BLOOMSBURG (0-0, 0-0 PSAC East) vs STONEHILL (0-0, 0-0 NE-10)
Saturday, September 2, 2017 (12:00 PM)
Danny Hale Field at Robert B. Redman Stadium - Bloomsburg, Pa.

GAME NOTES
Bloomsburg Game Notes

GAME COVERAGE
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RELATED LINKS
Bloomsburg - Schedule | Roster | Statistics (2016)
Stonehill - Schedule | Roster | Statistics (2016)

SERIES HISTORY
Bloomsburg leads the all-time series, 4-1
Streak: Bloomsburg 1W

Last Meeting: September 2, 2016 at Stonehill (Bloomsburg 24, Stonehill 20)
First Meeting: September 2, 2013 at Bloomsburg (Bloomsburg 41, Stonehill 13)
Largest Bloomsburg Win: September 2, 2013 at Bloomsburg (41-13)
Largest Stonehill Win: September 5, 2015 at Bloomsburg (27-10)

OUTLOOK
Despite an 18th consecutive winning season in 2016, the year seemed like a bit of a disappointment for the team and the coaching staff.

"One of the things we have realized a long time here is that there is a fine line between winning and losing," said head coach Paul Darragh, who enters his fifth season as the head coach and sports an overall record of 34-13. "Sure, we had a winning season last year, but it wasn't quite what our expectations were."

"Our emphasis since the IUP game last year was to make sure we take care of the little things because that's what really ends up getting a team over the hump in those close games. We came out of the season and into the spring with a renewed sense of taking care of the little things and having a great work ethic. Hopefully, it will carry over into the fall and help us win those games that we have been able to win in the past."

QUARTERBACKS
Although redshirt senior Chris Palubinsky (Ringtown, Pa./Shenandoah Valley) (seven starts) and redshirt junior Duffy Gilhool (Upper Chichester, Pa./Chichester) (four starts) both saw plenty of action last season, the Huskies enter training camp with an open competition under center. Both showed flashes of brilliance last season but both also showed some inexperience as the duo combined to throw only seven touchdown passes (against 11 interceptions) – second-fewest in the PSAC – in 2016. But the duo, along with redshirt freshman Erik Benjamin (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township), provide Darragh with plenty of positives and intrigue for the 2017 season.

"Chris brings experience (four years in the system) to the table and has a very strong arm and a really good handle on the offense," said Darragh. "Duffy, on the other hand, can make plays with his legs as well – he's a little more dynamic in that regard. Erik can do some of both – he has a strong arm and can run – and is getting a better handle on the system."

Palubinsky completed 85-of-169 passes for 1,317 yards and four touchdowns (five interceptions) in eight games while Gilhool was 55-of-106 for 672 yards and three touchdowns (six interceptions) in six contests. Gilhool did finish third on the team in rushing with 123 yards and another score.

"Our hope is that the competition will help all three of them raise their level of play," added Darragh. "We'll make the decision after our big scrimmage in camp and hopefully, by then, someone has clearly separated himself from the others."

RUNNING BACKS
The Huskies have traditionally had a potent rushing attack as the team has had a 1,000-yard rusher in seven consecutive seasons and in 13 of the last 14 years. Last season, Lawrence Elliott, Jr. kept the streak intact as he posted a strong final game at IUP to finish with 1,014 yards on the ground. However, Elliott, Jr., who finished his career tenth on the school's all-time list with 2,613 rushing yards, has departed and the team must now turn to a quartet of backs who have combined for 393 yards in their Bloomsburg careers.

The leader of the pack may be redshirt sophomore Alex Gooden (Parkesburg, Pa./Octorara) who rushed for 278 yards (6.9 yards per carry) as a freshman but missed all of last season due to an injury. But, like at the quarterback position, expect an open competition for the starting nod during training camp.

"Alex had a strong spring and really showed flashes of returning to form when he was a freshman," Darragh said. "Coming out of spring, he certainly was as consistent as anyone and he will be in the mix."

