2017 Rowan University Football Rowan University (0-0) vs. Widener University (0-0) Saturday, September 2 - 7 p.m. Coach Richard Wackar Stadium (Glassboro, NJ) Rowan Quick Facts The Game Location: Glassboro, NJ 08028 Rowan University opens the 2017 campaign versus Widener University in a Founded: 1923 non-conference game. Both teams look to improve on a 6-4 record from a year Enrollment: 18,000 ago. The Profs and Pride were selected fourth in their respective conference's Nickname: Profs Colors: Brown and Gold preseason coaches polls. Stadium: Coach Richard Wackar Stadium Capacity: 3,700 The Series Surface: Turf This is the fifth meeting between Rowan and Rowan-Widener Affiliation: NCAA Division III Widener. The Profs lead the series, 3-1 and Conference: New Jersey Athletic All-Time Series Results President: Dr. Ali Houshmand have won two in a row, including a 19-14 Alma Mater: University of Essex (UK) road win last season. 2007 41-0 W 2014 7-19 L Director of Athletics: Dan Gilmore 2015 24-10 W Alma Mater: Plymouth State College (‘74) Last Meeting - Rowan 19, Widener 2016 19-14 W Office Phone: 856-256-4686 14 (Sept. 3, 2016) Office Fax: 856-256-4916 Rowan scored 16 unanswered points in the On The Web second half to come from behind and defeat Widener, 19-14 in the 2016 season Rowan Athletics: www.rowanathletics.com opener. Rowan Athletics Twitter: @RowanAthletics Rowan University: www.rowan.edu Profs' quarterback Dante Pinckney completed 17 passes in 29 attempts for 265 yards and two scores. Wide receiver Jamel Smith caught eight passes for 90 Widener Athletics: www.widenerpride.com yards and returned two kicks for 56 yards. Wideout Zac Frantz had four recep- Widener Twitter: @WidenerPride Widener: www.widener.edu tions for 68 yards, while wide receiver Kevin Lenart recorded 71 yards on three catches. Running back Gawain Bragg ran the ball 15 times for 58 yards. NJAC: www.njacsports.com MAC: www.gomacsports.com Linebacker Ryan Brenner led the defense with eight tackles. Defensive backs NCAA: www.ncaasports.com Bobby Barbieri and Jared Sanchez each had six tackles and one interception. AFCA: www.afca.com Defensive linemen Chris Henchy and Kevin Stokes had one blocked kick apiece. Media Information Radio Broadcast: Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM For Widener, quarterback Alex Krivda threw for 255 yards (27-54) and one Internet Radio Broadcast: wgls.rowan.edu touchdown. Wide receiver Montrell Hicks-Taylor made six catches for 108 yards Live Stats: and one TD. He also ran the ball four times for 48 yards and one score. Running http://www.sidearmstats.com/rowan/football/ back Chris Randle had nine carries for 36 yards. Live Video: http://www.rowan.edu/it/live/sports/feed0.html Linebacker Steve Gozur recorded nine tackles, including three tackles for a loss (13 yards) and one sack (8 yards). Linebacker Jake Behornar, defensive back Kyle Athletic Communications Director: Sheila Stevenson Lowery and defensive lineman Casey Kerschner each had six tackles. Kershcher Email: [email protected] also had two tackles for a loss (25 yards). Assistant Director/Football: Rob Cunningham Email: [email protected] Accorsi Begins 16th Season Cell Phone: 609-464-0496 Head coach Jay Accorsi enters his 16th season at the helm and his 25th overall. Office Phone: 856-256-4252 He is the second longest tenured coach in program history behind Richard Multi-Media Specialist: Ryan Barrett Email: [email protected] Wackar (17). Accorsi also has the most wins (115) and most games coached Office Fax: 856-256-4433 (162). The Profs have had a record of .500 or better in all but one season under Press Box Phone: 856-256-4905 his watch. Mailing Address: 201 Mullica Hill Road Glassboro, NJ 08028 2017 Rowan Football Rowan Coaching Staff Accorsi In Season Openers Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator: Jay Accorsi The Profs are 11-4 in season openers under Coach Accorsi and 5-1 in season Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line/ openers at home. Run Game Coordinator: Tom Doddy Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/ Tight Ends: Pat Lancetta NJAC Championships Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers/ Rowan has won the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship 19 Strength and Conditioning: Cedric Dawkins times, 14 outright and five shared. The Profs captured the conference title in Video Coordinator/Wide Receivers: Justin Arabia 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1977, 1976, 1975 Football Operations Coordinator/ and 1974. Rowan shared the NJAC Championship in 2014, 2013, 2010, 1983 Defensive Line - Ends: Deon Henry and 1972. Kickers/Punters: Jim Cooper Quarterbacks: Leon Harris Defensive Intern/Defensive Backs: Kurt Kingett NCAA Tournament Running Backs: Tom Lake Since 1991, Rowan has made 16 appearances in the NCAA Championship John Green