Geneva College (4-2) @ Thomas More College (4-2)
Saturday, October 20, 2007
2:30 pm - Dixie Heights High School - Crestview Hills, KY
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: First Meeting
"GENEVA SEEKING SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY"
Geneva embarks on its longest road trip of the season on Saturday as the Golden Tornadoes head south to take on Thomas More College for the first time in school history. While Geneva was healing its wounds with its only bye week of the season, Thomas More was busy taking care of business to the tune of 44-17 over Saint Vincent last Saturday. Both teams enter Saturday′s action with an overall record of 4-2, while TMC is riding a two-game winning streak.
Geneva is looking to get back into the win column after a hard fought 20-7 loss to 10th ranked Salisbury University on October 6th. Despite four trips into the red zone, the Golden Tornadoes were only able to come away with one touchdown. Salisbury, which came into the game averaging 43 points per contest, was held 23 points under that average by the PAC′s top ranked defense. Allowing just 14.2 points per game, Geneva′s defense ranks number one in the Presidents′ Athletic Conference. The Golden Tornadoes are also at the top of the list with 23 sacks on the season.
It has been Geneva′s defense that has continued to shine throughout the 2007 season. Led by Brad Roman′s 54 tackles, Geneva also features sophomore Brian Wilson with a conference best 16.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Geneva has also forced 15 turnovers in the first six games of the season. Sophomore safety Richard Kolesar leads the team with three interceptions, including one in each of the past three games.
Geneva′s defense will have to deal with TMC′s Cordario Collier′s 126 yards per game on the ground. Second in the PAC in rushing, Collier has rushed for 758 yards and five scores this year while averaging five yards per carry. Through the air, the Saints feature a pair of freshmen signal callers that have split time behind center. Joey Zerhusen is listed as the starter and is 34-53 for 371 yards and five touchdowns this year. Meanwhile, Josh Gauger has thrown for 763 yards, while completing close to 60% of his passes. Gauger has been bit by the interception bug six times, while Zerhusen is yet to throw a pick.
Geneva′s offense could get a boost with the possibility of running back Gerard Muschette returning to the line-up. Muschette has missed two games with a high ankle sprain, but could be available this week. Prior to the injury, he was averaging 5.2 yards per carry with a pair of touchdowns. In his absence, Matt Dean and Matt Curry have picked up the slack. They have combined for almost 450 yards and four touchdowns. Senior quarterback Bobby Bondi has rushed for 245 yards, while completing 87-155 passes for 850 yards. Bondi has spread the ball around to his top receivers Luke Duriancik (24 rec), Brian Dvorsak (22 rec.) and Scott Koenig (21 rec.).
Thomas More has been strong on defense by allowing just 16.2 points per game. Second in the PAC in scoring defense, the Saints are led by Matt Clark′s 57 tackles and Brandon Kohr′s 7.5 tackles for loss.
In what figures to be a defensive struggle, Geneva and Thomas More have allowed opponents to score more than 20 points a combined three times all year.
While Geneva will return home to face Saint Vincent College for the first time since 1962, Thomas More travels to Bethany to take on the Bison next week.
NOTES:
*Geneva will close out the regular season with three straight home games beginning with Saint Vincent next Saturday.
*Geneva remains ranked #2 in the most recent NCCAA Don Hansen poll. Hansen also ranked Geneva at #37 in this week′s Division III poll. Geneva will have to remain as one of the top two ranked teams in the NCCAA to qualify for the Victory Bowl on November 17th.
*Geneva head coach Geno DeMarco will once again be in search of career victory #100 this Saturday. The all-time winningest coach in school history has a career record of 99-54.
*Thomas More scored 34 unanswered points, including 27 in the fourth quarter, to keep Saint Vincentwinless, beating the Bearcats, 44-17, at Chuck Noll Field.
*Thomas More freshman quarterback Joey Zerhusen(Cincinnati, OH/McNicholas) threw for three touchdowns and ran for a 67-yard touchdown to lead the Saints. He was 17-of-27 passing for 187 yards with zero interceptions and 89 yards rushing. In his two starts this season, the young signal caller has accounted for seven touchdowns.
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