Nicholas White

Football Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Football Heads to Bloomsburg for PSAC Crossover Contest

GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS (1-1) at BLOOMSBURG HUSKIES (0-2)
DATE:  Saturday, September 18, 2021
KICKOFF: 2:00 p.m.
STADIUM:  Danny Hale Field at Redman Stadium l Bloomsburg, Pa.
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RADIO:  90.5 WERG FM -- Catch all of the Gannon football action in 2021 on 90.5 WERG FM, with Jack Quinn providing the play-by-play.  

ERIE, Pa. – Gannon will hit the highway for the second time in the first three weeks of the season, playing its second straight PSAC crossover contest at Bloomsburg. The Golden Knights come into the contest with a 1-1 record after opening the season with a 28-21 overtime win at Northwood, followed by a 56-26 loss to 13th-ranked Shepherd in their home opener last weekend. The Huskies opened the season with road losses at Stonehill (35-13) and at Seton Hill (13-7). They come into their home opener with a 0-2 record under first-year head coach Frank Sheptock. This marks the first meeting between the two schools since 2017. 
 
SERIES RECORD
Bloomsburg leads 4-2
 
LAST MEETING
2017 – at Bloomsburg 27, Gannon 10
Turnovers proved the difference as the Huskies took advantage of four Gannon turnovers to score 13 points. In addition, the Bloomsburg defense recorded 5 sacks. The setback dampened another huge rushing game for junior Marc Jones who produced 173 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries. Bloomsburg jumped out to a 17-3 halftime lead, with Gannon scoring on a 30-yard field goal by Karch Holland in the second quarter. Jones six-yard touchdown run closed the gap to 17-10 with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter, but added a touchdown and a late field goal in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Keefe (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward) completed 15 of 27 passes for 169 yards a two INTs. Tyler Palka caught 6 passes for 90 yards. Chris Palubinsky completed 14 of 21 passes for 212 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Huskies, while Qmac Quiteh ran for 77 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. 
 
LAST WEEK
#13 Shepherd 56, at Gannon 26
The Golden Knights jumped out to a 6-0 lead less than two minutes into the contest, as Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) threw the first of his three touchdown passes, an 11-yarder to lex Whittaker.  However, they were unable to slow down a high-powered Shepherd offense that scored touchdowns on its first four possessions. The Rams grabbed a 21-6 lead on three Tyson Bagent touchdown passes before Eric Scarpino (Waterford, Pa./Fort LeBoeuf) booted a career-long 45-yard field goal a minute into the second quarter. That made the score 21-9, but Shepherd would build its lead to 35-9 at the half. Scarpino booted a 25-yard field goal to start the second-half scoring. Gannon would match a Shepherd touchdown with a six-pointer on Curtis' 17-yard pass to Sam East (Jackson Township, N.J./Saint John Vianney) to make it 42-19 after three quarters. Whittaker hauled in a second TD pass, this one from 23 yards out, for Gannon's final score. Shepherd would finish with 583 yards in total offense compared to 333 for Gannon. Curtis, in his second game as a Golden Knight, threw for 252 yards and 3 TDs, completing 21 of 36 passes. East caught 7 passes for 76 yards.  
 
at Seton Hill 13, Bloomsburg 7
Seton Hill kicked a pair of second-half field to snap a 7-7 halftime tie and hand Bloomsburg the defeat. The Griffins took a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter, but Bloomsburg knotted the score at 7-7 midway through the period. The Huskies took advantage of a fumbled punt at the SHU 12. Three plays later, freshman David  LePoidevin found John Ayres for an 14-yard TD pass. The Bloomsburg defense turned in a strong effort, forcing five turnovers while holding Seton Hill to 350 total yards. The Bloomsburg offense was limited to 165 total yards and committed three turnovers along with allowing four 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 145-66 career record and is in his 21st season as a head coach. He joined the Gannon staff as offensive coordinator in 2018 after serving as the head coach at Division I Savannah State in 2016 and 2017. 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.    
 
