GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (2-4, 1-2 PSAC West) at SETON HILL GRIFFINS (3-3, 1-2 PSAC West)
DATE: Saturday, October 16, 2021
KICKOFF: 4:00 p.m.
STADIUM: Offutt Field l Greensburg, Pa.

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ERIE, Pa. – Gannon faces another of the PSAC's top defenses as Seton Hill comes in ranked in the top five in most categories. A week ago, 15^th-ranked Cal showcased the top defense in the conference. The Golden Knights, meanwhile, have relied on a strong offensive attack led by quarterback Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) and running back Melvin Blanks (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills). Gannon is 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the PSAC West following last week's 38-17 loss to Cal. Three of Gannon's four losses have come to nationally-ranked teams. The Golden Knights opened the season with a 28-21 overtime win at Northwood, followed by a 56-26 loss to then 13^th-ranked Shepherd in their home opener. After dropping a last-second 31-27 heartbreaker at Bloomsburg, Gannon celebrated Homecoming with a 56-21 triumph over Clarion. Two weeks ago the Golden Knights were edged by then 25^th-ranked IUP, 28-23.  Seton Hill owns a 3-3 record and is 1-2 in the PSAC West.  The three wins are the most since 2016. The Griffins are facing an Erie county team for the third straight week after handing Mercyhurst a 19-17 defeat a week and falling to Edinboro, 17-7, the week before that. The Griffins have held five of six opponents to 17 points-or-less.
 
SERIES RECORD
Gannon leads 6-1

LAST MEETING
2019 – at Seton Hill 25, Gannon 21
Gannon would take a 21-17 lead with just under six minutes to play on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Keefe (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward) to Johnny Freeman (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep), but the Griffins would stun Gannon with a safety and touchdown in the final 48 seconds. On a 4^th-and-31 play from the GU 33 in the final minute, Michael Elardo was stopped a yard short at the three on a pass from Ryan Barabe. Seton Hill would register a safety on a running play with 48 seconds to go, cutting Gannon's lead to 21-19. Taking over at midfield, Barabe completed four passes, the last a 17-yarder to Matthew Williams for the winning score with 17 seconds left. Gannon nearly pulled out the win, with Jimmy Keefe's (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward) pass to Joey Cox carrying to the SHU 12 as time expired. Keefe and Cox earlier opened the scoring with a 14-yard TD pass, one of three touchdown passes for Keefe on the day. He added a 27-yarder to Bransen Stanley (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) in the third quarter. Barabe also threw three touchdown passes. Keefe completed 21-of-30 passes for 300 yards, while Barabe was 20-of-25 for 250 yards. Cox caught 8 passes for 114 yards, with Sam East (Jackson Township, N.J./Saint John Vianney) adding 4 receptions for 71 yards. Kinan Humphrey led the Griffins with 10 catches for 100 yards, with Elardo at 5 catches for 98 yards.   
 
LAST WEEK
#15 Cal U 38, at Gannon 17
Gannon would open the scoring with an impressive 10-play, 61-yard drive capped by Eric Scarpino's (Waterford, Pa./Fort LeBoeuf) 31-yard field goal. The points were the first allowed by Cal in the first half all year. Gannon would later add a 25-yard TD run by Melvin Blanks (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) late in the second quarter, but Cal answered with a touchdown for a 31-10 lead at intermission. Anthony Wright Jr. accounted for GU's final score with a six-yard run. The Golden Knights finished with 296 total yards, the most allowed by the Cal defense this year. Cal came in ranked first in Division II in scoring defense, total defense, and passing defense. Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) completed 15-of-38 passes for 213 yards with a pair of INTs, with Johnny Freeman (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) catching 4 passes for 81 yards. Blanks led the ground game with 51 yards on 11 carries. 
 
Seton Hill 19, at Mercyhurst 17
Seton Hill trailed 14-0 after Mercyhurst's first two possessions but scored the next 19 points. Logan Wiland provided the offense, scoring all three SHU touchdowns on runs of 7, 3 and 10 yards while totaling 175 yards on 38 carries. He would score the eventual winning TD with 20 seconds left in the first half. The defense did the rest, holding Mercyhurst to 196 total yards, including just 51 on the ground. The SHU defense came up with five sacks. Seton Hill totaled 278 yards, most of that rushing (180). Jaylen McDuffie led the Griffins with 10 tackles and two sacks.
 
