Iona Gaels (3-1) vs. Stonehill Skyhawks (3-0)
Saturday, September 29, 2007, 7 p.m.
W.B. Mason Stadium
Streakin' No Longer
Stonehill snapped a 10-game losing streak to C.W. Post with last Saturday's 12-7 win over the Pioneers.
Well, Maybe For Us
The 3-0 start is the longest winning streak for the Skyhawks since they put together a six-game stretch in 1996.
Insider Info
Off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1996, Stonehill plays host to Football Championship Subdivision (formerly D-1AA) Iona under the lights at W.B. Mason Stadium.
Series History
Iona holds a 2-0 lead in the series, having scored a 16-7 win over the Skyhawks in their last visit to Easton. In last year's matchup in New Rochelle, the Gaels earned a 24-7 win.
Looking For No. 2
Since W.B. Mason Stadium opened in 2005, Stonehill has never won more than one game in a season at home. The Skyhawks opened their home slate this year with a 23-0 win over Pace.
Endzone Access Denied
Stonehill is ranked second in the nation behind Tuskegee in scoring defense. The Skyhawks have yielded only three touchdowns so far in three games for an average of 7.0 points per game. The Golden Knights lead the nation with an average of 5.7 points per game.
On The Mark
Junior signal caller Cruz Parsons (Signal Hill, Calif.) ranks 14th in the nation and first among Northeast-10 passers in passer efficiency at 165.5.
On Target
Parsons has now gone 45 passes without throwing an interception. His only miscue occured on his ninth pass of the season.
Ball Security
The Skyhawks have only turned the ball over three times this season.
Plus/Minus
Football's version of the hockey statistic is turnover margin. Stonehill is +7, good for first in the Northeast-10 and a tie for third in the country with Angelo State.
DeBye Is Da Man
Senior linebacker Mike DeBye (Burlington, Mass.) was named Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Week after recording 15 tackles (12 solo) in the win over C.W. Post. He added a sack, a pass breakup and four tackles for loss.
One To Remember
To put Mike DeBye's performance against C.W. Post in perspective, his solo tackles total of 12 is the second most in the country in a game this year and his four tackles for loss are third most.
Six Degrees of Separation
The Skyhawks defense went six quarters with allowing a point before Josh Amaro's one-yard plunge in the third quarter of their win over C.W. Post.
One And Done
There were twelve games between Mike Plichta and J.J. Niamkey's (Quincy, Mass.) 100-yard receiving performance. David Pringle (West Haven, Conn.) didn't let any games go by before he cracked the century mark. Pringle grabbed five balls for 128 yards and a score in the win over C.W. Post, giving Stonehill back-to-back 100 yard receving performances.
Wide Open Attack
The Skyhawks have used the big play to get on the board and keep the chains moving. They have seven plays of 25 yards or more.
Scoring From Anywhere
Of the seven touchdowns scored this season by Stonehill, six have come from more than 10 yards, including a season-best 67 yard scoring play. Only Jeff Payne's (West Haven, Conn.) score (7) came from less than 10 yards out.
First Half Adjustment
The Skyhawks defense has yet to yield a point in the first 30 minutes in all three games, outscoring its opponents, 39-0.
Red-Zone Rebuff
Not only are the Skyhawks best in the Northeast-10 in 4th-down conversion defense, they rank No. 1 in the Conference in red zone defense, holding teams to 2-for-9 inside the 20-yard line.
Deane of Defense
Sophomore defensive lineman Kevin Deane (Brockton, Mass.) forced a fumble and made the recovery when C.W. Post penetrated the Skyhawk redzone in last week's contest. Deane added two tackles, including one for loss.
Cruz-ing Along
Cruz Parsons (522 yards) looks to be well on his way to passing for more than 1,000 yards, a feat that has only happened 10 times in 19 previous seasons. The last time a Stonehill quarterback threw for more than 1,000 yards was Brian Schidel (1,504) in 2002.
High-Five
Cruz Parsons has tossed five touchdowns this season and only one interception. Three of his scores have gone to J.J. Niamkey and the other two to David Pringle.