overall in the game. Allen Jones II also had a solid day with 38 yards on six carries with a TD of his own.
Here's where it gets interesting. If you look at this game in a vacuum, score notwithstanding, there are still improvements happening on a weekly basis. First downs were about even, Millersville outgained Mercyhurst through the air, and were only outgained by about 120 yards total. Take a look at last year's box score against Mercyhurst. None of those categories were remotely close.
The issue came between midfield and the 30 yard line once the Marauders crossed into Laker territory. It was what could be considered a "dead spot" where the offense stalled. That will be a point of focus to be certain.
Up next for the Ville is #23 West Chester under the lights. Be sure to come out and experience Millersville football with the lights on at Chryst Field. Nighttime football could be considered just as fun as football when snow has covered the field. Catch the pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. and all the live action here: www.millersvilleathletics.com/msbn
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
From the Booth: Week One Edition
(Note: Every week, Jordan Kuhns will take you inside the game with the scoop from the booth. This edition will highlight the 47-16 loss to LIU Post.)
Millersville fell in week one to the LIU Post Pioneers. The margin of defeat may have looked large on the scoreboard, but consider the following:
1. The score was 20-9 at the half. Millersville was to receive the ball in the second half, and had a chance to score with over 30 seconds to go in the first half. With a little more success on just one of those drives, the score could have read 20-16.
2. Barring the two key turnovers, this game could have been remarkably closer. If those offensive drives were successful with the ball, that could have swayed the game. It could have at least made it a two score game. Manageable.
3. Millersville went 7 for 17 (41%) on third down. Last year, the Marauders only held a 34% conversion rate. However, LIU Post went 8 of 12 (75%) on Saturday. They must be better in that regard defensively in the future.
As the mysterious Marauder Football Insider tweeted, there is no reason to panic after week one. It's tough to stop a dual-threat QB (Stephen Laurino was a 2009 PSAC East Freshman of the Year). Especially one so fast, or so accurate. Laurino scored on a 48 yard run by his lonesome on Saturday, and threw for 249 yards.
Additionally, Millersville saw a lot of production out of redshirt freshman wide receiver Dante Barkley (8 rec/86 yds), redshirt junior Kevin Porter (4 rec/48 yds/TD) and junior Brent Collins (7 rec/62 yds/TD). Those players possessed key roles because of the limited participation from redshirt senior captain Dominic Sanders (ankle) in the receiving game. That was no easy hole to fix.
QB Connor Casey (24/44...232 yds) got the chance to be the surefire starter. He took some unbelievably late hits, including two consecutive roughing the passer penalties that contributed to Post's 12 flags for 111 yards. Otherwise, he looked good. Bloomsburg's former coach Danny Hale said of Casey "It looks like they found their QB," adding that Hale had been recruiting Casey as well.
Not a bad accolade coming from one of the winningest coaches in Division II history.
Body language says a lot about commitment, and in my honest opinion, this team has bought in at all positions. You can tell these players wanted to win. Rasheed Johnson set the tone with a gigantic hit on the first play from the line of scrimmage. It will be a process to institute a new system and a new way to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning, and a fun one to take part of, win or lose.
Next up for the Marauders is the Mercyhurst Lakers next Saturday up in Erie. Mercyhurst fell 17-16 to Bentley, dropping its second consecutive season opener. The Lakers came to Millersville last season, dispatching the Marauders 45-7 in a thunderstorm-delayed game in week two.
The Lakers are led by Sr. QB Anthony Vandemia, who is now fourth in career yards with 3,665. He threw for 207 yards and a touchdown during week one.
It won't be easy. Mercyhurst was picked to finish second in the PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll, with one first place vote. IUP received the other seven votes at the top.
We will see you next Saturday from Erie, Pa. at 12:30 on the Marauder Pride Pregame Show presented by Homewood Suites by Hilton Lancaster. You can listen here: www.millersvilleathletics.com/msbn
Millersville fell in week one to the LIU Post Pioneers. The margin of defeat may have looked large on the scoreboard, but consider the following:
1. The score was 20-9 at the half. Millersville was to receive the ball in the second half, and had a chance to score with over 30 seconds to go in the first half. With a little more success on just one of those drives, the score could have read 20-16.
2. Barring the two key turnovers, this game could have been remarkably closer. If those offensive drives were successful with the ball, that could have swayed the game. It could have at least made it a two score game. Manageable.