HEAD COACHES
Erik Raeburn (Mount Union '94) enters his second season as Gannon's head coach after serving as the offensive coordinator in 2019. He took over a Gannon squad which had posted a 2-9 record in 2019. The Golden Knights were 1-3 during the spring. Raeburn has a 146-69 career record and is in his 21^st season as a head coach. He joined the Gannon staff as offensive coordinator in 2019 after serving as the head coach at Savannah State for three seasons from 2016 to 2018. From 2008-15, Raeburn enjoyed great success at Wabash. He led the Little Giants to a 78-13 record in eight seasons, with five NCAA Division II Playoffs appearances and three North Coast Athletic Conference titles. Prior to that he served as the head coach at Coe College from 2000-07, where he was 57-26 in eight seasons. That included three conference championships and two trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Mount Union, in 1994.  
 
Daniel Day (Seton Hill '09) is in his third season as the head coach at his alma mater. In his first season the Griffins posted a 2-8 finish, with two PSAC West wins the most since 2016. He was a member of the school's first football team in 2005, and as a senior in 2008 helped the Griffins to their lone trip to the NCAA Playoffs. Day was a three-year starter at Seton Hill. He spent two seasons on the Griffins staff as the offensive graduate assistant coach.  He served as an assistant coach at Saint Joseph's(Ind.) before being named head coach in 2014.  At that point, he was the youngest head coach in Division II football.  He was the school's head coach for two seasons before the school closed after the 2016 football season.  Day helped lead the Pumas to back-to-back eight-win seasons for the second time in school history. In 2017, he served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Benedictine University.  The offense produced the highest yardage output in school history under his leadership.

PSAC RANKINGS

	Gannon	Seton Hill
Scoring	29.5 (7)	12.5 (15)
Scoring Defense	32.5 (14)	18.3 (5)
Total Offense	384.3 (7)	279.3 (12)
Total Defense	431.5 (14)	258.5 (3)
Rushing Offense	141.8 (6)	138.3 (8)
Rushing Defense	150.0 (12)	78.8 (2)
Passing Offense	242.5 (5)	141.0 (13)
Passing Defense	281.5 (13)	179.7 (5)

() PSAC rank
 
PSAC PRESEASON POLL
Gannon was picked to finish seventh in the PSAC Western Division in the coaches' preseason poll. The Golden Knights finished with a 2-9 record in 2019, and was 1-3 this past spring. Seton Hill was picked to finish a step ahead of the Golden Knights in sixth place after posting a 2-8 record in 2019. 

NOTHING EASY ABOUT GANNON SCHEDULE
Three of Gannon's first six games have come against nationally-ranked opponents. It began with a meeting the second week of the season against a Shepherd team that was ranked 13th at the time. Two weeks ago the Golden Knights played at 25th-ranked Indiana(Pa.). Last week, it was then 15th-ranked Cal U visiting McConnell Family Stadium. And on the horizon is a date with Slippery Rock. SRU has climbed to sixth in the latest AFCA Top 25.  

NORMALLY POINTS A PLENTY VS. SETON HILL
Gannon has enjoyed impressive offensive production in previous meetings while winning six of seven previous meetings against Seton Hill. The Golden Knights are averaging 45.7 ppg. in those seven meetings. The 2019 contest may be a sign of things to come, however, with SHU rallying late for a 25-21 win. The 46 combined points are tied for the lowest total. In fact, five of the seven meetings have featured 60-or-more combined points. This year's game features a Gannon offense that ranks seventh in the PSAC in scoring offense (29.5 ppg.) and total offense (384.3 ypg.) against a Seton Hill defense that is fifth in scoring defense (18.3 ppg.), third in total defense (258.5 ypg.), and second in rushing defense (78.8 ypg.).

