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Andre Dowdell vs. Cal
Mike Gallagher

Football Bob Shreve, Sports Information Director

Fighting Scots Seek Initial Win at Gannon

Redshirt senior WR Andre Dowdell
EDINBORO Fighting Scots (0-4, 0-1 PSAC West) at GANNON Golden Knights (2-2-, 1-0 PSAC West) 

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2019
Site: Erie, Pa.
Stadium: McConnell Family Stadium (2,500)
Kickoff: 12 noon
Live Stats:  Click Here
Live Video: Click Here  
Radio: WFSE 88.9 Click Here 

Edinboro Game Notes (PDF) (PDF) 
Gannon Game Notes

SCOUTING THE TEAMS
 
Edinboro                 
Schedule     
Roster    
Statistics
 
Gannon          
Schedule 
Roster 
Statistics

THE PSAC
Scores
Standings
Statistics
 
ON RADIO AND TV
The Edinboro-Gannon game can be heard live on WFSE FM 88.9, with Chase Rowland handling the play-by-play and Diondre Johnson providing the color commentary. The WFSE stream can be heard at www.edinboronow.com.  

THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Edinboro leads 9-4

The series began in 2001 with Edinboro winning the first seven meetings. However, Gannon has won four of the last six contests, although it was Edinboro prevailing a year ago, 31-24, at Sox Harrison Stadium.  The Fighting Scots have not won at McConnell Family Stadium since 2011. 

LAST YEAR'S GAME
Edinboro 31, Gannon 24 
Edinboro trailed the entire game before scoring the final two touchdowns to prevail over Gannon in front of over 4,600 Homecoming fans at Sox Harrison Stadium. James Clark made an outstanding diving catch of Andrew Tomko's pass for a seven-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to knot the score at 24-24. Tomko completed the comeback when he hooked up with a wide-open A.J. Turner for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 1:43 remaining. The Edinboro defense stopped Gannon on downs to clinch the win. Gannon would jump out to a 14-0 lead less than 12 minutes into the game. Edinboro answered late in the first quarter following a 79-yard kickoff re-
turn by Kyle Galyk. Tomko found Turner for a 19-yard touchdown, the first of Turner's career. The two teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter, with Jake Monroe converting his first career 3-pointer from 32 yards out. Edinboro knotted the game at 17-17 at halftime when Walter Fletcher scored from a yard out. Gannon re-
claimed the lead at 24-17 midway through the third quarter, setting up Edinboro's rally. The Fighting Scots finished with 346 total yards while limiting Gannon to just 277 yards. Tomko completed 15-of-27 passes for 244 yards with 3 TDs and 3 INTs. Fletcher topped 100 yards rushing and receiving, with 111 yards on the ground and 109
yards on 7 receptions.   
  
LAST WEEK 
Cal U 24, Edinboro 7 
Edinboro fell to 0-4 and lost for the 15th straight time against Cal, but it was not due to a lack of effort by the defense. In fact, the Edinboro D went toe-to-toe with a high-powered Vulcans offense that came in averaging over 48 ppg. Unfortunately, the Edinboro offense was never able to get going save for three long pass plays from Andrew Tomko to Andre Dowdell Jr., and Cal benefited  from a short field on three occasions. They would score 10 points on two drives of 21 yards. Edinboro scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass from backup QB Jordan Castelli to Ta'Nauz Gregory early in the third quarter following a Brandon Anderson interception. That cut the deficit to 10-7, but Cal would build the lead to 17-7 with a touchdown midway through the third quarter, then put the game away with a touchdown midway through the fourth period. The Vulcans finished with 425 yards against an Edinboro defense that spent over 40 minutes on the field. The offense was held to six first downs and 154 total yards. The Scots finished with minus 4 yards rushing, tied for the sixth-lowest figure in school history, while facing one of the top rushing defenses in the country. 
 
