BLOOMSBURG – Interceptions and takeaways are not easy to come by on the gridiron.  They require defenders to outthink and overpower the opposition.  The Bloomsburg University football team grabbed five interceptions and caused seven turnovers last week and will look to put on a similar performance in front of its home fans on Saturday.
 
The Huskies (1-0 overall) host Edinboro University on Saturday, Sept. 8 with kickoff set for 1 p.m.  It will be the first game at the newly-dedicated Danny  Hale Field at Robert B. Redman Stadium.
 
There will be free admission to the game for all fans, and will be part of the Huskies One Town, One Team: Flood Recovery Recognition Day.
 
The game will be broadcast live on WHLM (930-AM) based out of Bloomsburg with Jim Doyle and Andy Ulicny calling all of the action. In addition, listeners throughout the world can listen to and watch the game live on BU's website at www.buhuskies.com. The pre-game show will begin 30 minutes before kickoff.
 
The Fighting Scots lead the overall series with the Huskies, 6-2, that dates back to 1981.  The last time the two schools met in 2007, Edinboro won a wild 42-41 game on a game-winning touchdown and two-point conversion.
 
The BU defense caused a great deal of frustration for Stonehill last weekend.  Its aggressive play and preparation helped solidify the 44-28 season-opening victory.  With the win, Bloomsburg moved up to 19th in this week's American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 poll.
 
BU's five interceptions were the most since it picked off IUP five times in 2010.  Five different players brought down passes from the Skyhawk quarterback.  One of which was senior defensive back Dan Haverstock (York/West York), who knows that the success in the season opener was a complete team effort.
 
“I think the two most impacting factors were communication and preparation,” Haverstock said.  “Our coaches prepared us all week in order to be ready, and let us know that as long as we communicate with one another and work as a unit, we will be successful.”
 
Haverstock picked up a team-leading eight tackles in the victory, a career-high for the York native. 
 
Fellow defensive back DJ Robinson (Sinking Spring/Conrad Weiser) took his interception 28 yards for a touchdown.  He is one of two players in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with an interception return for a touchdown. The sophomore tallied a career-high seven tackles and is a formidable threat in the return game for the Huskies. 
 
Offensively, Bloomsburg dominated the running game by an eye-opening margin, 369-33.  It was the most rushing yards by a PSAC school last week.
 
Heading the charge in the BU attack was junior running back Franklyn Quiteh (Tobyhanna/Pocono Mountain West).  His 218-yard performance moved him into fourth-place on the BU all-time rushing list with 3,425.  He led all rushers in the PSAC and is second in Division II.  Quiteh looks to accomplish his next feat in the maroon and gold this weekend.  He is 161 yards away from moving into third-place on the all-time list and tying Mike Morrucci's mark set in 1979.  
 
Fellow junior running back Eddie Mateo (Bethlehem/Freedom) ran right through the heart of the Skyhawk defense last week on his way to a triple-digit performance on the ground.  He rushed for 114 yards on just 14 carries while hitting pay dirt twice.
 
Tim Kelly (Camp Hill/Cedar Cliff) was impressive in his first start at quarterback for the Huskies.  In becoming the first redshirt freshman to start under center since 2006 for Bloomsburg, Kelly threw for 197 yards on 16-for-26 passing with a touchdown.
 
Edinboro had the opening week off and will open its season on Saturday.  It went 7-4 last season after opening up to a 4-0 start.  EU returns junior quarterback Cody Harris who threw for 1,961 yards and 16 TD's last season.  Leading rusher Brian Davis had a team-high eight rushing touchdowns with 552 yards.
 
“Since they haven't played a game yet, we are preparing as if it were the first game of the season,” Haverstock said.  “Our plan will be similar to how we prepared for Stonehill, and there's no doubt in my mind we will be ready on Saturday.”
 
Saturday will also mark the first anniversary of the worst flood to hit Columbia County.  At halftime of Saturday's game, the Huskies will recognize the groups that participated in flood cleanup and ongoing recovery, including many of the Bloomsburg athletic teams.  BU President David Soltz, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, Bloomsburg Mayor Dan Knorr and Eileen Chapman of AGAPE are expected to attend. 
 
“It brought our team together in a way that most teams do not get to experience,” Haverstock said about helping the town after the flood.  “The people downtown expected nothing from us, but were sincerely grateful to have the help.  The one thing that impacted myself the most was the attitudes of the people who had seemed to have their lives washed away.  They were always hopeful for the best and were incredibly optimistic.  That to me was a big eye opener to what's really important.”
 
Next week, Bloomsburg opens its PSAC East schedule against Kutztown on Saturday, Sept. 15 at home.  Kickoff on Parent's Day is set for 2:30 P.M.  Edinboro will move into its Western Division slate by hosting California (PA).