Expected to join Gooden in the battle for the starting role will be redshirt sophomores Qmac Quiteh (Tobyhanna, Pa./Pocono Mountain West) and Tre Green (West Chester, Pa./B. Reed Henderson). Quiteh, the younger brother of Bloomsburg's all-time leading rusher and 2013 Harlon Hill Award winner, Franklyn Quiteh, rushed for 99 yards and two scores on just 14 carries last season. "Qmac is becoming a bit like his brother," said Darragh. "He runs a lot stronger than what people think. He breaks the first tackle and has great vision in the tackle box. He may not have the breakaway speed, but he has tremendous vision inside the tackles that really helps him get yards when it looks like nothing is there."

Green, who had just four carries last season, has shown an ability to both run and catch out of the backfield. "Tre has great vision and continues to get better and better the more he plays," said Darragh.

"The idea, for us, is to have a starter but we've always had another guy – last year it was Joe Parsnik (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Coughlin) – who would come in and play almost as much," said Darragh. "You have to have depth and durability and with our four guys, we feel we have a great stable of running backs."

FULLBACKS
Redshirt senior Eric McCracken (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) has developed into one of the best fullbacks in the conference and, again, will be the starter entering the opener against Stonehill. "To have a guy like Eric, who has really established himself as one of the best fullbacks in the country – even though there aren't many fullbacks left in the game – makes us feel good about this position. He's one of the best we've had in a long time but we have to keep him healthy."

McCracken was named a Don Hansen All-Super Region One Second Team selection last season. He posted his best season, statistically, as he rushed for 46 yards and added another 70 yards - on four catches - out of the backfield.

Depth will be provided by redshirt sophomore Alexander Arcangeli (Bensalem, Pa./Archbishop Wood), who showed that he can not only block but can carry the ball with effectiveness. "Alex is a great changeup," added Darragh. "He is more athletic as he can also play in one-back situations for us."

Arcangeli carried the ball only 14 times last season but finished with 103 yards (7.4 yards per carry) and a touchdown. He also caught a pass for 20 yards.

Jack Gaugler (Mount Pleasant Mills, Pa./Selinsgrove), who redshirted last season, and Ben Cerney (Lewisburg, Pa./Montoursville), who joined the team in the spring, are expected to provide even more depth. "We definitely created depth in the spring with Jack and Ben," said Darragh. "It's important because it's such a physical position."

OFFENSIVE LINE
Redshirt senior Shawn Secola (Glen Rock, Pa./South Western) and redshirt junior Travis Krall (New Columbia, Pa./Milton Area) are the only true returning veterans as the duo combined for 21 starts on the offensive line last season. However, the line features a number of other players who have seen action in the past which leads Darragh to believe this will be a solid group.

"We may not have the numbers we have had in the past," explained Darragh. "We definitely need to stay healthy, but, we like who we have. In years past, if we had eight linemen that can play and can play multiple positions, that has been a good number for us. In our group this year, we'll find those guys that can play on Saturdays."

In addition to Secola and Krall, who are both expected to earn starting roles, Darragh liked what he saw from redshirt sophomore Seth Jonassen (Schwenksville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) during the spring. "Seth had a great spring and we feel he has solidified himself as the anchor at the center position."

Redshirt juniors Chris Dunford (Colonial Heights, Va./Thomas Dale) and Josh Tripp (Catawissa, Pa./Southern Columbia), along with redshirt freshman Shawn Page II, are expected to battle for a starting role at a guard position. Redshirt junior Blake Remensnyder (Lewisburg, Pa./Danville) and redshirt senior Nick Pellechia (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock South), who is moving back to the offense after a year on the defensive line, are also in the mix for starting roles or, at least, significant playing time.

"Other than Travis (Krall) and Shawn (Secola), our other guys have played some, but not significantly. Now is the time for them to step up. We'll have some battling going on during camp but we need that - and we'll need the depth anyway. Hopefully, things will be cleared up once we ge ready to play Stonehill."

