American International Game Notes
Tickets (Available at the gate on game day)
Adults: $7
Senior/Student: $4
|
|
| Coach's Corner: Week 6 Preview with Robert Talley |
The Game: Stonehill College looks to get back on the winning track as it visits American International College for a Northeast-10 Conference matchup at Ronald J. Abdow Field tonight. The Skyhawks will look to bounce back from a tough 17-7 setback at rival Bentley University last Friday night, while the Yellow Jackets are in search of a fourth-straight win to maintain its position atop the NE-10 standings after rallying for a 27-23 victory at Assumption College last Saturday.
Media Info: American International is producing a video webcast via www.aicyellowjackets.tv, powerd by Pack Network, with a link also available through the Stonehill athletics website www.stonehillskyhawks.com. Seth Dussault and Eric Richardson have the call for the webcast. WSHL 91.3 FM will be broadcasting the game back to Easton with Craig Riotto and Tim Culverhouse calling the action for the radio broadcast.
Raise Talley's Tally: Fans can now vote for head coach Robert Talley for the NCAA Division II Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year program at coachoftheyear.com. The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award recognizes college football coaches who demonstrate Sportsmanship, Integrity, Responsibility and Excellence both on and off the field. Endorsed by the College Football Hall of Fame, the program awards one winning coach from each NCAA division (I-FBS, I-FCS, II, and III) with $50,000 to donate to a charity of their choice, a $20,000 grant to each school's alumni association, and the Coach of the Year trophy. Remember to #votetalley every day!
Against the Yellow Jackets: Tonight marks the 16th meeting all-time between these two programs. American International has won each of the previous 15 encounters, including a last-second 37-34 triumph in Easton, Mass., last season. The Yellow Jackets are 6-0 all-time against Stonehill at home, edging the Skyhawks 14-12 here at Abdow Field in 2010. Head Coach Robert Talley is 0-5 in his career against the Yellow Jackets.
They're Honored: Senior defensive back Jareed Gaines (Lumberton, N.J.) and Mickey Miela (Foothill Ranch, Calif.) were both named to the Northeast-10 Conference's weekly honor roll on Monday. Gaines led the Skyhawks with 12 tackles (five solo), including 1.5 for a loss of three yards at Bentley on Friday night. Miela collected an interception and fumble recovery to go with three tackles (two solo) at Bentley.
When September Ends: Stonehill has ended September with a winning record for the first time since head coach Robert Talley's first season in 1997 when the Skyhawks were 3-1, including a 3-0 mark in NE-10 play heading into the month of October.
Skyhawks Going National: Stonehill College and the Northeast-10 announced this summer that its October 18 game against defending NE-10 champion and preseason No. 13 University of New Haven will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff for the contest here at W.B. Mason Stadium is just after 8 p.m. It marks the football team's first national broadcast.
Get Your Tickets!: Stonehill has announced that it will be selling a limited number of advance tickets for its October 18 game against New Haven for $7.00 at its next home game on Saturday, October 13 vs, Merrimack. All tickets for the New Haven game will be $7.00 and must be paid for with cash only. Phone orders for tickets will not be available. Stonehill students will be admitted free of charge on game day with the first 1,000 students receiving a free commemorative t-shirt to wear at the game. Stonehill faculty and staff will also be admitted free and can obtain their ticket in advance October 8-12 in the athletic department from noon to 4 p.m. Faculty and staff can also purchase additional tickets at that time as well.
The Hall Calls: Stonehill will hold its 2012 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, October 12. This year's Hall of Fame Class includes former All-Conference offensive lineman Todd Dawson, '93, Dianna Chivakos, '05 (cross country/track & field), Joseph Kelly, '85 (baseball), former women's basketball coach Kelly Hart, longtime athletic administrator Cynthia MacDonald and former "Voice of Stonehill" John Murphy, '69.
Gaines |
Defensive Gaines: Senior defensive back Jareed Gaines (Lumberton, N.J.) leads the Northeast-10 with 56 tackles (13th nationally) and 33 solo stops (6th) this season. He also leads the NE-10 with two forced fumbles (21st) and six pass breakups.
Hey Mickey!: Senior defensive back Mickey Miela (Foothill Ranch, Calif.) intercepted his third pass of the season at Bentley last week, giving him nine for his career to move into a tie for sixth in program history with Jon Kilborn (2005-08). All three of his interceptions this season have come inside the Stonehill 25 yard line, including two inside the five in the Skyhawks week three win at Saint Anselm.
Turn 'Em Over: Stonehill enters tonight's game ranked seventh nationally in Division II for turnovers forced with a Northeast-10 leading 16 through the first half of the season. Stonehill has forced twice as many turnovers as its nearest NE-10 opponent, Merrimack (8). The Skyhawks rank sixth in Division II with a Conference-best ten interceptions and 28th with a Conference-high six fumble recoveries. Stonehill also leads the NE-10 in fourth down defense (20th nationally), holding opponents to 22.2% conversion (2-for-9) on fourth down this season.
Can't Make a Pass at These Two: Senior defensive backs Kevin Anderson (Topsfield, Mass.) and Mickey Miela (Foothill Ranch, Calif.) share the NE-10 lead with three interceptions this season, ranking 14th nationally for pickoffs. Anderson also ranks fourth nationally with a Conference-high eight total passes defended (5 BrUp/3 INT).
Break It Up!: Senior corner back Kevin Anderson (Topsfield, Mass.) has moved into second place all-time in Stonehill history with 29 career pass breakups - nine behind Tom O'Connell's (1999-2002) school record of 38.
In the Zone: Stonehill's defense ranks fifth nationally in Division II for Red Zone Defense holding its opposition to an NE-10 low 56-percent scoring rate inside its 20 yard line. In 18 opponent drives inside its red zone, the Skyhawks have allowed ten scores (50 points) on five touchdowns (four rushing) and five field goals.
Money Target: Sophomore wide receiver Nate Robitaille (Attleboro, Mass.) leads Stonehill with five touchdowns this season, having caught two touchdown passes in back-to-back wins over Saint Anselm and Assumption in weeks three and four. He ranks third among NE-10 leaders with five touchdown receptions, while ranking fifth in scoring with a team-best 30 points.
Getting Social: Fans and media members of Stonehill athletics now have two social media outlets to get updates on all 20 varsity programs. The department's Facebook page is www.facebook.com/stonehillskyhawks, and you can also follow @SkyhawkTalk on Twitter!
On Deck: Stonehill returns home next weekend to host Merrimack College for an NE-10 matchup for Senior Day on Saturday at noon. The Skyhawks will then face current #6 New Haven on Thursday, October 18, for the NCAA Division II Game of the Week, broadcast live on CBS College Sports at 8 p.m.
