Reading, Pa. (Sept. 30, 2022) - Alvernia University is set to return home tomorrow for a MAC football matchup against the Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley University.
The 1-2 Golden Wolves are coming off a bye week and a week three loss to Stevenson University. Lebanon Valley is 2-2 overall and 2-0 in MAC play. The Dutchmen are coming off a week four 24-19 win over Wilkes University.
Inside the Series:
This will be the fourth meeting between the Dutchmen and Golden Wolves. Alvernia has not yet defeated Lebanon Valley, with the Dutchmen taking the last meeting 31-10. Alvernia has only hosted Lebanon Valley once back in 2018 during Alvernia's inaugural season.
In last season's meeting, Lebanon Valley threw for just 22 yards, but the Dutchmen ran for over 300 yards.
Scouting the Golden Wolves:
Alvernia last played two weeks ago and fell to Stevenson by 40-18. The Golden Wolves trailed by just two points at the half before the Mustangs put up 20 unanswered in the second half.
Alvernia's offense is averaging 27.7 points per game while giving up an average of 44.7 points per game. The Golden Wolves average 5.7 yards per play and are averaging 372.3 of total offense over their first three games. The Golden Wolves have scored a total of 12 touchdowns this season and are one for two on field goal attempts.
Alvernia's defense is allowing nearly 45 points per game, and has averaged 1.6 takeaways per game - including four interceptions. Alvernia has a total of 16 tackles for a loss, including seven sacks for thirty yards.
Alvernia Keys to the Game:
Win the Turnover Battle: With remnants of Hurricane Ian likely to be a factor during the game on Saturday afternoon, Alvernia will need to limit its mistakes while forcing the Dutchmen to make some of their own. Alvernia had just one turnover against Oberlin in week three while forcing the Yeomen to give it up three times. In Alvernia's two losses, the Golden Wolves turned the ball over four times while only forcing one turnover.
Keep the Offense on the Field: Alvernia is currently ranked 10th out of 11 teams in the MAC in time of possession. The Golden Wolves are averaging just 26:16 minutes of possession a game to Lebanon Valley's nearly 32 minutes per game.
Win Up Front: On both sides of the ball, Alvernia's offensive and defensive lines will need to win in the trenches. The defensive line will need to limit Lebanon Valley's run game and get the Dutchmen off the field. Lebanon Valley has rushed for over 100 yards in three of its four games, leading to its heavy time of possession. Alvernia's offensive line will need to limit Dutchmen activity in the backfield. Lebanon Valley has 27 tackles for a loss of 145 yards, including ten sacks for 88 yards.
Golden Wolves to Watch:
EJ Lee - Running Back: Lee has found his stride since week one for the Golden Wolves. He is averaging 87.7 yards per game on the ground and 5.3 yards per carry. He has also been a target in the air for Alvernia, with 11 receptions for 128 yards. Overall, Lee is averaging over 130 yards of total offense a game.
Joseph Perkins - Wide Receiver: Perkins is leading Alvernia with a total of 9.14 catches per game and is averaging 42.7 yards receiving per game. He is one of four Alvernia receivers with over 125 receiving yards so far this season.
Tajon Whiten - Linebacker: Through the first three games of the season, Whiten is leading Alvernia's defensive efforts with 33 tackles. He is also second in the make with 11 tackles per game.
Antonio Lazar - Rover: Lazar, a running back turned rover, has been a workhorse on Alvernia's defense. Lazar is one of the first Golden Wolves to the ball and has 13 tackles on the season. He has one sack on the year and one interception.
Scouting the Dutchmen:
The Dutchmen are coming off a 24-19 win over Wilkes University during week four of the season. The game was closely contested all the way through, with Lebanon Valley forcing a turnover on downs with 1:36 to go to seal the win.
Lebanon Valley's 24 points against Wilkes was the most the Dutchmen have scored so far this season. They are averaging just 17 points per game; however, the Dutchmen defense only gives up an average 20 points per game.
The Dutchmen offense averages 4.4 points per play on offense and 302 yards of offense per game. The Dutchmen have scored just nine touchdowns over four games and have scored two field goals.
Lebanon Valley's offensive line earned d3football.com offensive line of the week honors for the past two weeks as the Dutchmen have controlled the line of scrimmage. Lebanon Valley possessed the ball for 40:11 against Wilkes last week, and rushed for a season-high 189 yards.
The Dutchmen defense have six interceptions on the year along with nine pass breakups. They have forced four fumbles, but have not recovered any.
Dutchmen to Watch:
Braden Bohannon - Quarterback: The sophomore QB is also Lebanon Valley's leading rusher. Bohannon was behind center for the Dutchmen against Alvernia in 2021 where he threw for just two completions, but rushed for 85 yards. So far this season, Bohannon has thrown for an average of 161 yards per game and has rushed for an average of 72 yards per game.
Tim Ervey - Running Back: Behind Bohannon, Ervey is Lebanon Valley's second leading rusher. He is averaging 31.25 yards per game. In the matchup with Alvernia last season, Ervey ran for 178 yards and three touchdowns.
Ryan Enright - Linebacker: Enright is Lebanon Valley's leading tackler through four games. He has 24 tackles with four tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He also has one interception and one forced fumble on the year.
Game Information:
Kickoff is set for 1:30 PM at Alvernia Turf Field. Tickets will be available for purchase at the large white tent over the Campus Commons Patio. Students are $4 and adults are $6. Live options online are available at auwolves.com/live