Gannon 51, Clarion 35 
A fast start saw Gannon jump out to a four touchdown lead at 27-0 early in the second quarter, and the Golden Knights would lead 41-14 at the half. Clarion would rally in the second half but never get closer than 48-35 early in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Keefe turned in one of the best passing days in program history for Gannon. He completed just 12 passes in 25 attempts, but he matched a single-game record with five touchdowns while throwing for 374 yards.  That figure ranks eighth in the Gannon record book, and he passed 3,000 career yards during the game, putting him sixth all-time for the Golden Knights. Joey Cox caught two of the touchdown passes, including a 75-yarder, while hauling in 3 passes for 113 yards. Zevin Holley caught a 58-yard TD pass, and Tyger Winston hauled in a 51-yarder for six points.    Melvin Blanks rolled for 87 yards on the ground. The Gannon defense, which entered the game 20th in the nation in interceptions, picked off four passes. That's the most in a game for the Knights since also intercepting four in the 2017 season finale against Millersville. Gannon finished with 557 yards in total offense while Clarion totaled 511.
  
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. That was followed by a 6-5 finish a year ago, giving Bradford a 13-13 record in his third season. The 13 wins is tied for the most by an Edinboro head coach in his first two seasons. After serving as interim head coach in 2017, that tag was removed less than a week after the conclusion of the season. With his tenth win as head coach coming against East Stroudsburg last year, Bradford is the fastest coach to reach 10 wins at Edinboro. 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, although in 2019 he will move over to the offensive side to oversee the offense. 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. Two years 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 118 wins. 
 
Brad Ryzczycki (Mercyhurst '95) was hired as Gannon's head coach on May 3, 2012.   He is now in his eighth season and has a 38-43 record. He enjoyed his top season in 2014, when he led the Golden Knights to a 9-2 record, finishing as the PSAC West co-champions. Ryzczycki was no stranger to area football when he took over as head coach, as he was a four-year starter at cornerback for Mercyhurst and later served as Gannon's assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for five seasons. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Mercyhurst, working there for seven seasons as a defensive assistant.  Prior to arriving at Gannon he served in the same role at Kentucky Wesleyan for four years.  He also served as the wide receivers and special teams coordinator at Saginaw Valley State for a season.  
 
