Coming off a disappointing loss on Homecoming, the Wilmington College football team must refocus quickly and turn their sights on the top-ranked Mount Union Purple Raiders. The Quakers travel to Alliance 6 p.m. Saturday. (Game Notes)
Despite the retirement of long-time coach Larry Kehres and the fact they only returned just one offensive starter – the reigning National Champions haven't missed a beat.
"Mount Union is Mount Union," said head coach Stacey Hairston. "They are very well coached, very disciplined. They don't go through a rebuilding process; they go through a reloading process. Each week from week one to week four, they have gotten better. Now you have a bunch of guys that are gelling and hitting their stride."
The Purple Raiders are coming off a 58-7 victory over Ohio Northern.
Junior quarterback Kevin Burke is leading the Mount Union offense, completing 70.1 percent (75-of-107) of his passes, while throwing for 1,153 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has a team-high 239 yards rushing. However, it's back-up quarterback Taurice Scott that leads the Purple Raiders in rushing yards per game, averaging 74.7 yards. Additionally, Scott is averaging 22.4 yards per carry.
Adding to the rushing attack is Heidelberg transfer Germany Woods, who led the OAC with 142.1 yards as a sophomore two years ago with the Student Princes. He has 225 yards on 65 carries and a team-high six touchdowns.
When Mount Union takes to the air, senior Jack Nicholls is Burke's favorite target. He is second in the OAC with 28 receptions and is tied for the league-lead with five receiving scores.
"They have always curtailed their offense to their top strength," said Hairston. "They have always used their strengths, and now there isn't one area that stands out over the other. They don't have one superstar, but a bunch of guys that can play at that same level."
Defensively, Ted Rosalva leads the OAC with five sacks, while teammate Tom Lally is adding three. All-American Matt Fechko clogs up the middle, but it also spending time playing offensive line.
The defensive backfield of Tre Jones, Isaiah Chambers, Joshua Scott, Mike Maier and Alek Kocheff has been opportunistic in the passing game, combining for four of the team's five interceptions. They could be challenged this week by Wilmington sophomore Jeremy Duncan. The 6-5 receiver is coming off an OAC-best 327 yards receiving, which is the 12th best receiving day ever.
But, the Quakers are going to have to find a complement to Duncan whether it's another receiver or their running game.
"Eventually teams are going to line up two over Duncan and tell you to beat them with somebody else," said Hairston. "We have to have other players step up. We can't just think we are just going to throw the ball to Duncan, and he is going to bail us out.
"When you don't have a tailback that hits holes hard, that runs hard, that runs the play the way it's supposed to, it makes for a long day on offense," he continued. "When you can't run the ball, it's difficult to throw the ball when they drop eight guys back. You have to be able to run the ball. Right now we are dead last; we are struggling right now. The offensive line has to get better, but our running backs need to be a lot better."
One player that can be a difference maker for the Wilmington passing game is senior Antonio Turner. After missing the first three games with an injury, he made his return last week. His lone catch, a 18-yard grab, was nullified by a penalty. But, he is itching to make a bigger splash in his final collegiate season.
"Antonio brings us another dimension that maybe (injured receiver) Stephen (Donoghue) didn't have, and that is speed," said Hairston. "That is something we have take advantage of because we are going to have to be able to count on someone other than Duncan if we want to be successful. Other guys are going to have opportunities to make some plays."
Wilmington is ten points from eclipsing last season's season total of 91 points, while senior quarterback Brandon Arehart has already tied his season-best of 10 touchdowns established two seasons ago.