GAME NOTES
The Series: Saturday’s meeting will be the 10th meeting all-time between programs. First meeting the PSAC Championship game in 1968, a 28-28 tie at Cal, the Warriors won three consecutive meetings in 1992, 1993 and 2006. Since 2007, the Vulcans hold a 5-0 record against the Warriors, including a 31-7-win last season.
A Look at the Vulcans: Cal enters the matchup on a two-game winning streak after suffering its second loss of the season against PSAC West champion and nationally-ranked Slippery Rock on Oct. 21. The Warriors and Vulcans have three mutual opponents in Kutztown, Shepherd and IUP. Both ESU and Cal knocked off the defending PSAC Champion Crimson Hawks, while both falling to Shepherd. The Vulcans bested Kutztown, while ESU suffered its first loss at KU. The Vulcans average 35.2 points per game, just ahead of ESU’s 33.7 points per contest, with both offenses ranking in the top-three. ESU’s third-ranked scoring defense (20.4 points allowed per game) in the PSAC ranks ahead of the Vulcans’ sixth-ranked defense (21.4). Davis Black ranks second in the PSAC West and third overall in the conference with 240 passing yards per contest. Look out for Eric Willis III, who ranks second in the PSAC with 93.3 yards per game receiving. Erick McKan III ranks eighth in rushing with 70.9 yards per contest.
Last Year at Cal: Last year at Adamson Stadium in the regular season finale, ESU was held to 187 yards of offense, as the Vulcan offense slowly put 31 points on the scoreboard. Leading 21-7 at halftime, Cal scored 10 second-half points for a 31-7 final score.
Senior Day: Prior to the matchup against the Vulcans, the ESU athletic department will honor seniors Devin Bartholomew, Daryn Blackwell, Paul Carreras, Rourke Colligan, Jahmere Crumpton, Nick Davanzo, Sergei Felizor, Shavar Hussett, Adrian Lambert, Elias Marte, Deshawn McCarthy, Jonathan Post and Aaron Tobias for their contributions to the football program and East Stroudsburg University.
Selection Show: The NCAA Division II Football Championship bracket will be revealed on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 6:00 p.m. live on NCAA.com.
The Race to 100: Sergei Felizor looks to become the first Warrior to record 100-plus tackles in back-to-back seasons since three-time All-America selection Matt Freed recorded 100-plus tackles in three seasons (2008-10). He currently has 88 tackles this season.
Sack Race: Entering potentially his final game at ESU, Deshawn McCarthy enters the contest with 30 career sacks in 41 games played. He’s tied for third all-time in the category with Joe Ruedt (1989) and sits three sacks behind Warrior co-record holders Des Hussey (1989-91) and Bill Camp (1981-84), who both have 33.
A Family Divided: In his final game at Eiler-Martin Stadium Warrior quarterback Aaron Tobias will be facing a familiar face in his brother and starting offensive tackle Matthew Tobias. The two starred at Penns Valley High School with their father, Martin, serving as the head coach.
Bracketology: In the latest NCAA Super Region 1 rankings released on Monday, ESU ranked seventh, with California (PA) ranked fourth. A win for either the Warriors or Vulcans should secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. A loss could potentially jeopardize a playoff spot for either team. ESU is seeking its fifth trip to the NCAA Playoffs and its first since the 2009 season. The Warriors previously earned trips to the NCAA Tournament in 1991, 2004, 2005 and 2009.
NCAA Super Region 1 Rankings
RANK | SCHOOL | DII RECORD | IN-REGION |
|---|
1 | Slippery Rock | 10-0 | 9-0 |
2 | Tiffin | 10-0 | 10-0 |
3 | Charleston (W.Va.) | 8-1 | 8-1 |
4 | California (Pa.) | 7-2 | 7-2 |
5 | Kutztown | 8-2 | 8-2 |
6 | Shepherd | 8-2 | 8-2 |
7 | East Stroudsburg | 8-2 | 8-2 |
8 | Fairmont State | 8-2 | 8-2 |
9 | Frostburg State | 6-3 | 6-3 |
10 | New Haven | 6-2 | 6-2 |
Home Cooking: The Warriors have enjoyed playing at Eiler-Martin Stadium this season, boasting a perfect 5-0 record and have outscored the opposition 217-80 (average of 43.4 points to 16.) ESU has outscored foes 63-13 in first quarters at EMS, and 57-6 in the third quarter in the Poconos. Comparatively, the Warriors are being outscored 124-120 on the road. 14 of ESU’s 26 passing touchdowns have come at Eiler-Martin Stadium, with ESU tossing just three interceptions at home in five games. The Warriors rushing attack has been dominant, outrushing foes by an average of 236-68.6 yards per game. Tyriq Lewis averages 84.2 yards per game and 7.2 yards per carry in home games.
Perfect in the Poconos: ESU looks to go undefeated at Eiler-Martin Stadium this season, holding a 5-0 record so far through 2023. The Warriors look to go undefeated at home with at least six wins in the Poconos for the first time since 2002 and the third time overall (1965). ESU last had six home wins (6-1) during a single season during the NCAA Semifinal season in 2005. The Warriors defeated Edinboro (23-21), lost to Bloomsburg (24-31) in overtime, and defeated Kutztown (42-14), and Mansfield (57-20) in the regular season, along with postseason home victories against Southern Connecticut State (55-33) and CW Post (55-28).
ESU looks to go undefeated at home for the first time since 2002, with the Warriors earning six wins against Mansfield (31-14), Shepherd (35-23), Edinboro (30-24), Cheyney (48-7), Millersville (37-26) and Kutztown (34-7) in a PSAC East championship season.
The Warriors have gone unscathed in 18 seasons at home. Home undefeated seasons include 2002 (6-0) 1992 (5-0), 1982 (5-0), 1979 (4-0), 1976 (5-0), 1968 (4-0), 1966 (3-0), 1965 (6-0), 1964 (4-0) 1962 (4-0), 1960 (4-0), 1956 (4-0), 1942 (3-0), 1934 (2-0-1), 1933 (3-0), 1932 (2-0-1), 1927 (5-0) and its inauguaral season in 1926 (4-0).
Up Next: ESU closes the regular season against the Vulcans and hopes to punch its fifth trip to the NCAA Playoffs. The Warriors will find out officially if it has qualified for the postseason during the NCAA DII Football Selection Show on Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
