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THE GAME
The Bald Eagles kick off the 2003 season with a trip to Towson, Md., to face the Towson University Tigers (0-1) on Saturday, September 6. Kickoff at Minnegan Field in Johnny Unitas Stadium is slated for 7 p.m. The game can be heard locally on WBPZ-1230 AM and online at www.nsnsports.com. 

THE SERIES
This game will mark the first between the Bald Eagles and the Towson Tigers. In fact, it is the first time Lock Haven has matched up against any of the current Patriot League members.
It marks the 27th game versus a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent for the Tigers, who are 15-10-1 against the Keystone staters. Towson’s most recent match-up against a PSAC squad was a 36-31 win against Kutztown University in 1994.


SCOUTING TOWSON
The Towson Tigers receive the Bald Eagles at their home field carrying a 0-1 mark after a 19-16 loss on the road at Morgan State University. Towson is 39-16 on Minnegan Field under Coach Combs, and 17-10 against non-league opponents since joining the Patriot League in 1997. In home openers, the Tigers have won their past six and 10 of the last 11 Minnegan Field lid-lifters.

The Tigers returned a healthy group of starters to their lineup, including seven on offense and eight on defense. Senior offensive guard Jason Gunning earned a Pre-Season All-America nod from The Sports Network. Inside linebacker Neal Regan, strong safety P.D. Moore and punter Steve Bulcavage made the Patriot League’s pre-season first team list and running back Matt Romeo along with defensive linemen Steven Nance and Jason Troilo were second team picks.

Towson’s offense put up 224 yards against Morgan State, the majority of that figure revolving around the arm of junior quarterback Jason Amer. Amer threw for 178 yards on 10 completions including one touchdown pass. Senior Jason Galloway and junior James Byroads both registered four receptions from Amer on the game. Galloway was second on the 2002 receiving charts and the top returning receiver after posting 31 catches for 456 yards and three touchdowns. 

Junior tailback Mikal Lundy was responsible for both of Towson’s touchdowns last Saturday, scoring first on a 36-yard pass from Amer then on a 17-yard run into the endzone. Lundy took the ball on 26 of 42 rushing plays versus Morgan State, posting 93 yards including the fourth-quarter touchdown run. Another key player in the ground game is Matt Romeo, who had nine touchdowns and 990 yards in 2002 and took the ball for six carries and 20 yards last weekend. 

Defensively, the Tigers gave up 82 yards via the pass, which included four sacks, and 198 yards on the run against Morgan State. Strong safety P.D. Moore came up with a team high of 10 tackles including one sack to pace the Tigers’ efforts. Free safety Brian Fitzpatrick had seven tackles, including two for loss, and one interception that he returned 32 yards before the Bears stopped him. Linebacker Neal Regan added nine stops and one sack and defensive back Tony Lumpkin also posted nine tackles. 

Towson turns to freshman Stephen Toth for field goals and point after kicks. Toth made his first field goal attempt of the year from 20 yards out and was 1-for-1 on extra point attempts versus Morgan State.

Fourth-year Head Coach Mark Luther will 
lead the 2003 Bald Eagles into battle 
against Towson on Sept. 6; 


Pre-season All-America picks Rob Carey
 (CB/RS) and Derrik Metz (LB) head up 
this year's Haven squad

THE COACHES

Lock Haven is led by fourth-year mentor Head Coach Mark Luther (Penn State, ‘92). The 2002 PSAC West Coach of the Year, Luther’s Bald Eagles went 4-7 last season -- the first four-win season since 1998.           He owns a 10-23 overall mark in three seasons at the helm of the Lock Haven gridders. Luther assumed the head role following five years of service as an LHU assistant from 1994-1998, acting as defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and administrative assistant to former head coach Nick Polk.

Towson Head Coach Gordy Combs (Towson, ‘72) is in his 12th year leading the Tigers. His 64-50 career coaching record is the most wins among active Patriot League coaches.       A former starting linebacker for Towson, Combs became Towson’s first full-time assistant and defensive coordinator in 1979 before assuming the reigns of the squad in 1992.

BALD EAGLE NOTES...


THE OFFENSE 
The debut of the 2003 offense will reveal a handful of recognizable players ready to raise the bar in productivity and effectiveness. Last year’s offense generated more total yardage in its passing game (1363 yds) than it was able to via the rush (999 yds), and with all of the key skill position players returning, the output of this season’s offense could take on a similar look.

Senior quarterback Tim Storino (Pittsburgh/Bethel Park) threw for 10 touchdowns in 2002, the most by any Haven signal caller since the 1999 season. He returns to the mix along with red-shirt freshman Troy Wile (Fayetteville/Chambersburg Area), who has climbed the depth chart in pre-season workouts and could see action this fall.