WIDE RECEIVERS
The roster loses a solid go-to receiver in Chad Hoffman (Drums, Pa./Hazleton), but he will be staying with the program and will serve as a receivers coach in the fall. But, excitement surrounds the receiving corps as the Huskies developed a strong dynamic duo last season in redshirt sophomore Michael Allen (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley) and sophomore Ethan Price (Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh) who will both be looked upon for bigger things in 2017.

"Michael and Ethan are definitely talented," said Darragh. "We are going to have to find ways to get them the football other than just pushing the ball vertically down the field. Ethan is bigger and more physical and Michael is more of the playmaker, but they both have big-play capability. We need to exploit that even more so this season."

Allen was an All-PSAC East Second Team selection last season after hauling in 29 catches for 464 yards and a score. He also led the Huskies with 262 kickoff return yards. Meanwhile, Price caught 17 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team in yards per catch (18.2) as a true freshman last season.

Darragh will also be looking to redshirt sophomores Jay Popson (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) and Doug Strang (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) as well as sophomore Kieron Smethers (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro Area) to provide some assistance at the position. Popson and Smethers combined for three catches last season while Strang missed all of 2016 but caught nine passes for 157 yards as a rookie in 2015.

"Jay had a great spring and he solidified the fact that he needs to be on the field on Saturdays," Darragh said. "Kieron has some good size to him and can pose a matchup problem and Doug is back in the mix after missing last season. He played as a true freshman and we'll be looking to him for some more depth."

"We don't have a lot of depth, but if those guys stay healthy, it's a good receiving corps and a group that can certainly help us win."

TIGHT ENDS
All signs point to redshirt senior Aaron Allison (Philadelphia, Pa./Frankford) having a big year in 2017 and the tight end position starts, and ends, with him.

"We have to hang our hat on Aaron," explained Darragh. "We don't have a lot of depth. We have some young guys that can come in and spell him, but Aaron is going to have to carry a lot of the load. He can be a good one and, if we utilize him like we should, he can be an All-Conference player for us."

Allison caught 13 passes for 191 yards last season and has hauled in 37 passes and five touchdowns in his collegiate career.

"He can be as good a tight end as we have had in a while. We need to utilize his ability to catch the football more this season."

Expected to be in the mix to back up Allison are redshirt junior Carson Venne (York, Pa./Central York) and redshirt freshman Kevin Vitti (Albrightsville, Pa./Jim Thorpe).

DEFENSIVE LINE
"If we stay healthy - and that didn't happen last season at this position - this is certainly a position of strength for us," said Darragh of his 2017 defensive line unit. "It's a great group of guys who have played significantly in the past and who have made a number of plays for us."

The Huskies' defense recorded 25 sacks last season and exactly half of those - a PSAC-leading 12.5 - came from redshirt junior Chris Gary (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Wood) who will be looked upon for even bigger things in 2017. Gary was a Don Hansen Second Team All-American last season and was named a preseason Second Team All-American from Lindy's Sports heading into this year.

"Chris has an explosive nature that makes him very tough to block," said Darragh. "When we moved him from linebacker to defensive end, we saw his quickness, his leverage, his explosiveness, and his strength. It was just a matter of lining up right and playing the position. We're expecting another big year from him."

Gary finished one sack away from tying the school record of 13.5 set by Larry Webster in 2012 despite not starting a single game last season.

At the other end position, redshirt seniors Scott Beltz (Pen Argyl, Pa./Pen Argyl) and Marquez Norford (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) are expected to provide the stability there. "They are two very established players who can even move inside on passing situations."

The biggest addition for the Huskies may be at the tackle positions where redshirt senior Ezra Ranco (Trappe, Pa./Perkiomen Valley) and redshirt junior Jake Klinger (Berwick, Pa./Central Columbia) return from season-ending injuries a year ago. The duo combined to play in only five games last season. Ranco was an All-PSAC Second Team honoree in 2015.

"They've certainly experienced varying degrees of health issues," said Darragh on the return of Ranco and Klinger. "But, they have a lot of talent and strength and have proven they can play at a high level."

