Edinboro, Pa. -- The Edinboro football team makes their home debut in 2023 playing host to the No. 14 Shepherd Rams Saturday at noon inside Sox Harrison Stadium.

The Series
This is the fifth overall meeting between the Scots and the Rams and the second since Shepherd has joined the PSAC. The Rams currently hold a 3-1 advantage.
Last Edinboro Win: Sept. 1, 1990, 48-6
Last Shepherd Win: Sept. 10, 2022, 41-7
Largest Margin of Victory Edinboro: Sept. 1, 1990, 48-6
Largest Margin of Victory Shepherd: Sept. 10, 2022, 41-7

Last Time Out
The Scots dropped a 49-7 decision to FCS Duquesne. Edinboro's offense had a tough time against the Dukes turning the ball over five times. Aaron Hopkins scored the lone touchdown for Edinboro hauling in a 21-yard pass from Matt Carlisle with 3:30 left in the third quarter. Hopkins finished with three catches for 37 yards. Brian Trobel was the leading rusher with 31 yards on nine carries.

Shepherd used a five-play 61 yard drive capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Seth Morgan to Dustin Fisher with 23 seconds to play to win 27-26 over Southern Connecticut State. Morgan threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns. Malakai Brown was the leading rusher with 94 yards and a score. Miles Greer added an 86-yard punt return touchdown. JT Kouame-Yao was the Rams leading tackler with 12 stops, two for a loss. 

Returning Experience
The Scots bring back a wealth of experience with 17 of 22 starters returning from a season ago as well as continuity in special teams. 

Thaddeus Standfield returns for the Scots after earning second-team All-PSAC honors as both a wide receiver and kick returner. He finished 2022 ranked 35th in all-purpose yards with an average of 123.9 per contest. His 71.8 yards per game receiving was the seventh best mark in the PSAC and 44th in Division II. He produced 117.0 all-purpose yards against Duquesne in Week 1.

Edinboro also returns their three leading tacklers from a season ago led by second-team All-PSAC linebacker Clay Cunningham. Cunningham finished the season with 125 tackles, and ranked fourth in the nation at 11.4 stops per game. Malcolm Johnson and Wilfredo Diaz were Top 15 tacklers in the PSAC. Johnson averaged 7.8 while Diaz recorded 7.7 per outing.

Hidden Yardage
Punter Reed Martin was the American Football Coaches Association First-Team All-American punter. His 42.8 yards per punt ranked ninth in D-II  Along with the Scot coverage team they ranked seventh nationally in net punting at 40.31 yards per punt. Martin tallied nine punts of over 50 yards and had 20 of his 53 punts end up inside the 20. In the opener Martin punted six times averaging 41.7 yards per punt with two over 50 yards and three balls downed inside the 20. Only one of Martin's six punts was returned and that kick was covered well as the return went for -1 yard.

The Turnover Battle
The Scots will look to do a better job protecting the football in 2023. Edinboro committed 32 turnovers in 2022 with 20 interceptions and 12 lost fumbles. Opponents turned those 32 turnovers into 81 points.
The Edinboro defense took the ball away from opponents 21 times in the 2022 season. Recording 13 interceptions and recovering eight fumbles. Wilfredo Diaz converted four of those turnovers with one interception and three fumble recoveries. 

Tackles for Loss
The Scot defense ranked 40th in the nation in tackles for loss averaging 7.1 per contest a season ago. Clay Cunningham led the way with 1.2 takcles for loss per game followed by Malcolm Johnson at 1.0. 
In the PSAC West Preseason Coaches' Poll the Fighting Scots were selected fifth even with their final spot in the 2022 season standings. 

New Faces
Despite their experience, the offense saw key contributions from newcomers in running back Brian Trobel and quarterback Matt Carlisle. Carlisle threw for 76 yards and a score and rushed for 25 yards despite being sacked four times. Trobel carried the rock nine times for 31 yards breaking off a long of 23.

Against Ranked Teams
Shepherd carries a No. 14 ranking to Saturday's contest. One of three teams that are currently ranked on the Fighting Scots schedule. The Scots are 1-4 against ranked teams under head coach Jake Nulph.

The Jake Nulph Show
Below is the second week of the Jake Nulph show. You can catch the show live Monday's at 7 p.m. at Charlie's Pub & Eatery or by checking in on the Edinboro Athletic Youtube Page This week's student-athlete guest was Aaron Hopkins.