GOLDEN KNIGHTS FIRST TO SCORE IN OPENING HALF AGAINST CAL
Cal came into last Saturday's game with some incredible defensive numbers, including shutting out three of its first five opponents. The Vulcans had allowed just 26 points total. Gannon's offense enjoyed considerably more success, scoring 17 points against the top-ranked defense in Division II, along with totaling 296 yards, the most allowed by Cal in 2021. 

CURTIS STREAK WITHOUT A PICK SNAPPED
Quarterback Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) saw his streak of passes without an interception come to an end against Cal. The transfer from Bryant built the streak to 139 passes before he was intercepted in the first quarter. It was his first pickoff since late in the first half in the season opener at Northwood. Curtis also saw his streak of throwing at least two TDs in a game come to an end. He had thrown for two-or-more TDs in each of his first five games as a Golden Knight. He did keep his streak alive of passing for 200-or-more yards as he threw for 213 yards against the Vulcans. 
 
DEFENSE POSTS BEND-BUT-DON'T-BREAK EFFORT AT IUP
After a tough start Gannon's defense limited IUP to just two scores over the final three-plus quarters. The Crimson Hawks drove into Gannon territory on five occasions without coming up with any points. Trey Baker (Kettering, Ohio/Kettering Fairmont), a freshman linebacker, led the way with a career-high 14 tackles. Senior defensive back Trevaughn McNeill (Philadelphia, Pa./La Salle College HS), making his first start after missing the first three games with an injury, added 10 tackles.
 
TRIO OF RECEIVERS REACH THE CENTURY MARK
Gannon has had three different receivers reach 100 yards receiving in a game this season. It began with Sam East (Jackson Township, N.J./Saint John Vianney) catching 7 passes for 100 yards in the season opener at Northwood. Two weeks later at Bloomsburg, Johnny Freeman (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) had 5 receptions for 111 yards. Two weeks ago, Damerisse Freeman Jr. (Euclid, Ohio/St.. Edward) burned IUP for 101 yards on 3 catches.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS REALLY CELEBRATE HOMECOMING
A large Homecoming crowd barely had a chance to settle in their seats as Gannon jumped to a big lead against Clarion. The Golden Knights scored on their first four possessions, starting with a 10-play, 75-yard drive to open the game. Not even five minutes had elapsed and Gannon held a 7-0 lead on the first of four Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.)  touchdown passes. The lead grew to 21-0 after one quarter, and when Keith Thompson (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) returned a fumble 99 yards for a score on the first play of the second quarter, it was 28-0. Gannon led 42-14 at the half.
 
GANNON LIGHTS UP SCOREBOARD VS. CLARION
Gannon's 56-21 win over Clarion represented the most points by the Golden Knights since a 77-31 win over Seton Hill in 2017.
 
THOMPSON NAMED PSAC WEST DEFENSIVE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK AFTER RECORD FUMBLE RETURN
Junior linebacker Keith Thompson (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) was selected the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week after pacing a strong defensive effort vs. Clarion. He would even get in on the scoring. With Clarion knocking on the door at the GU 1, Thompson picked up a fumble caused by Malachi Woody (Lynchburg, Va./Liberty Christian Academy) and raced 99 yards down the sideline in front of the Gannon bench for his first career touchdown. He would end the day with 4 tackles while pacing a Gannon defense that held Clarion to 335 total yards and five turnovers. Thompson was also named to the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week honor roll. He hails from Woodbridge, Va.
 
CURTIS ACCOUNTS FOR FIVE TDs VERSUS CLARION
Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) accounted for five touchdowns in the 56-21 win over Clarion. He would throw four touchdown passes, covering 7, 4, 19, and 35 yards, along with scoring on a one-yard run. He completed 17-of-31 passes for 241 yards. The 6'4", 252 lb. redshirt sophomore from Florida spent three semesters as a backup quarterback at Ohio State. He would play at Bryant in 2019 and during the abbreviated 2020-21 spring season. Curtis threw for 1,700 yards in 2019, completing 174-of-301 passes with 7 TDs and 6 INTs. He added a pair of touchdowns rushing. In his first six games as a Golden Knight, he has completed 101-of-194 passes for 1,433 yards with 14 TDs and 4 INTs. He is sixth in the PSAC in yards per game (238.8 ypg.) and fourth in TD passes.