Three-time All-PSAC receiver Marcus Burkley (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) will again be the top target for either quarterback. Burkley, who is five touchdowns away from the LHU career receiving touchdowns mark, grabbed seven passes for scores and accumulated 558 receiving yards in 2002. Seniors Scott Anderson (Cortland, Ohio/Lakeview) and Adam Angelici (Bethel Park/Bethel Park) along with red-shirt frosh Rafael Smith (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) are all projected to be reliable options.

Two experienced tailbacks looking help out the offense are juniors Maurice Walker (North Braddock/Woodland Hills) and Justin Marshall (Luthersburg/DuBois). Walker was LHU’s top rusher for the second straight season in 2002, scoring five times while covering 536 yards. Marshall is the second-leading returner after scoring three touchdowns in 40 carries.

Halfbacks senior Josh Stadulis (Willow Grove/Academy of the New Church) and sophomore Travis Diehl (Williamsport/Williamsport) are expected to earn the start. Stadulis has been on the two-deep all three seasons, while Diehl played in seven games last season.

Returning tight end Kevin Scheidler (Millersburg/Millersburg Area) has shifted to a predicted starting role at right tackle, leaving the spot open for red-shirt freshman Jason Walther (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown). Walther is expected to compete for time with true freshman Nate Compton (Wellsboro/Wellsboro Area). 

Scheidler joins up with a relatively young offensive line. Senior Bill Cook (York/Central York) anchors the players in the trenches from the left guard slot, while junior Bob Koger (Coraopolis/Montour), who logged time in five games last season, will fill in next to him at left tackle. The Bald Eagles return their starting center in sophomore Jason Scott (Linden/Williamsport), while red-shirt freshman Steve Szoboscan (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown) should help out at right guard.

THE DEFENSE 
Two All-Americans in cornerback Rob Carey (North Braddock/Woodland Hills) and linebacker Derrik Metz (Roaring Spring/Central) return to pilot a defense that has all 11 starters returning and a talented list of reserve players at its disposal. 

Up front, senior Nathan Eck (Jersey Shore/Jersey Shore) returns at the right end spot. Eck led all 2002 Bald Eagle defenders with 14 tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks. Junior Jason Kasheta (Carbondale/Carbondale Area) joins Eck on the right side and junior Jarrod Hendricks (Rockton/DuBois Area) resumes his role on the line at left tackle. At left end, junior Dustin Shaffer (Mayport/Redbank Valley) rejoins the lineup. Back up help is expected from senior Devin O’Rourke (Montgomery/Montgomery), junior Warren Whitaker (Wilkes-Barre/GAR Memorial), sophomore Brian Johnson (St. Marys/St. Marys Area) and red-shirt freshman Brad Sones (Elysburg/Southern Columbia). 

Haven linebackers return in force led by All-American middle linebacker Derrik Metz. Metz was the first Bald Eagle to post a 100-tackle season since 1995, finishing second in the PSAC with 118 stops. He ranked sixth in the nation in solo tackles (75) and 15th overall in total tackles. Outside linebackers Dan Wissinger (Johnstown/Ferndale Area), a senior, and sophomore Jon Nalewak (Shamokin/Shamokin Area) return to lineup. Reserves projected to see field time include juniors Charles Cannon (Braddock Hills/Woodland Hills), Brian Lumpkin (Rockville, Md./Bullis School) and Dan Jones (Philipsburg/Philipsburg-Osceola). 

The Haven secondary will be anchored by fourth-year standout Rob Carey, a three-time All-PSAC pick and D2Football.com Honorable Mention All-American at cornerback. Sophomore Ngoyi Mukusa (Jim Thorpe/Jim Thorpe) returns at the opposite corner. 

A pair of sophomores will return to hold down the starting free and strong safety positions. John Scullin (Boiling Springs/Boiling Springs), an All-Northeast Region Freshman Team selection (D2Football.com), returns at free safety while Winston Alspaugh (Carlisle/Boiling Springs) returns at strong safety. 

SPECIAL TEAMS 
Rob Carey is a three-time first team All-PSAC West pick at return specialist and a pre-season Football Gazette All-American selection. He led the PSAC and was 10th in the NCAA with a 15.8-yard punt return average including two for touchdowns. He was sixth in the conference with a 22.6-yard kickoff return average. Marcus Burkley will also be back deep for kickoff returns.

For the second straight year, a fresh crop of kickers will be called to duty. Freshman Dan Hagerman (Scottdale/Southmoreland) is slated to assume kickoff and placekicking responsibilities, while another rookie, Jack Kephart (Houtzdale/Moshannon Valley) could take over punting duties. Red-shirt freshman Jonathan Fleming (Ridgway/Ridgway Area) will serve as back up kicker while Hagerman is the reserve punter.

###LHU###