The Bryan Moore era kicks off 1:30 p.m. Saturday as the Wilmington College Fightin' Quakers host the Earlham Quakers on Townsend Field in Williams Stadium.
The Series
Earlham leads the overall series, 25-14-2. However, Wilmington has dominated the recent history, winning the last nine meetings. (Quaker Bowl History)
The Last Five
1997: Wilmington 43, Earlham 7
1996: Wilmington 24, Earlham 0
1985: Wilmington 30, Earlham 0
1984: Wilmington 6, Earlham 3
1983: Wilmington 24, Earlham 8
Quaker Bowl Series
The two schools announced an annual Quaker Bowl series as an all-sport traveling trophy. Today's game is the first first of nine potential meetings between the two schools.
Military Appreciation Day
Wilmington will honor all military members, past and present, during the game. Assistant Coach Josh Sams, a retired member of the United States Marine Corps, will be the honorary captain.
All-OAC Returners
All three of Wilmington's student athletes that earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors are returning for their senior seasons.
Linebacker C.J. Thompson, who earned second-team laurels, led the team, and was eighth in OAC with 78 tackles. His nine tackles for loss also led the team, and were 12th in the conference.
Defensive linemen Darren Milligan led WC defensive linemen with 43 tackles, while receiver P.J. Meyer finished with 42 receptions for 621 yards and a team-high two touchdowns.
PJ & AJ
Senior P.J. Meyer and sophomore A.J. Hightower are expected to lead the Wilmington aerial attack this season. Meyer, who was an All-OAC receiver last season, returns for his final season. A converted quarterback, Hightower showed flashes of his potential in limited action.
Schematic Change
One of the biggest changes for Wilmington's defense will be the change from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5 defense. Sophomore Steve Broussard is expected to benefit greatly from the change, and have a breakout season.
KEY PLAYERS
Wilmington's David Henry
After missing most of the last season with an injury, David Henry returns to wreck havoc on opposing offenses. His ability to be disruptive in the pass game could make the Quakers one-dimensional.
Earlham's Marcaus Cooper
The senior receiver led the team with 43 receptions for 530 yards, and is the most potent weapon with Wesley Hundley moving exclusively to quarterback. He will look to exploit a defensive secondary with three freshman starters.
BY THE NUMBERS
10 - Wilmington has some experience peppered throughout the two-deep with 10 seniors, including defensive stalwarts C.J. Thompson and David Henry, looking to make a significant impact. Offensively, a pair of senior tackles - Sterling Clark and Lane Hacker - will be protecting senior quarterback Luke Creditt.
12 - The number of freshmen listed in the offensive and defensive two-deep. While receiver Ameer Jackson in the only freshman starter on offense, Wilmington has three starters listed in the defensive secondary.
44 - The school record of 44 yards yielded was achieved the last time the two teams met in 1997.
ABOUT EARLHAM
The Earlham Quakers bring a 33-game losing streak into today's Quaker Bowl.
Their last victory game October 26, 2013, a 21-20 victory over Anderson.
Earlham returns four all-HCAC players, including senior Wesley Hundley. The multi-positional athlete played quarterback, running back and receiver for the Quakers last season. He finished with 1,599 total yards and 11 touchdowns (five passing, four rushing and two receiving). Hundley is the lone player with extensive quarterback experience on the roster this season.
Senior Marcaus Cooper led the team in receiving with 43 catches for 530 yards and five touchdowns.
Senior Roderick Matthews anchored the Earlham offensive line and has started all 30 games of his college career. The other all conference selection was sophomore punter Jordan Christian, who broke the school's 49-year old record with an 83-yard punt.
Defensively, EC returns two of its top five tacklers, including sophomore Grant Bowersock. The linebacker was second on the team with 71 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Senior defensive back Eric Bryant was fifth on the team with 46 tackles.