BLANKS, WRIGHT FORM ONE-TWO PUNCH AT RUNNING BACK
Melvin Blanks (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) and Antonio Wright (West Melbourne, Fla./Melbourne) are pacing a Gannon ground game that ranks sixth in the PSAC, averaging 141.8 ypg. Blanks, a junior, stands third in the PSAC with 84.3 ypg. He has 506 yards on 78 carries, an impressive 6.5 yard average, with 5 TDs. He ran for a career-high 169 yards on 20 carries at Bloomsburg. The 169 yards are the most by a Gannon rusher since Marcus Jones ran for 410 yards against Lock Haven in the final game of the 2018 season. His previous career-best had been 142 yards vs. Davenport in the spring. Wright fell just shy of his first 100-yard game with 92 yards on 14 carries vs. Clarion. That was still a career high for Wright, who adds 238 on 48 carries, a 5.0 yard average, with 3 TDs.
 
WHITTAKER DOUBLES HIS PLEASURE VERSUS SHEPHERD
Redshirt junior tight end Alex Whittaker (Medina, Ohio/Medina) caught two touchdown tosses against Shepherd, covering 11 and 23 yards. He previously had just one career touchdown reception. Whittaker finished the day with 3 catches for 49 yards. It was a new personal record for touchdowns and receiving yards, and he matched his high for receptions. 
 
SCARPINO GOES DEEP
Redshirt sophomore Eric Scarpino (Waterford, Pa./Fort LeBoeuf) kicked a career-best 45-yard field goal against Shepherd. His previous long was a 41-yarder vs. Clarion in 2019. He would add a 25-yarder later in the game. Scarpino has made all four of his field goal attempts this season and is 9-for-10 in his career.  
 
GOLDEN KNIGHTS MAKE FIRST TRIP TO MICHIGAN SINCE 2004 A MEMORABLE ONE
Gannon's trip to Midland, Michigan and subsequent 28-21 overtime win over Northwood marked the first time the Golden Knights had won in Michigan since 2004. At that time Gannon was a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and played numerous contests in Michigan.  The Golden Knights joined the PSAC in 2007. On September 25, 2004, Gannon won at Northern Michigan, 45-40.

GO WEST YOUNG MAN
Sophomore Isaac West (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) was a hidden hero for the Golden Knights at Northwood. West punted five times for an average of 40.2 yards, the best average of his career. That included punts of 44 and 43 yards.

SCOUTING SETON HILL
The Griffins showcase a stingy defense that ranks among the PSAC leaders in numerous categories. SHU ranks fifth in the PSAC in scoring defense (18.3 ppg.), third in total defense (258.5 ypg.), second in rushing defense (78.8 ypg.), and fifth in passing defense (179.7 ypg.). The defense has registered 21 sacks. Seton Hill has held five of its six opponents to 17 points or less. Jaylen McGuffie, a senior linebacker, paces the unit with 58 tackles, including 6.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks. Nelson Gedeon, a redshirt senior defensive lineman, leads the team with 3.5 sacks, while junior defensive back Damonte Pratt has 3 interceptions and 4 passes broken up. Offensively, the Griffins rely heavily on workhorse back Logan Wiland. The 6'0", 205 lb. graduate student has had three 100-yard efforts, including career highs of 178 yards on 38 carries with 3 TDs in last week's 19-17 win at Mercyhurst. He ran for 122 yards on 24 carries the week before vs. Edinboro and had 113 yards vs. Bloomsburg. Wiland is second in the PSAC in rushing at 103.0 ypg. with 618 yards on 126 carries with 5 TDs. Jake McCormick, a 6'6", 230 lb. redshirt sophomore, has assumed the signalcalling duties. He has completed 15-of-39 passes for 206 yards with a TD and 0 INTs. Chris Jones, a redshirt senior, has thrown for a team-high 547 yards, completing 52-of-102 passes with a TD and 8 INTs. Taro Gaither has a team-leading 22 receptions for 297 yards and a score. 
 
UP NEXT
Gannon returns home to for the first of back-to-back home games. Local rival Edinboro will visit McConnell Family Stadium for a 12 noon kickoff on Saturday, October 23.