3. Millersville went 7 for 17 (41%) on third down. Last year, the Marauders only held a 34% conversion rate. However, LIU Post went 8 of 12 (75%) on Saturday. They must be better in that regard defensively in the future.
As the mysterious Marauder Football Insider tweeted, there is no reason to panic after week one. It's tough to stop a dual-threat QB (Stephen Laurino was a 2009 PSAC East Freshman of the Year). Especially one so fast, or so accurate. Laurino scored on a 48 yard run by his lonesome on Saturday, and threw for 249 yards.
Additionally, Millersville saw a lot of production out of redshirt freshman wide receiver Dante Barkley (8 rec/86 yds), redshirt junior Kevin Porter (4 rec/48 yds/TD) and junior Brent Collins (7 rec/62 yds/TD). Those players possessed key roles because of the limited participation from redshirt senior captain Dominic Sanders (ankle) in the receiving game. That was no easy hole to fix.
QB Connor Casey (24/44...232 yds) got the chance to be the surefire starter. He took some unbelievably late hits, including two consecutive roughing the passer penalties that contributed to Post's 12 flags for 111 yards. Otherwise, he looked good. Bloomsburg's former coach Danny Hale said of Casey "It looks like they found their QB," adding that Hale had been recruiting Casey as well.
Not a bad accolade coming from one of the winningest coaches in Division II history.
Body language says a lot about commitment, and in my honest opinion, this team has bought in at all positions. You can tell these players wanted to win. Rasheed Johnson set the tone with a gigantic hit on the first play from the line of scrimmage. It will be a process to institute a new system and a new way to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning, and a fun one to take part of, win or lose.
Next up for the Marauders is the Mercyhurst Lakers next Saturday up in Erie. Mercyhurst fell 17-16 to Bentley, dropping its second consecutive season opener. The Lakers came to Millersville last season, dispatching the Marauders 45-7 in a thunderstorm-delayed game in week two.
The Lakers are led by Sr. QB Anthony Vandemia, who is now fourth in career yards with 3,665. He threw for 207 yards and a touchdown during week one.
It won't be easy. Mercyhurst was picked to finish second in the PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll, with one first place vote. IUP received the other seven votes at the top.
We will see you next Saturday from Erie, Pa. at 12:30 on the Marauder Pride Pregame Show presented by Homewood Suites by Hilton Lancaster. You can listen here: www.millersvilleathletics.com/msbn
Saturday, May 11, 2013
PSAC Tournament Recap
Jordan Kuhns -- MSBN Broadcaster
Congratulations to the East Stroudsburg Warriors on winning the PSAC Tournament today, defeating West Chester 7-1. If West Chester had won that game today, they would have been the first fourth seed in PSAC history to win the championship. ESU had been on a roll coming into this tournament, and they pretty much steamrolled everyone.
Millersville has one week or so to prepare for the Atlantic Regional Tournament, which is at a location to be determined, but I have heard it could either be in Pittsburgh or North Carolina. Either place will be an adventure nonetheless.
It just goes to show you that anyone can win any game on any given night, no matter who is on the mound, and with whatever circumstances there happen to be. The Marauders played 36 innings of baseball in 36 hours, including a four hour marathon against West Chester, which eliminated the Marauders yesterday night.
It's no doubt that the atrocious weather conditions throughout the tournament affected everyone's play. It most certainly wasn't always fun to broadcast in this weather, so I bet it wasn't any fun to play in it at a high level. Little League is a different story (and the only one I know personally!) They still battled through it, and head coach Jon Shehan said he is proud of his club for the fight put forth.
It will be interesting to see how the final standings shake out. We will find them out during the selection show on Sunday. ESU was in 7th coming into the final standings, but due to their PSAC Tournament victory, they are automatically in the tournament--and they are dangerous.
By the way, in a related story from the tournament, check out this article written by Eric Knopsnyder of the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown. Millersville players Tyler McDonald, Evan King, Tyler Thomas, David Pine, Tyler Orris, Zach Stone and Dan Stoltzfus all helped resuscitate a young child who was having a seizure.
It's safe to say we're all proud of our athletes here at Millersville, but even more-so now that some of them helped save a life, answering the call under tremendous pressure.
We will continue to keep you updated before, during, and after the Atlantic Regional tournament. Until next time.
