Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - For the second consecutive season and the second time in program history, the Mount Ida College football team has gained a berth into post-season action and will return to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) North Atlantic Bowl against hosting New England Football Conference (NEFC) Boyd Division member Endicott College (9-1) Saturday afternoon in Beverly, Massachusetts with game time slate for 1:00 p.m. This will be the first time in the history between these two programs that they will meet in action.
The Mustangs, who played at Springfield College in the North Atlantic Bowl last season, finished 2011 with a 6-4 overall record capturing third place in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) standings (5-2). Mount Ida football played the Pride back on November 20th, 2010 falling in a tough 26-17 battle in their first ever post-season appearance.
Fourth year head coach Michael Landers and the Mustangs match their win total from last year tying the most victories in program history for a season which has happened three times in the 12 year span of the team (2004, 2010, and 2011).
The Gulls finished the regular season with an impressive overall record of 9-1 with a second place finish in the Boyd division of the NEFC behind NCAA bound Western New England College. Endicott finalized the 2011 season with a 36-24 victory over league member M.I.T. a week ago (11/5) from this past Saturday.
Mount Ida was led offensively this year by senior running back Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney) with 1,465 total yards rushing for the season averaging 146.5 yards a game on 257 carries. Bunch also added 13 rushing touchdowns averaging 5.7 yards a carry. He has scored 13 rushing TD’s the past three seasons (2009, 2010, and 2011).
Junior quarterback Scott Drosendahl (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) turned in an impressive season becoming the leader in passing touchdowns (50). Drosendahl aired out 17 TD passes for the season averaging 171.4 yards a game with an efficiency rating of 137.25. He completed 120 passes out of 223 attempts with only seven interceptions turning in a very solid season. Drosendahl has a chance to break the program record for passing yards in a career this Saturday needing 332.
The receiving core was led by three valuable wide out’s starting with junior Matthew Valentini (Lake Hoptacong, NJ/Jefferson TWP) with 40 catches for 508 yards and four touchdowns for his best season through his three year tenure.
Mount Ida junior Jordan Hyman (Middletown, CT/Xavier) also turned in his best year as a Mustang with 32 catches for 537 yards receiving and four TD catches with the highest average yards a game (53.7) by any receiver.
Finally, Mount Ida senior wide rout and 2011 pres-season All-American Nick Lynch (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays) led the core with eight touchdown catches on 460 yards receiving for the year.
The Mustang defense was solid as a rock this year ranked ninth throughout NCAA Division III for total defense. Freshman linebacker Jah-son Johnson (Windsor, CT/Windsor) was impressive this season with 59 solo tackles ranked 38th nationally. Johnson notched two sacks and a combined 68 total tackles (59 solo, 18 assist).
Mount Ida junior defensive end A.J. Knibbs (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) turned into another outstanding year in addition to last season. Knibbs was 16th throughout NCAA Division III with nine sacks along with 12 tackles for a loss. Knibbs became the program’s all-time leader in sacks with 21.5 through his three year tenure. Knibbs has only played DE for the past two seasons. He added 35 solo tackles, seven quarterback hurries, five pass break-ups, and a blocked kick as well.
Mustang freshman defensive back Jovan Wilkins (Poughkeepsie, NY/Poughkeepsie) made an immediate impact in the backfield with six interceptions for the year tying him for the all-time season record. Wilkins needs three more picks to capture the all-time record for interceptions in a career. Wilkins was honored by the Boston Herald this past week by New England Sports Writer John Connolly as the defensive “Herald Hero” after his outstanding performance last weekend.
TRAVELING TO THE GAME? CLICK HERE TO FIND DIRECTIONS TO ENDICOTT COLLEGE
TICKET PRICES:
ADULTS: 5.00 Dollars
STUDENTS, SENIOR CITIZENS, CHILDREN UNDER 12: 3:00 Dollars
ENDICOTT COLLEGE TAILGATING POLICY:
Location: ALL tailgating will take place in G-Lot down the hill from the Post Center. We will reserve a section of the lot specifically for tailgating.
Time Frame: Tailgating will be allowed two hours prior to the start of the game and will end one hour after the conclusion of the game.
Alcohol: ALCOHOL IS NOT TOLERATED AT TAILGATES AT ENDICOTT COLLEGE. They ask for your understanding as they attempt to keep the campus as safe and family friendly as possible.
Cooking: Cooking can be done with small camp-like propane cylinders. Endicott asked to not use briquettes because of disposal issues.
Stadium Use: No cooking, coolers or backpacks will be allowed in the stadium. Cancession are available for purchase.
Pets: For the safety and comfort of all patrons, they as you to keep any pet out of the stadium and on a leash at all times.
Access: Due to the size of the crowds at the football games, you will need a TAILGATING PASS to get into the tailgating area. When arriving on campus, a student worker will welcome you at the front gate with a game specific tailgating pass. PASSES WILL BE ISSUED ON A FIRST-COME/FIRST SERVE BASIS. This pass will grant you access to the tailgating section of G-lot.