Reading, Pa. (September 25, 2026) - Alvernia University (1-2, 1-1) heads into the weekend eyeballing a matchup with MAC foe Lebanon Valley College (0-3, 0-2) on what is forecasted to be a rainy Saturday afternoon at Alvernia.
The Golden Wolves come into the weekend after a thrilling 28-21 victory over King's College last weekend, which was the first victory over King's in program history and their first MAC victory since the 2024 season. LVC comes into Saturday after a 32-0 loss to reigning MAC champion Eastern.
Scouting the Golden Wolves:
Alvernia comes into the weekend with a 1-2 record and an even 1-1 record in the MAC after a 28-21 victory over King's College last Saturday. Even in the victory, the Golden Wolves showed their inexperience in the middle third of the game but when they needed to, the Golden Wolves stepped up in a big way both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Alvernia rattled off a season high 429 yards of total offense with 357 of that coming in the pass game. The Golden Wolves did allow 21 points, all of which came in the second half and allowed a season high 414 yards of offense. Look for the Alvernia defense to secure up its tackling and run defense against a LVC team that has struggled to run the ball in the first three games of the season.
Alvernia Keys to the Game:
Stop the Run:
Even in the victory last Saturday, the Golden Wolves still allowed 152 yards on the ground on 32 attempts at just under a five yard clip. King's 152 yards in the run game was more than the Golden Wolves allowed in the first two weeks of the season combined. If LVC looks to have success on the offensive side of the ball tomorrow, they will look to do so through the ground game at some point. If the Golden Wolves can limit the yards on the ground for the Dutchmen and force them to throw the ball on a rainy Saturday, Alvernia's defensive backs might prove to be game changers.
Limit the Penalties:
The Golden Wolves were penalized ten times for a total of 66 yards last weekend against King's and although the yardage did not stack up, they had a few penalties that came in crucial moments of the game. If the Golden Wolves want to come away tomorrow with a victory, they have got to limit the penalties and cannot afford to give the Dutchmen extra plays.
Find the Run Game:
Last week the Golden Wolves lit it up offensively through the air with first year quarterback Sawyer Esbenshade posting 357 yards passing and four touchdown passes. Alvernia will surely look to continue that offensive momentum through the air but with the forecast calling for rain tomorrow, Alvernia might need to find other ways to move the ball. The Golden Wolves are coming into this weekend after recording just 72 yards on the ground against King's. Yes, this is a result of the success they had in the passing game, but if the game gets sloppy because of the elements, look for the Golden Wolves to look to the ground game and lean on veteran backs like Adonis Dixon, Andrew Simmons and transfer back Keigan Barnes. The Golden Wolves also face off against a Dutchmen defense that has allowed 658 total rushing yards through three weeks including 245 last weekend in a loss to Eastern, you can bet that the Golden Wolves will look to control the clock in the run game Saturday.
Control the Passing Game:
Even with the expectation that Alvernia will attempt to reestablish its run game against the Dutchmen, you cannot look away from the fact that the Golden Wolves won last week's game through the air. Look for the Golden Wolves to continue that success on Saturday and you better expect Esbenshade to be looking Zakai Smullen's way after the duo linked up for three single game records last weekend. In a game that might favor the run game due to the rain, I wouldn't expect Alvernia to shy away from the pass game, especially after last weekend's performance.
Alvernia Players to Watch:
Adonis Akande
In a game where sophomore wide receiver Zakai Smullen went for 205 yards and three touchdowns, sophomore tight end Adonis Akande quietly put together a career game with 101 yards receiving on a team high ten receptions and one touchdown. With all eyes expected to be on Smullen, look for Esbenshade to look Akande's way in the flats and across the middle. Even if the duo connects on a short route Akande proved last week he can catch and run with the football and ripped off a 37 yard touchdown run that came on just a two yard pass from Esbenshade.
Zakai Smullen
I would be remiss if I did not mention Smullen as a player to watch for the Golden Wolves this week after his monster record breaking performance earned him MAC Offensive Player of the Week and also earned a spot on the D3Football Team of the Week. Smullen hauled in eight catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns in the victory over King's, including the game winning touchdown catch in the fourth quarter that put the Golden Wolves up 26-21 late in the game. Although you can expect the Dutchmen to cover Smullen up in the pass game this week, he has proven that he can still find ways to get open and Esbenshade will still find ways to get him the ball. In his 205 yard performance last week, Smullen recorded catches of 60 yards, 47 yards and 32 yards, proving that even when he breaks through the defense, he can consistently find open areas of the field and pockets for Esbenshade to get him the football.
LJ Aldas
Aldas, a sophomore linebacker, posted a breakout game last weekend against the Monarchs and recorded a team high 14 tackles. Aldas tallied seven solo tackles and seven assisted tackles en route to his 14 total and his 14 tackles in a game is the most in a game since the 2023 season. Aldas will be at the forefront of the Alvernia front seven that will look to halt the LVC run game and if you are in the stands tomorrow, expect to hear Aldas' number called numerous times.
Scouting the Dutchmen:
The Dutchmen head into the weekend after a 32-0 loss to Eastern and only recorded 132 yards of total offense in the loss. LVC is allowing 27 points per game to opponents in the first three games of the season and is allowing 370 yards of total offense on average through the first three weeks. If the Dutchmen look to have any success this weekend, they have got to limit the yards the Golden Wolves gain in the pass and run game. Lebanon Valley's offense has also struggled in the early part of the season and is only averaging 129 yards of total offense and is split down the middle in terms of rushing to passing yards per game.
Lebanon Valley Players to Watch:
Brandon Choi
Choi, a senior linebacker for the Dutchmen, leads the LVC defense in total tackles with 31 and also recorded a pick six in a close loss to Delaware Valley in week two. Choi will certainly be the heart of the Dutchmen defense tomorrow and look for him to be instrumental if the Dutchmen stifle the Alvernia offense.
J.D. McCallion
McCallion partners with Choi as linebackers and ranks third on the LVC defense in total tackles with 27. McCallion also recorded an interception in a loss to Delaware Valley, along with ten tackles and added six tackles last weekend against Eastern. Look for the partnership of Choi and McCallion to be at the forefront of the Dutchmen defense Saturday.
Deakon Schaeffer
Schaeffer leads the Dutchmen running backs in rushes with 26 attempts and has a total of 66 yards on the season. If the game turns to the ground game due to the weather, look for the Dutchmen to lean on Schaeffer as they'll attempt to find success in the run game against the Golden Wolves defense.
Game Information:
Kickoff for tomorrow is slated for 1:00 PM on Alvernia's Turf Field.
Tickets will be sold through HUDL tickets and can be found via the link at the top of the story and or on the Alvernia schedule page. There will be a cash option for tickets at the gate.
NOTE: All spectators that purchase tickets through the HUDL ticketing app must enter through the main ticket gate between the PEC and the Campus Commons.
Live options for the game are available here.
Alvernia's Billy Fisher and Ian Hendrix will be on the broadcast, which can be found on Alvernia's MACtv channel.