Expected to provide even more stability on the defensive line are redshirt senior Tony Le (Larksville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) and redshirt freshman Jelil Norman (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville).

LINEBACKERS
As strong as the defensive line unit could be, the linebacking corps appears to be the biggest question mark on the defensive side of the ball in 2017. The Huskies lose All-PSAC First Team honoree Andrew Harris (Bethlehem, Pa./Whitehall) from last season and will not have the services of Frank Aigeldinger (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) who has decided not to return due to personal reasons.

"This is THE position we have to stay healthy," said Darragh. "We don't have a lot of depth and we don't have a lot of experience. One of the things we may do because of our personnel - we do it a lot anyway - is go to a defensive grouping with only two linebackers on the field more often. Usually we go into a season with four or five linebackers that we feel good about playing on Saturday. I think we have to find three more to get to that number in the 23 practices before Stonehill."

Expected to lead the group are redshirt junior Nate Monroe (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) and redshirt sophomore Alex Annan (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg). "Nate and Alex have played in the past and have played well. We are comfortable with those two guys." The duo combined for 74 tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss last season.

Expected to be in the mix for significant playing time are redshirt junior Wesley Splain (Stafford, Va./Brooke Point) and redshirt freshmen Shane Mulhern (Wallingford, Pa./Strath Haven) and Nathaniel Webb (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley). Only Splain (one game) has appeared in a game at the collegiate level.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
The secondary turned into a position of strength in 2016 and more will be expected this season. "We have a group of guys who have proven they can make plays," explained Darragh.

At cornerback, the Huskies have a duo - redshirt juniors Dexter Jordan (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) and Marquis Seamon (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) - who turned into shutdown corners in 2016. Jordan led the team, and finished tied for third in the PSAC, with five interceptions while Seamon led the squad with seven pass breakups to go along with two picks. Sophomore Trevon Brown also saw significant action as a rookie a year ago.

"These three guys are as good as we have had in a while," boasted Darragh. "We feel very good about the cornerback position."

Expected to help provide depth is Dexter Jordan (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser)'s younger brother, Koran Jordan (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser), who redshirted last season.

At safety, the Huskies return redshirt seniors Darnell Baldwin (Philadelphia, Pa./Lankenau) and Eric Schwartz (York, Pa./Central York) along with senior Osman Toure (Philadelphia, Pa./Academy Park). "These guys have played a lot and have a great handle of the defense. They get us lined up so it's important to have three veterans back there."

Schwartz and Baldwin posted career-highs in tackles last season with 32 and 28 respectively. Toure, in his first season with the Huskies, collected 31 tackles a season ago.
Redshirt junior Josh Salak (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) and redshirt sophomore Victor Delgado (Trenton, N.J./Pennsbury (Pa.)) will be in the rotation and should both see significant playing time in 2017.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Arguably, one of the biggest losses for the Huskies entering 2017 will be punter Will Wagner (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) who graduated in May. Wagner was a consistent performer at the position for four years and was an All-PSAC First Team selection in 2015.

Expected to replace Wagner is sophomore Kieron Smethers (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro Area). "Kieron is coming out of the spring as the starter," said Darragh. "He has a very strong leg and he's worked on getting the procedure down (snap, hold, and kick). It's good to have David (Carney) around - he's as good a long and short snapper as there is in the league. He sat out the spring but he's healthy again and ready to go."

Carney, a redshirt junior, will handle the snapping duties for the second consecutive year.

Placekicking duties will be handled by redshirt junior Ryan Abbott (Hagerstown, Md./Saint James School), who was 32-of-34 on extra points and 8-of-11 on field goals in his first full season a year ago.

"He's gotten better and better each year and coming out of spring, he was our best extra point and field goal guy," said Darragh.

In the return game, expect redshirt junior Dexter Jordan (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) to be in the mix on punt returns with a combination of redshirt junior Marquis Seamon (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge), redshirt sophomores Alex Gooden (Parkesburg, Pa./Octorara) and Michael Allen (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley), and redshirt freshman Koran Jordan (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) in the mix to handle kickoff returns.