Gameday Week 11/19/2005 - NCAA Playoffs Round One Game #10 Wilkes

Profs Dump Colonels 42-3 Photo slideshow by Tom Wilson. 23 pictures - 69 seconds. By Tom Wilson JT@rowanfootball.com Play WGLS-FM audio highlights Rowan racked up 393 yards of offense while limiting Wilkes to 194 total yards. Joe Rankin threw 168 yards and one touchdown. Rankin also rushed for three touchdowns. Davon Edwards rushed for 107 yards on 27 carries. Ulysses Encarnacion added 40 yards rushing and one touchdown. "We needed another person to step up [at running back]. So I was happy to be able to contribute," Edwards said. When asked what attributed to his successful day he said, "The line, it's all about the o-line." "We have one of our best offensive players [Orihel] and one of our best defensive players out [Bond]. After that Willy P game there were questions whether we'd even make the playoffs. The challenge was set and we've responded. We made a little bit of a statement today," said Rankin. "I've got to be efficient and manage the game. We are 4-1 with me in there. The last few games I've been smarter with my decisions. I just have to play my role," Rankin concluded. The defense forced three interceptions including a NCAA record tying 100-yard return by cornerback Jabrill Joseph. Cornerback Jorge Fernandez and Todd Trout added an interception each. Rowan scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the first quarter. Edwards returned the kickoff to midfield. Encarnacion had 13 yards on two carries and wide receiver Sakeen Wright caught a 14-yard pass. Joe D'Imperio added an eight-yard run. Nadyr Albri six-yard run brought the ball to the one. Rankin then scored the touchdown on a 1-yard run at 11:44. The Profs scored again at 9:40 when Rankin found Sliva with a 13-yard strike. Todd Trout intercepted a pass which and returned it to the Wilkes 27. Encarnacion scored a two-year touchdown to cap Rowan's first quarter scoring. "Its more than just me and Sakeen, it's the inside guys, catching balls… the Stys brothers, Joe D'Imperio, Katcher and all those guys that makes things easier," said Silva the NJAC Offensive Player of the Year. The Profs added three more scores including a late 3rd quarter pick by Joseph than was returned 100 yards for a touchdown. "I worked hard all week with my defensive back coach (Ron Gibson), looking at the wide receiver's chest and hips. When he patted his feet, I patted mine and broke on the ball," said Joseph. "I knew I was going all the way. All I saw was green and 'Stork' Heimerl in front of me," explained Joseph. When asked about celebrating the touchdown he replied, "I thought about doing a little bow and arrow thing, but then I saw coach Accorsi face [in my head]… I want to live another week." Speed was a big difference in this game and it was clear the Colonels hadn't played a Rowan caliber team during the regular season. Next up, the Profs hit the road for round two and travel to Union on Saturday. Another must win battle on tap.

Wilkes Comes to Rowan for 1st Round Game By Tom Wilson JT@rowanfootball.com With the expansion of the playoffs to 32 teams, there aren't any more byes. Rowan as the third seed will host Wilkes the number six seed. This is the first time the two teams are playing each other. The Colonels (8-2) are making their second NCAA appearance. Their last appearance was in 1993. Quarterback Al Karaffa leads Wilkes with 157 completions on 278 attempts for 2,083 yards and 17 touchdowns. Tom Andreopoulus is the team's rushing leader with 833 yards and 7 touchdowns. Jim Jordan (49 receptions, 768 yards, and 5 touchdowns) and Bo Tkach (29 receptions, 403 yards, and 3 touchdowns) are the leading receivers. The Colonels like to utilize the tight end Matt Pizarro (29 receptions, 327 yards, and 3 touchdowns). Linebacker Kyle Follweiler heads the defense with 99 tackles (75 solo). Tyler Henninger is in the other linebacker spot with 87 tackles (64 solo). The one thing both the Profs and the Colonels have in common is that William Paterson beat both teams. In the first week of the season Wilkes lost to the Pioneers 21-17. Rowan was upset two weeks ago by WPU 20-19. Both teams average 29.6 points per game. Rowan averages 423.7 yards of total offense and 154.4 yards on the ground. Wilkes averages 358.2 yards of total offense and 148.4 yards on the ground. The Profs are the third ranked rushing defense in the nation allowing only 58.2 yards per game. Overall Rowan is the 10th ranked defense in the country. The key to the game is to stop the Colonels running game and force them into passing situations. I don't know if Wilkes uses a three-step drop at quarterback. If they've seen the Montclair game tape of Rowan coming after the MSU quarterback all day and sacking him 11 times, Wilkes may be trying to work a short passing attack. Joe Rankin and the offense needs to move the ball effectively. Last week the offense did not turnover the football. They found what worked and wore down the Red Hawk defense. Wilkes will be bringing their 'A' game. Can the Profs bring the same intensity at the Boro for the second week in a row? See you Saturday.