EDINBORO Fighting Scots (7-4, 4-3 PSAC West in 2017) at LAKE ERIE The Storm (2-8, 2-5 Mountain East in 2017)
Date: Saturday, September 1, 2018
Site: Painesville, Ohio
Stadium: Jack Britt Memorial Stadium (3,000)
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m.
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Video: Click Here
Radio: WFSE 88.9
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Edinboro Game Notes
Scouting the Teams
On Radio and TV
The Edinboro-Lake Erie game can be heard live on WFSE FM 88.9, with Chris Rosato and Luke Boniger providing the commentary. The WFSE stream can be heard at www.edinboronow.com.
The All-Time Series
Edinboro leads 1-0
The Fighting Scots claimed the first-ever meeting between the two teams a year ago in the 2017 season opener. Edinboro prevailed 30-3 at Sox Harrison Stadium thanks to a strong second half. The contest marked the first under head coach Wayne Bradford.
The Last Meeting
2017 -- Edinboro 30, Lake Erie 3
After a slow start, the Fighting Scots handed head coach Wayne Bradford a win in his coaching debut. Edinboro pulled away after leading 10-0 at the half, while taking advantage of six Lake Erie turnovers in the game, plus outstanding efforts from Ta'Nauz Gregory, Walter Fletcher, and Zuril Hendrick. Gregory caught 7 passes for 123 yards, including touchdown catches of 32 and 34 yards from Jake Sisson. Fletcher scored on a 28-yard run while running for a then career-high 189 yards on 25 carries. Hendrick paced the defense with three interceptions, returning the last 61 yards for six points to cap the win. Redshirt freshman Mike Cushma scored the first points of 2017 with a 26-yard field goal. Edinboro ended the day with 414 yards, while Lake Erie had 404.
The Coaches
Wayne Bradford (Salisbury St. '90) was named Edinboro's 15th head coach on March 29, 2017 and led Edinboro to a 7-4 record in his first season. After serving as interim head coach in 2017, that tag was removed after less than a week after the conclusion of the season. Bradford has worked under four different head coaches and was an assistant at Edinboro for 18 years before taking over as the interim head coach. He has spent a majority of his time as the Fighting Scots' defensive coordinator. Bradford has master-minded some brilliant defensive performances over the years in a day and age when offense has taken over. For instance, in 2011 the Fighting Scots ranked eighth in Division II in scoring defense (17.0 ppg.), 11th in pass efficiency defense, and 18th in total defense (292.6 ypg.). Edinboro gave up fewer than 20 points in seven of its 11 games. A year ago, his Edinboro defense finished first in the PSAC and fourth in Division II in tackles for losses, and second in the PSAC and sixth in the country in sacks. Edinboro finished the 2016 campaign with a 9-2 record, marking the fifth time an Edinboro team with Bradford on the staff tied the school record for victories (9). Three of Edinboro's teams during his tenure have reached the NCAA playoffs, including the 2009 team, which finished at 9-4 and reached the Super Region One semifinals. All told, he has been a part of 116 wins.
Gerald Hazzard (Baldwin Wallace '03) joined The Storm coaching staff as the offensive coordinator in January 2007 and was named interim head coach on October 17, 2016. Hazzard was the first assistant hired into the program. His first year with the Storm was during its club status, with this season marking his 11th with the team and his 14th overall. He has a 2-12 overall record, including 2-8 in his first full season as head coach in 2017. Hazzard has helped produce five All-Americans and 32 all-conference performers at Lake Erie. Under Hazzard's guidance, the Storm offense has ranked among the best Division II in several seasons, including first nationally in 2013, and 19th in 2014. The latter squad featured running back Anthony Bilal, who was second in Division II with 2,092 rushing yards and first with 29 touchdowns. Bilal finished third in the Harlon Hill Trophy voting, was voted GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year, and was a concensus All-American. Hazzard came to Lake Erie with a combined four years coaching experience as a student assistant at his alma mater, Baldwin-Wallace, as well as an offensive assistant at Gettysburg College.
The Game Stories
- Edinboro opens the 2018 campaign at Lake Erie on Saturday, September 1. It marks the second straight year the two teams will open the season against each other, and is just the second meeting between the two teams. A year ago, the Fighting Scots opened Wayne Bradford's tenure as Edinboro's 15th head coach with a 30-3 win over the Storm at Sox Harrison Stadium.
- Edinboro finished with a 7-4 record and went 4-3 in the PSAC West with Wayne Bradford serving as interim head coach in 2017. The interim tag was pulled from his title the week after the season ended. A total of 19 starters return from last year's squad -- 8 of offense, 10 on defense, and one on special teams. The roster features 19 seniors.
- The Fighting Scots were picked to finish fourth in the Western Division in the PSAC Coaches' Preseason Poll for the second straight year. Edinboro finished fourth in the Western Division last year. Indiana(Pa.) is the preseasaon favorite in the PSAC West.
- Edinboro was ranked in a pair of preseason publications. The Fighting Scots are 18th in Lindy's Sports College Football National 2018 Preview. and 24th in the Street & Smith's College Football Magazine Preseason Top 25. In addition, Edinboro is among others receiving votes in the AFCA Division II Preseason Top 25.
- A trio of Edinboro players earned All-American honors a year ago. Walter Fletcher was a consensus All-American, including second team Associated Press Division II All-America honors, after ranking second in Division II in rushing. Zuril Hendrick and James Clark were named to the Don Hansen All-America Team, with Hendrick named to the first team after leading Division II in interceptions, and Clark a third team choice after ranking third in Division II in receptions per game.
- Edinboro had six players earn All-PSAC West honors last year, and all six return. Walter Fletcher (RB), James Clark (WR), and Brandon Anderson (SS) were accorded first team honors, while Derek Dorr (DT), Ta'Nauz Gregory (RS) and Zuril Hendrick (CB) were named to the second team.
- Lake Erie competes in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. the Storm ws picked to finish eighth out of nine teams in the 2018 GMAC Coaches' Preseason Poll. Lake Erie finished with a 2-8 record a year ago.
- Lake Erie competes in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. the Storm ws picked to finish eighth out of nine teams in the 2018 GMAC Coaches' Preseason Poll. Lake Erie finished with a 2-8 record a year ago.
- Edinboro is looking for its third straight opening-game victory. The Fighting Scots edged St. Joseph's(In.), 31-3), in 2016, and opened the 2017 campaign with a 30-3 win over Lake Erie.
Next for the Fighting Scots
Saturday, September 8 at Bloomsburg -- 2 p.m.