Congratulations to the East Stroudsburg Warriors on winning the PSAC Tournament today, defeating West Chester 7-1. If West Chester had won that game today, they would have been the first fourth seed in PSAC history to win the championship. ESU had been on a roll coming into this tournament, and they pretty much steamrolled everyone.
Millersville has one week or so to prepare for the Atlantic Regional Tournament, which is at a location to be determined, but I have heard it could either be in Pittsburgh or North Carolina. Either place will be an adventure nonetheless.
It just goes to show you that anyone can win any game on any given night, no matter who is on the mound, and with whatever circumstances there happen to be. The Marauders played 36 innings of baseball in 36 hours, including a four hour marathon against West Chester, which eliminated the Marauders yesterday night.
It's no doubt that the atrocious weather conditions throughout the tournament affected everyone's play. It most certainly wasn't always fun to broadcast in this weather, so I bet it wasn't any fun to play in it at a high level. Little League is a different story (and the only one I know personally!) They still battled through it, and head coach Jon Shehan said he is proud of his club for the fight put forth.
It will be interesting to see how the final standings shake out. We will find them out during the selection show on Sunday. ESU was in 7th coming into the final standings, but due to their PSAC Tournament victory, they are automatically in the tournament--and they are dangerous.
By the way, in a related story from the tournament, check out this article written by Eric Knopsnyder of the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown. Millersville players Tyler McDonald, Evan King, Tyler Thomas, David Pine, Tyler Orris, Zach Stone and Dan Stoltzfus all helped resuscitate a young child who was having a seizure.
It's safe to say we're all proud of our athletes here at Millersville, but even more-so now that some of them helped save a life, answering the call under tremendous pressure.
We will continue to keep you updated before, during, and after the Atlantic Regional tournament. Until next time.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Millersville/Gannon Update
Jordan Kuhns — MSBN Broadcaster
UPDATE...8:56 a.m.
Good morning, fans.
Checked the forecast for today. It looks terrible. A cold front is coming through the area and will produce strong to perhaps severe thunderstorms later this afternoon into this evening. They usually don't last too terribly long, but they will cause an almost certain delay later on. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has the Johnstown area under a slight risk of severe storms.
The PSAC bumped the start of today's games by a half hour to try and combat this impending mess. Cal and Kutztown are in the top of the second inning of their elimination game with Cal leading 3-2. As it stands, the weather won't affect this game, nor will it affect Millersville/Gannon, but if Millersville happens to win that contest, they will have to play later. It will most certainly affect that one.
If a storm happens, I have to get off air immediately and get to a safe area. I will try to keep you updated on my Twitter feed which is here. It has been years since the last time I saw a weather pattern so unsettled. But we must press on.
Marauders On Deck will happen as soon as I can set up once the Kutztown radio crew leaves the box. Again, my Twitter feed is the best way to find out when that will be. You can tune in to the live audio here.
Will update further if anything changes.
UPDATE...11:06 a.m.
Tarp is on the field here at Point Stadium. Cal leads Kutztown 9-5 in the bottom of the 8th inning. The rain has been coming down for a good half hour, and it shows no signs of stopping.
Marauders On Deck will have to be pushed back quite a bit as it stands currently.
UPDATE...8:56 a.m.
Good morning, fans.
Checked the forecast for today. It looks terrible. A cold front is coming through the area and will produce strong to perhaps severe thunderstorms later this afternoon into this evening. They usually don't last too terribly long, but they will cause an almost certain delay later on. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has the Johnstown area under a slight risk of severe storms.
The PSAC bumped the start of today's games by a half hour to try and combat this impending mess. Cal and Kutztown are in the top of the second inning of their elimination game with Cal leading 3-2. As it stands, the weather won't affect this game, nor will it affect Millersville/Gannon, but if Millersville happens to win that contest, they will have to play later. It will most certainly affect that one.
If a storm happens, I have to get off air immediately and get to a safe area. I will try to keep you updated on my Twitter feed which is here. It has been years since the last time I saw a weather pattern so unsettled. But we must press on.
Marauders On Deck will happen as soon as I can set up once the Kutztown radio crew leaves the box. Again, my Twitter feed is the best way to find out when that will be. You can tune in to the live audio here.
Will update further if anything changes.
UPDATE...11:06 a.m.
Tarp is on the field here at Point Stadium. Cal leads Kutztown 9-5 in the bottom of the 8th inning. The rain has been coming down for a good half hour, and it shows no signs of stopping.