THE GAME STORIES
  • Edinboro plays its lone road game in a stretch of four games, and that is a short trip up I-79 to play at local rival Gannon. The Fighting Scots are home the next two weeks, celebrating Homecoming on Saturday, October 12 against another local rival, Mercyhurst, before 10th-ranked Slippery Rock visits Sox Harrison Stadium on Saturday, October 19.
  • The Fighting Scots come in with an 0-4 record after last week's 24-7 loss to Cal U in their PSAC West opener. It marked the 15th straight loss to the Vulcans, but the final score is a bit deceiving. The Edinboro defense turned in an outstanding effort while limiting a Cal offense that was averaging over 48 points per contest. It was far from a one-sided affair, with Edinboro pulling to within 10-7 early in the third quarter on Ta'Nauz Gregory's 29th career touchdown reception, and still trailing just 17-7 midway through the fourth quarter before Cal began a drive at the Edinboro 21 and was able to score an insurance touchdown.
  • Edinboro has faced a demanding schedule to date, with two teams coming in at 4-0 and another at 3-1. The opened the season with a 35-10 loss at then 12th-ranked Grand Valley State (4-0), followed by a 24-21 setback to Bloomsburg in the home opener. That was followed by a 34-14 loss at East Stroudsburg (4-0). All told, Edinboro's opponents are 12-4.           
  • While the defense was containing Cal, the offense could never find any rhythm while managing just six first downs and 154 total yards. Cal came into the game allowing just 24.3 ypg. rushing, and proceeded to hold Edinboro to minus 4 yards on the ground, ttied for the sixth- lowest output ever.
  • Like Edinboro, the Gannon offense came into its game against Clarion struggling offensively. In fact, Edinboro had scored 45 points and Gannon 38 over their first three games.  But the Golden Knights would explode in week number four, celebrating Homecoming with a 51-35 win over Clarion. That leaves the Golden Knights at 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the PSAC West. 
  • Edinboro holds a 9-4 lead in the all-time series with Gannon, but has not won at McConnell Family Stadium since 2013. A year ago, the Fighting Scots scored in the final two minutes to claim a 31-24 Homecoming victory. That contest marked the first time since 2011 that one of the two teams did not score at least 40 points.        
  • Edinboro was picked to finish fifth in the PSAC West Coaches Preseason Poll after finishing fourth in the division a year ago with a 3-4 ledger. Gannon posted a 2-9 record a year ago and was picked to finish sixth in the PSAC West.
  • Edinboro relies on a defense that showcases a talented secondary, despite losing All-Amercan Zuril Hendrick at cornerback. The Fighting Scots, under defensive coordinator Colin Neely, led the PSAC and ranked fifth in Division II in interceptions with 19, along with ranking first in the conference and fourth nationally in turnovers gained. Edinboro led Division II in tackles for losses and ranked third in the PSAC and 21st nationally in sacks.
  • The Fighting Scots return 27 lettermen, including 14 starters -- five on offense, seven on defense, and two special teams specialists.           
  • Edinboro must replace three players who left an indelible mark on the record books. Running back Walter Fletcher, the 2018 PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year, had back-to-back 1,500-yard plus seasons rushing and moved up to third in career rushing in his first three seasons with 3,913 yards and 41 TDs. He decided to transfer to Division I Ball State for his final season. Wide receiver James Clark set the school record for career receptions with 209, while cornerback Zuril Hendrick broke the career record for interceptions with 21.  
  • Seven players earned All-PSAC West accolades in 2018, with two returning. Strong safety Brandon Anderson was named to the All-PSAC West first team for the second straight year after leading team in tackles for the second straight season with 101. Ta'Nauz Gregory was first team All-PSAC West selection at wide receiver and is now a two-time All-PSAC West performer, along with being named the 2016 PSAC West Freshman of the Year. He caught 50 passes for 796 yards and a league-high 10 TDs.
  • After opening the 2019 campaign in Michigan at Grand Valley State, the Bloomsburg game marked the first of ten straight games in Pennsylvania against PSAC teams to wrap up the season.    

NEXT FOR THE FIGHTING SCOTS 
Saturday, October 12 vs. Mercyhurst -- 2:00 p.m. -- HOMECOMING
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Players Mentioned

James Clark

#1 James Clark

WR
6' 1"
Senior
Walter Fletcher

#5 Walter Fletcher

RB
5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
Kyle Galyk

#35 Kyle Galyk

RB
5' 9"
Senior
Zuril Hendrick

#21 Zuril Hendrick

CB
6' 1"
Senior
Brandon Anderson

#9 Brandon Anderson

SS
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Andre Dowdell Jr.

#18 Andre Dowdell Jr.

WR
5' 8"
Redshirt Senior
Ta

#2 Ta'Nauz Gregory

WR
5' 8"
Senior
Jake Monroe

#94 Jake Monroe

PK/P
5' 9"
Sophomore
Andrew Tomko

#7 Andrew Tomko

QB
6' 5"
Redshirt Junior
A.J. Turner

#81 A.J. Turner

TE
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
Jordan Castelli

#12 Jordan Castelli

QB
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

James Clark

#1 James Clark

6' 1"
Senior
WR
Walter Fletcher

#5 Walter Fletcher

5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
RB
Kyle Galyk

#35 Kyle Galyk

5' 9"
Senior
RB
Zuril Hendrick

#21 Zuril Hendrick

6' 1"
Senior
CB
Brandon Anderson

#9 Brandon Anderson

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
SS
Andre Dowdell Jr.

#18 Andre Dowdell Jr.

5' 8"
Redshirt Senior
WR
Ta

#2 Ta'Nauz Gregory

5' 8"
Senior
WR
Jake Monroe

#94 Jake Monroe

5' 9"
Sophomore
PK/P
Andrew Tomko

#7 Andrew Tomko

6' 5"
Redshirt Junior
QB
A.J. Turner

#81 A.J. Turner

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
TE
Jordan Castelli

#12 Jordan Castelli

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
QB