Football | 8/8/2024 2:31:00 PM

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Bloomsburg football team was selected to finish eighth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division by the league's head coaches in the annual preseason poll on Thursday.
 
Last year's conference champion, Kutztown, was selected to win the East this year with six first-place votes, while Shepherd was selected second with one first places vote and East Stroudsburg grabbed a first place vote to finish third in the poll. West Chester came in fourth in the East and Lock Haven claimed the No. 5 spot. Millersville came in sixth ahead of Shippensburg at No. 7 with Bloomsburg rounding out the east at No. 8.
 
On the West, PSAC runner's up, Slippery Rock claimed the top spot with sixth first-place votes while California (PA) took the No. 2 spot. IUP had one first place vote to finish third and Gannon finished fourth in voting. Seton Hill is fifth in the poll just ahead of Edinboro at No. 6 and Clarion at No. 7.

KEY RETURNERS
 
The Huskies return a pair of all-PSAC players in senior linebacker Tom Goetz (Wenonah, N.J./Gateway Regional) and senior defensive lineman Giovanni Cancro (Pequannock, N.J./Pequannock Township). Cancro earned his first career postseason honor as a second-team defensive lineman. The Pequannock, N.J. native had a breakout year for the Huskies with 29 total tackles this year, including 15 solo stops. He had 5.0 tackles for a loss of 22 yards and broke up two passes. Cancro finished with one quarterback hurry and a blocked kick.
 
Goetz had an exceptional comeback season for the Huskies in 2023 after playing in just four games before a season-ending injuring in 2022. Goetz had a career-best 76 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (34 yards), and 4.5 sacks (23 yards). The Wenonah, N.J. native had a pair of interceptions and three pass breakups for the year. Both of his INTs came against Clarion – one that was recovered for a touchdown and the second to seal the win for the Huskies late in the fourth quarter. He led the team in tackles for loss and sacks.
 
The Bloomsburg offensive line returns a talented group of veterans that know how to protect their QB. The Huskies allowed the fewest sacks in the PSAC last year – giving up just 11 in 11 games for 76 yards. In conference play, teams had just 10 sacks against the Huskies in seven games. The run game ran for 122.5 yards on 359 carries and had 15 rushing touchdowns.
 
Bloomsburg returns eight of its top-10 tacklers for the 2024 season, including team-leader Ryan D'Ambra (Southampton, Pa./Archbishop Wood). The senior linebacker had 90 tackles in 2023, including 5.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He added four broken up passes and four quarterback hurries to his resume. For his career, D'Ambra has 160 tackles and six passes defended.
 
Ben Ries (Bloomsbury, N.J./Phillipsburg) returns to lead the Huskies' offense that will be under new OC, Tim Landis. Ries threw for 747 yards and went 68-125-3 with one touchdown last year in the final eight games of the season. He went 14-for-26 with 168 yards and 2 INTs in the Huskies 14-10 win over Shepherd. Ries also ran for 97 yards on the year on 47 attempts and had two touchdowns on the ground.

---

  TICKETS, TAILGATE, AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION
 
Ticket packages and tailgate passes – single-game and season options – are now on sale for the 2024 Huskies' football season.
 
Single-game ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students (5 and older) and senior citizens (62 and older). All Bloomsburg students receive free admission to each game with their valid student ID. Children under the age of five are also admitted free of charge. Season-ticket packages are also available: $55 for adults and $25 for students and senior citizens. To purchase advanced single-game tickets or season-ticket packages, please visit buhuskies.com/tickets. Tickets will also be sold at the gate before each home game during the regular season.
 
Meanwhile, the 2024 Husky Tailgate Zone passes are also on sale, and fans can click here to reserve their spot. A full-season pass, including a pair of season tickets, costs $250, with each game priced at $50. A full-season pass is $180 for students, with every contest marked at $30.
 
For additional information on tickets or the Husky Tailgate Zone, please contact Sarah Zbierski at 570-389-3907 or e-mail at szbierski@bloomu.edu. Tailgate Zone brochures can be returned by mail and checks should be made out to "CGA – HUSKY FUND". Checks addressed otherwise cannot be accepted.
 
Brochures and checks can be mailed to:
Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg
Nelson Field House
400 E 2^nd Street
Bloomsburg PA 17815
 
The Huskies boast a six-game home slate this season. Bloomsburg opens the 2024 campaign at home under the lights against Fairmont State on Thursday, September 5. Kick-off is slated for 6:00 p.m. at Redman Stadium. The Huskies remain at the friendly confines of Redman Stadium for a week-two match up with Seton Hill at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14.
 
Bloomsburg hits the road for the first time as the Huskies travel to Edinboro on September 21 before hosting West Chester on Saturday, September 28 at 2:00 p.m. The contest will serve as the Salute to Danny Hale and his impending induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Information on registration for the post-game celebration will be available soon.
 
After a trip to Kutztown on October 5, the Huskies host East Stroudsburg on October 12 for the annual Homecoming and Parents' & Supporters Weekend game. That weekend also serves as the Hall of Fame celebration. The Huskies take the quick trip to Lock Haven on October 19 before they wrap up the month of October at home against Shippensburg at 2:00 p.m. on October 26.
 
Bloomsburg kicks off the month of November at Shepherd before finishing the Huskies' home regular season slate on November 9 against Millersville at 2:00 p.m. Prior to the game, Bloomsburg will honor its football, cheerleading, and marching band seniors. The Huskies wrap up the regular season at Slippery Rock during PSAC Championship weekend on November 16. The opponent could change depending on the PSAC Championship game.

During the season, fans can follow the Huskies on the live stream provided by BUSN in partnership with the PSAC Digital Network and BlueFrame. Fans can tune into Jim Doyle and Andy Ulicny on 106.5 Bigfoot Country all season long.