Marauders On Deck will have to be pushed back quite a bit as it stands currently.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Millersville/East Stroudsburg Update
Jordan Kuhns — MSBN Broadcaster
UPDATE...3:47 p.m.
Hearing word from Point Stadium that rain delayed the continuation of the elimination game between Slippery Rock and Gannon. The Golden Knights have a 6-1 lead on The Rock, and if Gannon wins, Slippery Rock will be eliminated. They are currently in the bottom of the fifth inning.
This will slightly delay the start of Kutztown vs. West Chester from 5:00 p.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m., meaning Millersville's game may not begin until 8:30, or if the rain kicks up again, even later. Stay tuned to the blog for future updates.
UPDATE...4:40 p.m.
Gannon defeated Slippery Rock 9-3, eliminating The Rock from the tournament. On my estimation the tournament is only fifteen minutes behind schedule because of how quickly that game ended. This should not have a major impact on the broadcast.
The weather, on the other hand...anything is possible...
UPDATE...3:47 p.m.
Hearing word from Point Stadium that rain delayed the continuation of the elimination game between Slippery Rock and Gannon. The Golden Knights have a 6-1 lead on The Rock, and if Gannon wins, Slippery Rock will be eliminated. They are currently in the bottom of the fifth inning.
This will slightly delay the start of Kutztown vs. West Chester from 5:00 p.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m., meaning Millersville's game may not begin until 8:30, or if the rain kicks up again, even later. Stay tuned to the blog for future updates.
UPDATE...4:40 p.m.
Gannon defeated Slippery Rock 9-3, eliminating The Rock from the tournament. On my estimation the tournament is only fifteen minutes behind schedule because of how quickly that game ended. This should not have a major impact on the broadcast.
The weather, on the other hand...anything is possible...
Millersville Shuts Down Slippery Rock
Jordan Kuhns — MSBN Broadcaster
Johnstown, Pa. — A suicide squeeze and a four-hitter by junior Tim Mayza catapulted the Millersville Marauders to a 5-0 shutout win over Slippery Rock in round one of the PSAC Tournament on Thursday morning.
Mayza's tremendous effort was not entirely clean, but it was pretty flawless otherwise. He threw numerous first pitch balls, but he battled back and sped the game along nicely.
"It took a while to get comfortable," Mayza said. "[The umpire] wasn't allowing the belt high strike, but he was giving the outside strike."
His best feat was holding Will Kengor, the PSAC's batting champion, to 0-for-4, with four infield ground outs. Kengor came into the game batting .455.
"I knew coming in [Kengor] was their catalyst," Mayza continued, talking about his affinity to steal bases. "When he goes, they go."
"Tim did a fantastic job," head coach Jon Shehan said. "He threw a few lefty-lefty changeups to Kengor that he was probably not looking for there."
"Our goal isn't necessarily to throw the first pitch strike, but it's to be ahead after three pitches, and that's our focus."
The game had to be rescheduled last night due to a four hour lightning delay during the game between East Stroudsburg and Gannon. Heavy rains forced a reschedule to 8 a.m. from 6:30 p.m. the night prior. Thankfully, the delay did not stifle the Marauders' bats.
With runners on the corners, Jeff Heisey delivered a perfect suicide squeeze bunt to score Dan Johnson and give the Marauders the 1-0 lead. That lead would stand until the 7th inning when Mayza and Slippery Rock starter Lou Trivino dealt several 1-2-3 innings, speeding the game along. The game was only an hour old in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Millersville kept the offense going in the seventh. Kurt Seiders reached on an infield single, and then stole both second and third base. Tyler McDonald brought Seiders in on an RBI single, and then with the bases loaded, Jeremy Musser crushed a ball that went off the glove of shortstop Kengor and into left field. Two runs scored, and it extended the Marauder lead to 4-0.
Trivino's day was done after that, leading to the bullpen, which gave up another run. Tyler Orris was beaned by a pitch in the 8th, bringing in Dan Johnson with the bases loaded, capping the scoring for Millersville.
The defense was also in full bloom for Millersville. Evan King and Jeff Heisey both robbed Slippery Rock of two hits, including a diving catch by Heisey to end the ball game.
"That was one of the more complete games we've played all year," Shehan said. "We get a four-hitter out of Mayza, we make all the plays, we didn't walk many guys, and we offensively executed the game plan we had going in. I was really, really happy with our performance today."
