Reading, Pa. (Oct. 14, 2022) - Alvernia University is back on the road this weekend as the Golden Wolves head to Chester, Pa. for a MAC Football matchup with Widener University on Saturday at 1:00 PM.

The 1-4 Golden Wolves are coming off a 35-14 loss to Wilkes University at home last Saturday, while the 1-4 Pride are coming off a 30-17 loss to FDU-Florham last weekend.

Both teams are 0-3 in MAC play and looking to pick up their first conference win of the season. Alvernia is 1-1 on the road, while Widener has yet to win at home this season. 

Inside the Series:
Alvernia is 0-3 against Widener, with the last matchup seeing Widener defeat Alvernia 37-7 at Alvernia. The Golden Wolves have only traveled to Widener once and it was back during Alvernia's first season in 2018.

In last season's matchup, Alvernia was held scoreless in the second half while Widener scored 17 unanswered to take the 37-7 win. Widener's quarterback Triston Harris and wide receiver James Gillespie, who have both graduated, connected nine times for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Harris went on to finish the game with 316 yards and accounted for all four of Widener's touchdowns. 

Scouting the Golden Wolves:
Alvernia is averaging 20.6 points a game and sits at 7th overall in the MAC in average scoring. The Alvernia offense is second in the MAC with 338.4 yards per game and the Golden Wolves are averaging 5.6 yards a play. Alvernia is averaging 202.4 yards in the air per game, and 136 yards on the ground per game. 

Alvernia's defense is allowing 40.2 points per game and is giving up an average of 433.8 yards per game. The Golden Wolves defense allows 188.2 yards per game on the ground and 245.6 yards per game in the air. Alvernia's opponents have gone for it 11 times on fourth down this season, and the Alvernia defense has allowed just four conversions. On third down, Alvernia is 24-for-59 on opponent conversions.

Alvernia Keys to the Game:
Establish the Run Game: Widener gives up over 190 yards on the ground per game and has given up 14 rushing touchdowns. Alvernia is currently averaging 136 yards rushing a game and rush the ball just over 30 times a game. Alvernia running back EJ Lee is averaging 85.6 yards on the ground per game and 5.2 yards a carry. With an established run game, Alvernia can control possession and keep the Widener offense off the field.

Play a Complete Game: Alvernia has yet to put together a complete game this season. While the Golden Wolves scored in every quarter against Oberlin, they let up 21 points in the final frame. While Alvernia is able to keep it close in the first half, being outscored by opponents 81-66, the Golden Wolves have been outscored 120-37 in the second half so far this season. Alvernia has found most of its success in the second quarter, outsourcing opponents 53-40.

Protect the Ball and Win the Turnover Battle: Both Widener and Alvernia have struggled with ball security. Widener has six interceptions on the year and has put the ball on the ground eight times. But, the Pride have only lost two of those eight fumbles. Alvernia has seven interceptions on the year with seven fumbles. But, the Golden Wolves have not gotten as lucky as the Pride, losing six of their seven fumbles.

Alvernia Players to Watch
EJ Lee - Running Back: EJ Lee continues to be a dynamic option for the Alvernia offense. He is averaging a second in the MAC 85.6 yards of rushing and 117 all-purpose yards a game. In addition to leading Alvernia's offense in rushing, Lee is also Alvernia's second-leading receiver with 17 receptions for 157 yards. He is averaging 31.4 receiving yards a game.

Dachan Thompson - Wide Receiver: Thompson has just six receptions on the year, but is averaging 17.6 yards a catch. At 6-4, Thompson is primed to be a mismatch for Widener's secondary. Two starting safeties for Widener are under six feet, while both of the corners are six foot even.

Taron Gale - Defensive Back: Gale has 23 tackles on the year with two interceptions. He also has two tackles for a loss of 12 yards. Gale has 14 solo tackles as well as two interceptions. 

Marc Kauffman - Linebacker: Like Gale, Kauffman has 23 tackles on the year. He has one quarterback hurry and two base breakups. Kauffman has ten solo tackles, 13 assisted, 1.5 tackles for a loss.

Scouting the Pride
Widener's only win this season came in week two with a 31-27 comeback win over Hampden-Sydney.  The Pride are averaging 111 yards of rushing per game and 209.8 yards of passing. However, last week in a loss to FDU-Florham Widener netted negative 25 yards rushing, but put up 308 yards in the air.

Widener is averaging 20.4 points per game, just .2 points less than Alvernia. The Pride defense allows 34.6 points per game and a MAC high 459.6 yards per game. They give up an average of 188.2 yards on the ground per game and allow 267.8 yards in the air.

Widener Players to Watch
Jeff Chaplin - Quarterback: The sophomore quarterback is averaging 172 yards a game. He has a 53% completion percentage with seven passing touchdowns. 

Shawn Thompson - Running Back: Thompson is Widener's primary rusher. He has 356 yards on 86 attempts and is averaging 71.2 yards a game. Thompson is Widener's only rusher to record a touchdown on the season, and has five total on the year.

Ty Holbert - Wide Receiver: While Widener spreads its passing game out among 14 targets so far this season, Holbert is leading the group with 185 total yards on the season with 12 receptions. He has three receiving touchdowns and averages 37 yards a game. 

Colin Murt - Linebacker:  Murt is the Pride's leading tackler with 35 tackles on the year. He has 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss. Murt has one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry.

Dom D'Alessio - Defensive End: D'Alessio is Widener's leading pass rusher. He has 4.5 tackles for a loss with two sacks. D'Alessio also has three blocked kicks on the year.

Game Information:
Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM at Elizabeth J. Hirschmann Field at Leslie C. Quick Jr. Stadium. Live options for the game are available at auwolves.com.