Frank Sheptock (Bloomsburg '86) is in his first season as the head coach at Bloomsburg. He returned to his alma mater after serving one season as the defensive coordinator at Misericordia University. Prior to spending the 2015 campaign as the defensive line coach at Bloomsburg, Sheptock was at Division III Wilkes as the defensive coordinator from 1990-95 and then took over the Colonels' program and served as head coach from 1996-2014. While at Wilkes, Sheptock went 107-81 and established the program record for most wins in a season (11) and career (107), while leading the Colonels to nine postseason appearances. His 2005 squad went 8-3 overall and advanced to the NCAA Division III Playoffs while his 2006 team posted an 11-1 mark with an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Sheptock was a four-time first team All-PSAC  selection and a three-time first team Associated Press All-American. He was inducted into the Bloomsburg Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007, and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
 
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. Bloomsburg, meanwhile, was picked to finish fourth in the Eastern Division. The Huskies were 5-6 in 2019.
 
CURTIS TOSSES 3 TDs IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
For the second straight week Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) threw three touchdown passes. The transfer from Ohio State and Bryant completed 21 of 36 passes for 252 yards with 3 TDs against Shepherd. In his first start as a Golden Knight a week ago, he threw for 249 yards and three scores at Northwood. The last time a Gannon quarterback threw three touchdown passes in back-to-back games was Liam Nadler in 2015.
 
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 touchdowns and receiving yards, and he matches his high for receptions.

CURTIS-TO-EAST BECOMING LETHAL COMBINATION
Quarterback Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) and wide receiver Sam East (Jackson Township, N.J./Saint John Vianney) have become a potent combination after the first two games of the season. The two have combined for 14 receptions for 176 yards and 3 TDs. East enjoyed a career day in the season-opening win at Northwood. He set career-highs for receptions (7) and yards receiving (100), while matching his career high with two touchdowns. He caught scoring passes of nine and 25 yards, the latter accounting for the winning score. Against Shepherd, he again caught 7 passes, good for 76 yards and a 17-yard TD pass.
 
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 now made seven-of-eight field goals in his career.
 
YOUTHFUL O-LINE HOLDING UP
A young offensive line with a true freshman and two redshirt freshmen starting has allowed just one sack in each of the first two games. The elder statesman of the line is right guard Montana Nietert (Aurora, Ohio/Aurora), a redshirt sophomore who has started 10 games in his career.   
 
GOLDEN KNIGHTS MAKE FIRST TRIP TO MICHIGAN SINCE 2004 A MEMORABLE ONE
Gannon's trip to Midland, Michigan two weeks ago 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.
 
CURTIS IMPRESSIVE IN DEBUT IN MAROON AND GOLD
Kory Curtis (Cape Coral, Fla.) might be considered well-traveled, but to Gannon, he represents the future at quarterback. The 6'4", 252 lb. sophomore from Florida spent three seasons 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 debut as a Golden Knight, he completed 17-of-36 passes for 249 yards with 3 TDs and 2 INTs. He added 25 yards rushing on eight carries.
 
WATCH OUT FOR BOOKENDS WHITE AND BULLOCK
The strength of the Gannon defense lies in the defensive line, and in particular, defensive ends Jay Bullock (Garfield Heights, Ohio/University School) and Nick White (Randallstown, Md./Milford Mill Academy). White, a 6'3", 240 lb. redshirt sophomore, was the team MVP in the spring after finishing with 20 tackles, with team highs in tackles for losses (8.5) and sacks (5.5). In 2019, White was fifth on the Knights in tackles with 43, with a team-high 9.5 tackles for losses, including 2.5 sacks. Bullock did not play this past spring, but in 2018 and 2019 he was an All-PSAC West second team selection. In 2019, he totaled 24 tackles, six for losses. In 2018, he totaled 39 stops. Bullock is a 6'1", 254 lb. redshirt senior who owns 22 career starts. 
 
YOUTH THE KEYWORD FOR GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN 2021
Gannon's depth chart is peppered with youth. The depth chart is dotted with youthful players, with no fewer than 11 freshmen and 10 more redshirt freshmen on the 2-deep. There's only a handful of players who have made more than 20 starts in their career, led by Malachi Woody (Lynchburg, Va./Liberty Christian Academy). The redshirt junior defensive tackle has now made 25 career starts at Gannon, the top figure on the team. Keith Thompson (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge), a redshirt junior linebacker, has started 24 games, while Jay Bullock (Garfield Heights, Ohio/University School), a redshirt senior defensive end, has 23 career starts.Three players made their first career starts – Johnny Freeman (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) at wide receiver, Jordan Covatto (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) at center, and Elisha Bacon (Vero Beach, Fla. /Vero Beach) at left tackle.  
 