Tad Barton will be on the mound for Millersville as they take on East Stroudsburg at 8 p.m. tonight from Point Stadium in Johnstown. Tune in at 7:30 p.m. for Marauders on Deck, brought to you by Homewood Suites by Hilton Lancaster.
Johnstown, Pa. — A suicide squeeze and a four-hitter by junior Tim Mayza catapulted the Millersville Marauders to a 5-0 shutout win over Slippery Rock in round one of the PSAC Tournament on Thursday morning.
Mayza's tremendous effort was not entirely clean, but it was pretty flawless otherwise. He threw numerous first pitch balls, but he battled back and sped the game along nicely.
"It took a while to get comfortable," Mayza said. "[The umpire] wasn't allowing the belt high strike, but he was giving the outside strike."
His best feat was holding Will Kengor, the PSAC's batting champion, to 0-for-4, with four infield ground outs. Kengor came into the game batting .455.
"I knew coming in [Kengor] was their catalyst," Mayza continued, talking about his affinity to steal bases. "When he goes, they go."
"Tim did a fantastic job," head coach Jon Shehan said. "He threw a few lefty-lefty changeups to Kengor that he was probably not looking for there."
"Our goal isn't necessarily to throw the first pitch strike, but it's to be ahead after three pitches, and that's our focus."
The game had to be rescheduled last night due to a four hour lightning delay during the game between East Stroudsburg and Gannon. Heavy rains forced a reschedule to 8 a.m. from 6:30 p.m. the night prior. Thankfully, the delay did not stifle the Marauders' bats.
With runners on the corners, Jeff Heisey delivered a perfect suicide squeeze bunt to score Dan Johnson and give the Marauders the 1-0 lead. That lead would stand until the 7th inning when Mayza and Slippery Rock starter Lou Trivino dealt several 1-2-3 innings, speeding the game along. The game was only an hour old in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Millersville kept the offense going in the seventh. Kurt Seiders reached on an infield single, and then stole both second and third base. Tyler McDonald brought Seiders in on an RBI single, and then with the bases loaded, Jeremy Musser crushed a ball that went off the glove of shortstop Kengor and into left field. Two runs scored, and it extended the Marauder lead to 4-0.
Trivino's day was done after that, leading to the bullpen, which gave up another run. Tyler Orris was beaned by a pitch in the 8th, bringing in Dan Johnson with the bases loaded, capping the scoring for Millersville.
The defense was also in full bloom for Millersville. Evan King and Jeff Heisey both robbed Slippery Rock of two hits, including a diving catch by Heisey to end the ball game.
"That was one of the more complete games we've played all year," Shehan said. "We get a four-hitter out of Mayza, we make all the plays, we didn't walk many guys, and we offensively executed the game plan we had going in. I was really, really happy with our performance today."
Tad Barton will be on the mound for Millersville as they take on East Stroudsburg at 8 p.m. tonight from Point Stadium in Johnstown. Tune in at 7:30 p.m. for Marauders on Deck, brought to you by Homewood Suites by Hilton Lancaster.
Millersville/Slippery Rock Starting Lineups
7:07 a.m.
Jordan Kuhns — MSBN Broadcaster
Game on from Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pa. Here are the starting lineups for both clubs.
Millersville University
Evan King 2B
Jeremy Musser LF
Zach Stone 1B
Dan Johnson DH
Kurt Seiders RF
Jeff Heisey CF
Tyler McDonald 3B
David Pine C
Tyler Orris SS
Tim Mayza P (9-3)
Slippery Rock
Will Kengor SS
Graeme Zaparynski RF
John Shaffer DH
Kevin Jovanovich 1B
Jake Weibley CF
Austin Benshadle LF
Jake Nogalo 3B
Ryan LaRose C
Matthew Curtis 2B
Lou Trivino P (7-4)
Jordan Kuhns — MSBN Broadcaster
Game on from Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pa. Here are the starting lineups for both clubs.
Millersville University
Evan King 2B
Jeremy Musser LF
Zach Stone 1B
Dan Johnson DH
Kurt Seiders RF
Jeff Heisey CF
Tyler McDonald 3B
David Pine C
Tyler Orris SS
Tim Mayza P (9-3)
Slippery Rock
Will Kengor SS
Graeme Zaparynski RF
John Shaffer DH
Kevin Jovanovich 1B
Jake Weibley CF
Austin Benshadle LF
Jake Nogalo 3B
Ryan LaRose C
Matthew Curtis 2B
Lou Trivino P (7-4)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)