Fellowship/Asst. Linebackers: Tim Mickens Tournament. The Profs have a 31-16 mark in the national tournament. Rowan Assistant Defensive Line - Tackles: Mark Wechter has played in the championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, five times Offense/Quality Control: Lee Chappine Student Assistant/Film Coordinator: Joe Costadina (1999-98-96-95-93). In 2005, 2004, 2001, 1997 and 1992, Rowan reached the Student-Athlete Development: Jesse Eisenhart semifinals of the tournament. John Green Fellowship/Student Defensive Assistant: John Furmato Trends Under Accorsi Analytics Coordinator/Special Projects: Steve Tucker In 15 seasons under Accorsi, Rowan is 25-10 in non-conference games. The Widener Coaching Staff football team has posted a 62-14 overall mark at home and is 13-1 in non-con- Head Coach: Mike Kelly ference home games. The Profs' only loss in a home non-conference game was Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator: Bill Shuey against Widener in 2014. Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Manny Matsakis Offensive Line/Strength and Conditioning: Mike Barainyak Profs Traditionally Have Strong Start Defensive Line/Head JV Coach: Jason Henshaw In Accorsi's tenure, the Profs are 37-13 in games played during the month of Linebackers: Josh Rapp Receivers: Alex Krivda September. Rowan has only had a losing record twice in the month (2011 and Cornerbacks: Gary Vinciguerra 2014). Running Backs: Rob Cormier Specialists: Ken Andres Opening The Season Against The MAC Director of Analytics: Alex Oxner This will be the ninth straight season that Rowan has played a team from the Operations/Video Coordinator: Matt Blankenstein Middle Athletic Conference (MAC) to start the campaign. The Profs are 5-3 in Offensive Quality Control: Jason Miksit the previous eight games. Special Teams Quality Control: Mario Delvecchio Defensive Quality Control: Vaughn Nichols-Taylor Defensive Line Quality Control: James Rendle NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll After capturing a share of their second consecutive NJAC Championship and 2016 Final Team Statistics claiming the league's automatic qualification to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, RU WU Wesley College has been selected as the 2017 preseason football favorite in the First Downs 155 172 Rushing Offense 112.1 168.4 NJAC. Passing Offense 193.3 189.6 Total Offense 305.4 358 1. Wesley College (8) Scoring Offense 18.3 25.5 2. Frostburg State University (2) Rushing Defense 156.6 67.9 3. Salisbury University Passing Defense 140.7 226.2 4. Rowan University Total Defense 297.3 294.1 Scoring Defense 15.1 22.5 5. Kean University (dark horse) 3rd Down Conversions 33% 30% 6. Christopher Newport University 4th Down Conversions 56% 50% 7. Montclair State University Interception Returns 14 12 8. Southern Virginia University Interception Yards 185 202 9. William Paterson University Fumbles-Lost 19-12 19-5 Opp. Fumbles-Lost 15-8 26-12 10. The College of New Jersey Penalties-Yards 69-688 93-793 Time of Possession 29:30 29:26 First place votes in parenthesis Sacks By-Yards 22-142 36-244 Sack Allowed-Yards 16-103 16-98 2017 Rowan Football Page 2 2016 NJAC Final Standings MAC Preseason Coaches Poll NJAC Overall The Delaware Valley University Aggies were selected as the favorite to win the Wesley College 8-1 9-3 2017 MAC title by the conference coaches in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Frostburg State University 8-1 10-1 The Aggies received five of the 10 first-place votes. Salisbury University 6-3 8-3 Christopher Newport University 6-3 7-3 1. Delaware Valley University (5) Kean University 5-4 7-4 T2. Stevenson University (3) Rowan University 5-4 6-4 T2. Albright College (2) Montclair State University 3-6 4-6 4. Widener University The College of New Jersey 2-7 2-8 5. King's College Southern Virginia University 1-8 2-8 6. Lycoming College William Paterson University 1-8 2-8 7. Lebanon Valley College 8. Wilkes University 2016 MAC Final Standings 9. FDU-Florham MAC Overall 10. Misericordia University Stevenson University 8-1 9-2 Albright College 7-2 8-3 First place votes in parenthesis Delaware Valley University 7-2 9-2 Widener University 6-3 6-4 King’s College 5-4 5-5 Season Openers At Home Lebanon Valley College 4-5 4-6 Rowan is 11-1 in season openers at home since 1990. Its only loss was to Wid- Wilkes University 3-6 3-7 ener in 2014 (19-7). FDU-Florham 2-7 2-8 Lycoming College 2-7 3-7 Profs Name Three Captains Misericordia University 1-8 1-9 Offensive lineman Darryl Guilford, defensive back Shaquille Lee and defensive end Kevin Stokes were selected as the 2017 team captains. The players voted D3football.com Preseason Top 25 on the captains during training camp. 1. Mary Hardin-Baylor 2. Mount Union 3. Wis.-Whitewater Battling Familiar Faces 4. Wis.-Oshkosh Rowan offensive lineman Anthony Brooks played for Widener from 2013-14.