The Series: BU holds a slim 43-40-2 edge in the all-time series that enters its 86th meeting. The Warriors snapped a four-game losing streak to Bloomsburg last season with a 35-14 win over the Huskies. In recent memory, the Huskies have had the Warriors’ number, with wins in 13 of the last 15 matchups dating back to 2006. Trailing 7-0 in last year’s battle, ESU scored 35 consecutive points after allowing the first touchdown of the game in the 35-14 win. Tyriq Lewis rushed a career-high 114 yards in the win, while defensive end Ryan Hieber found the end zone on a 33-yd interception return. With a win, ESU will have consecutive wins over Bloomsburg for the first time since 1992-93. It would be the Warriors’ first win at Redman Stadium since 2005’s NCAA Division II Second Round matchup.
Know the Foe: The Huskies enter the contest with a 3-4 record, coming off a 17-9 win over Lock Haven. Pocono Mountain West graduate Kaleb Monaco averages 50 yards per contest to pace the Huskies’ rushing attack. He posted 103 yards and a touchdown in 2021 against the Warriors and recorded 95 yards last week. At quarterback, KJ Riley is projected to start, with Ben Ries as the backup. In its lastest matchup with the Bald Eagles, Riley completed 8-13 passes with a touchdown and interception. Holding a one-point lead in the third quarter, it was Ries that found the endzone on a four-yd rush. Matthew Bowes has been the favorite Husky target, with 208 yards and three touchdown on the season. Defensively, Quentin Gaskill paced the team with 64 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass breakups at the defensive back position.
Last Time Out: On Homecoming, ESU fell to West Chester, 24-21, after a 15-yd game-winning touchdown from Cooper Jordan to Thatcher with just 16 seconds to lift the Golden Rams over the Warriors. In a battle of defenses, ESU’s Tahir Mills paced the offense with 57 yards rushing on just seven carries and found the endzone for the second time during his freshman season. Jake Cirillo and Tyriq Lewis also tallied rushing scores.
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades: The loss for ESU was its third consecutive and fourth this season that came by less than a touchdown. In its past four losses, the Warriors fell to nationally-ranked and undefeated IUP by just three points with a last second field goal (38-35); Kutztown, the defending PSAC Champion by four points (24-20) after a Golden Bears’ defensive stand; a tough road loss at Millersville (20-14) after playing three different quarterbacks; and the aforementioned go-ahead touchdown against West Chester (24-21) on ESU’s Homecoming.
Power Serge: Defensively, linebacker Sergei Felizor has been a tackling machine this season, pacing ESU with 64 tackles. The native of Hightstown, N.J. has combined for 27 tackles in his last two games, and has reached double digits in takedowns in three contests this season. He has also registered at least half a TFL in each of the past four games, including a sack against West Chester last week.
Coming Up: After facing the Huskies, ESU heads to Shippensburg on Saturday, Oct. 29 for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff at Seth Grove Stadium.