BLANKS RECORDS SECOND CAREER 100-YARD EFFORT
Junior Melvin Blanks (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) led Gannon in rushing in the Northwood game, eclipsing 100 yards for the second time in his career. He would finish the night with 102 yards on 16 carries, including a one-yard touchdown run. Blanks finished second on the team in rushing in the spring with 203 yards on 44 carries. That included a 23-carry, 142-yard effort against Davenport.
 
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 BLOOMSBURG
The 0-2 Huskies are under first-year coach Frank Sheptock, a former standout at Bloomsburg. They are off to a slow start with back-to-back games on the road, suffering a 35-13 loss at Stonehill and a 13-7 setback at Seton Hill. Logan Lieby started the Stonehill game at quarterback and accounted for 251 yards in total offense. Lieby was also the starter in 2019, completing 156 of 271 passes for 1,774 yards with 13 TDs and 11 INTs, adding 166 yards and 5 TDs rushing. The junior gave way to freshman  David LePoidevin against Seton Hill. LePoidevin was 6-of-13 for 54 yards with a touchdown and 2 INTs.  Kaleb Monaco, a freshman tailback, is the top ballcarrier with 85 yards on 23 carries, along with 4 receptions for 23 yards. Senior Tyshaun Pollard has a team-high 10 receptions for 94 yards. Defensively, Adam Burkhart, a 5'10", 210 lb. sophomore linebacker, has a team-leading 22 tackles, while Quentin Gaskill, a sophomore defensive back, has contributed 20 stops. Redshirt sophomore defensive back Ron Long has a pair of interceptions. Bloomsburg is averaging 250.5 ypg. In total offense, with 166.0 yards passing and 84.5 yards rushing. The Huskies are allowing 399.0 ypg., 242.0 ypg. on the ground and a stingy 148.0 ypg. through the air. Opposing passers have completed just 23 of 41 passes with 5 INTs.     
 
UP NEXT
It's Homecoming 2021 on the campus of Gannon University. On Saturday, September 25, the Golden Knights will host Clarion on Homecoming. The contest will also be the PSAC West opener for both squads. Kickoff at McConnell Family Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Jimmy Keefe

#6 Jimmy Keefe

QB
6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Master of Business Administration
Melvin Blanks

#2 Melvin Blanks

RB
6' 1"
Junior
Business
Jay Bullock

#3 Jay Bullock

DL
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Sport Management and Marketing
Jordan Covatto

#67 Jordan Covatto

OL
5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
Sam East

#20 Sam East

WR
5' 11"
Junior
Undeclared
Johnny Freeman

#18 Johnny Freeman

WR
6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
Montana Nietert

#76 Montana Nietert

OL
6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Business
Eric Scarpino

#94 Eric Scarpino

K
5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Mechanical Engineering
Keith Thompson

#7 Keith Thompson

LB
5' 9"
Junior
Finance
Isaac West

#22 Isaac West

WR/P
5' 10"
Sophomore
Nick White

#51 Nick White

DL
6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sports Management
Alex Whittaker

#47 Alex Whittaker

TE
6' 3"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Jimmy Keefe

#6 Jimmy Keefe

6' 2"
Redshirt Junior
Master of Business Administration
QB
Melvin Blanks

#2 Melvin Blanks

6' 1"
Junior
Business
RB
Jay Bullock

#3 Jay Bullock

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Sport Management and Marketing
DL
Jordan Covatto

#67 Jordan Covatto

5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
OL
Sam East

#20 Sam East

5' 11"
Junior
Undeclared
WR
Johnny Freeman

#18 Johnny Freeman

6' 0"
Redshirt Sophomore
WR
Montana Nietert

#76 Montana Nietert

6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Business
OL
Eric Scarpino

#94 Eric Scarpino

5' 8"
Redshirt Sophomore
Mechanical Engineering
K
Keith Thompson

#7 Keith Thompson

5' 9"
Junior
Finance
LB
Isaac West

#22 Isaac West

5' 10"
Sophomore
WR/P
Nick White

#51 Nick White

6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sports Management
DL
Alex Whittaker

#47 Alex Whittaker

6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
TE