Game Notes at Notre Dame College

ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University football team is set to open its 32nd year of collegiate football on Thursday night, August 30 against the Falcons of Notre Dame College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from Korb Field in Lyndhurst, Ohio.

The Lakers are coming off of a disappointing 4-7 record in 2011, suffering numerous opponent fourth-quarter comebacks and significant injuries to key players. However, head coach Marty Schaetzle (46-64, 11th season) and the Lakers are ready for a turnaround in 2012. And if the pattern that has ensued since joining the PSAC in 2008 continues, there should be a lot to look forward to in 2012. Mercyhurst went 7-4 in 2008, 4-7 in 2009, 10-3 in 2010, and 4-7 in 2011.

Mercyhurst is 2-0 lifetime against the Falcons, shutting out Notre Dame College 23-0 in 2010 before winning an overtime thriller in the season opener last year, 24-23 at Tullio Field. The Lakers have won two consecutive season openers, both coming against Notre Dame, and are 22-9 in season openers dating back to the program's first year in 1981.

The Lakers were predicted to finish fifth in the PSAC West according to the preseason coaches' poll released in early August.

You can hear all of the action from Korb Field in Lyndhurst, Ohio on Mercyhurst's radio station, WMCE 88.5 FM, beginning at 6:45 p.m.

NOTES

Season Openers
Mercyhurst opens its 32nd season of collegiate football in 2012. The Lakers are 22-9 lifetime in season openers, including two straight, both against Notre Dame College. Mercyhurst is 5-5 in season openers under 11th-year head coach Marty Schaetzle. The Lakers were a perfect 7-0 under their first head coach Tony DeMeo (1981-87) and were a perfect 2-0 under Ken Brasington (1988-89). Mercyhurst was 2-1 under Jim Chapman (1990-92) and 6-3 under Joe Kimball (1993-2001).

Vendemia Enters Season As Starter
Redshirt junior Anthony Vendemia enters the 2012 as the starter under center. Vendemia started five of the final six games of the season last year in place of injured quarterback Travis Rearick and performed admirably. Over the final six games, Vendemia completed 53.3% of his passes (114-of-214) with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He averaged 233 yards passing over the final six games, including a career-high 352 yards in Mercyhurst's biggest comeback win in school history against Clarion last November. He ranks 14th all-time in school history with 1,520 career passing yards and ranks 22nd all-time with 1,440 yards of total offense.

Tough Shoes To Fill
Wide receiver Trevor Kennedy had arguably the best season ever by a Mercyhurst Laker in 2011, setting school records for receptions (88), receiving yards (1,389), touchdown receptions (15), all-purpose yards (2,232), and points scored (96). Kennedy became the first player in school history to be named an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), earning First Team honors. He was the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, among numerous other accolades. He finished his career second in recepti ons (194), yards receiving (2,758), and all-purpose yards (4,249) and tied for the career record in touchdown receptions (28). However, Kennedy graduated in May and the Lakers must find a replacement to fill his enormous shoes. Senior Paris Bruner had a career year in 2011, finishing second to Kennedy in receptions (34) and receiving yards (571) and will be looked upon as the main threat in the Laker receiving corps in 2012. Joining him as the probable main threats in the rotation are redshirt sophomore Stephen Yarbrough, who caught 15 passes for 144 yards last season, and redshirt freshman Devyn Woods, who had one catch for two yards last season in the opener against Notre Dame College before suffering an injury. Even tougher may be replacing Kennedy in the return game. Kennedy handled all of the kickoff and punt return duties a year ago and left Mercyhurst as the school's all-time punt return leader. Bruner and redshirt sophomore Aunre' Davis will get the first crack at the void.

Poro-patting His Accolades
Senior offensive lineman Kevin Poropat has been a mainstay on the Laker line for three seasons and will be looked upon for leadership on the unit again in 2012. Poropat has not missed a start in his first three seasons with the Lakers and has earned All-Conference honors in each of the past two seasons (Second Team in 2010, First Team in 2011). This summer, Poropat was named a Preseason All-American by three different organizations - Beyond Sports Network (Honorable Mention), D2 vs NAIA Bowl (Honorable Mention), and
the USA Football Freedom Bowl (Second Team). Poropat is now eligible to participate in both bowl games after the 2012 season.

Three-Headed Monster In Backfield
Sophomore Richie Sanders, junior Allen Jones II, and redshirt freshman Brandon Brown-Dukes will be expected to shoulder a majority of the load in the backfield in 2012. Sanders, the reigning PSAC West Freshman of the Year, led the Lakers with 532 yards and six touchdowns in 2011. He also caught 18 passes for 167 yards and another score during his freshman campaign. Jones, meanwhile, averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2011 - the third-highest average in school history. He had 478 yards on just 83 carries. Brown-Dukes redshirted in 2011 but is listed first on the depth chart in the season opener against Notre Dame College.

Dust-in The Wind
Junior defensive lineman Dustin Galich is expected to anchor the Laker defense in 2012. After being named to the PSAC West Second Team in 2011, the junior enters the season tied for 33rd in program history with 16.0 tackles for a loss and tied for 34th in school history with 6.5 quarterback sacks. He is also the leading tackler among active players with 93 career stops, putting him just inside the top 100 in program history (98th). He led the Lakers with 13 tackles for a loss last season and finished third on the team with 4.5 quarterback sacks.

Secondary Should Thrive
The Lakers enter the 2012 season with a great deal of experience in the secondary. Despite losing four-year starter, Bryant Kimball, who finished his career with 252 career tackles, Mercyhurst returns plenty of talent. Seniors Linnell Robinson and L.J. Stevens should lead the bunch in 2012 after successful seasons a year ago. Robinson tied for the team lead with two interceptions last seasons and broke up a team-high ten passes in 2011. Stevens ended the season with 41 total tackles, including a personal-best nine stops against Edinboro. Also in the rotation are sophomore Colin Kimball and redshirt sophomore Deonte Huggins, who saw plenty of action last season. Kimball tied with Robinson for the team-lead with two picks. Senior Todd Wingate, sophomore Keith Polson, and redshirt sophomore Aunre' Davis will also see plenty of opportunities to make plays in the Laker secondary. Davis transferred to Mercyhurst from Bowling Green.

Just For Kicks
Junior placekicker Steven Wakefield returns for his third season, solidifying the Laker kicking game. He begins the 2012 season third on the school's all-time list in points by a kicker with 120. His 84 PATs are second only to all-time leading scorer, Phil Scanlon, and his 12 field goals are fifth all-time. He will also handle the kickoff and punting duties in 2012.