GenevaFootball Preview
GenevaCollege Golden Tornadoes (1-2)
@ SetonHillUniversity Griffins (1-4)
Saturday, October 7th @ 2:00 pm
Offutt Field - Greensburg, PA
Geneva may have played its final game against long-time rival Malone College last Saturday. The Golden Tornadoes ended that series with a 22-13 loss to the Pioneers. After 15 games between the two schools, Geneva is leaving the MSFA at the end of the season for NCAA Division III and the Presidents′ Athletic Conference. While one rivalry is coming to an end, the Golden Tornadoes will begin a new series with Seton Hill University this Saturday in Greensburg, PA. In their second season of intercollegiate football, Seton Hill is 1-4, including a 23-7 loss to Walsh University last weekend. Meanwhile, the Golden Tornadoes have fallen out of the NAIA top 25 for the first time this season and are sitting on a 1-2 overall record in 2006.
Turnovers were the name of the game last Saturday as Geneva gift-wrapped six of them to Malone in the nine-point loss. Five interceptions and a fumble that led directly to 15 Malone College points were too much for the Golden Tornadoes to come back from despite a late score. Freshman running back Javon Moody scored his first two collegiate touchdowns last week, but once again the Geneva ground game was not up to par. The Golden Tornadoes rushed for just 18 yards in the loss, which was the lowest single game total since Geno DeMarco took over as head coach in 1993. Conversely, Luke Duriancik has been quite solid at the wide receiver position. In fact, Duriancik has 12 catches for 275 yards and leads the MSFA with 91.7 yards per game. Duriancik helped his cause in Geneva′s victory over Olivet Nazarene with a 98 yard touchdowns reception, the second longest in school history.
The strength of Geneva′s team in 2006 has clearly been the play of its defense. Brian Hall has accumulated 18 tackles in two of Geneva′s first three contests. Hall leads the conference in tackles per game. Meanwhile, Derek McElhaney leads the MSFA with four interceptions, including three picks in Geneva′s victory over Olivet Nazarene.
As for Seton Hill, the Griffins have allowed 72 points combined in the last two weeks. In losses to Wesley College and Walsh, Seton Hill has been outscored 72-20. For the season, Seton Hill has allowed 28 points per game. Sophomore Garyn Ehrlich will get the start at quarterback this week. Ehrlich is 16-31 for 193 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2006. He has, however, been hit by the interception bug with four to his credit. Seton Hill has thrown a total of 10 interceptions in its first four games. On the ground, Antwarn Jones has 557 yards and five touchdowns. He is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 111.4 yards per game. Special teams may favor the Griffins as placekicker Ray Wilkins has already booted seven field goals in nine attempts, while Geneva is yet to attempt a field goal in three games.
The start of a new series between Geneva and Seton Hill kicks off this Saturday in Greensburg. If the rivalry that has been built on the basketball court between these two schools is any indication, this football game could be one to remember. The football series looks as though it won′t have much of a life after 2006 since Geneva is moving to Division III and Seton Hill is headed to Division II and the WVIAC.
Saturday′s game can be heard live on WBVP-1230 AM with the pre-game show beginning at 1:30 pm. It can also be heard via the internet at www.msasportsnetwork.com.
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