Thursday, September 8, 2016
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

For the first time in 2016 all 11 Pioneer Football League teams will be action with Jacksonville opening its season with a trip to Liberty in a game to be aired on ESPN3. In addition, Stetson will host Warner in the PFL's other contest televised on ESPN3. Seven other league contests will be presented on different video offerings.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10
Robert Morris at Dayton, 1 p.m.
Video: DaytonFlyers.com
Dayton will look to fi nish its season-opening homestand with an unblemished record when it hosts Robert Morris. The Flyers opened the campaign scoring the fi rst 31 points in a 31-19 victory against Central State. Quarterback Alex Jeske notched his 10th career win after passing for a career-high 276 yards, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another. Defensively, the Dayton secondary looks like it will continue to cause nightmares as safety David Leisring ended the day wit a pair of interceptions and seven tackles. Robert Morris begins a two-game road trip after opening its 2016 schedule with a 14-7 loss to Alderson Broaddus.

Valparaiso at Sacred Heart, 1 p.m.
Video: SacredHeartPioneers.com
After its season-opening road trip to Illinois State, Valparaiso stays on the road with a Week 2 matchup with Sacred Heart. The Crusaders scored 13 points on nationally-ranked Illinois State, six coming defensive back Kellan Hughes and seven courtesy kicker Jake Simpson. Hughes earned PFL Defensive Player of the Week honors after his pick-six against the Cardinals while also amassing nine tackles. Simpson, a PFL Co-Special Teams Player of the Week, showed off his leg in Normal, Illinois, hitting field goals from 45 and 43 yards along with an extra point. It was the fi rst time since 2008 a Valparaiso kick hit a pair of 40-yard fi eld goals in a game. Sacred Heart will look for a second-straight win against the PFL after a Week 1 road win at Stetson.

Davidson at Kentucky Wesleyan, 2 p.m.
Video: None
Davidson continues its season-opening two-game road trip when it travels to Division II Kentucky Wesleyan. Wildcats wide receiver Jaris Scott was a fan of the big play in the game at Georgetown, scoring on a 56-yard catch and carry to get DC on the board. He later added a 69-yard reception that was the longest in the PFL during Week 1, but Davidson could not convert on the opportunity that catch provided. Defensively, safety Ryan Leak was busy with six tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in the contest. Kentucky Wesleyan opens its home slate after suffering a 50-29 loss at Delta State in opening-week action.

Campbell at Chowan, 6 p.m.
Video: None
Campbell got its season off to a running start and now takes to the road with a contest at Division II Chowan. The Camels got 2016 started thanks to return specialist Trey Sanders, a PFL Co-Special Teams Player of the Week, who returned a punt 55-yards for a season-opening score. Running back De’Shawn Jones took over in the second quarter, scoring all three of his touchdowns in
the frame, earning PFL Offensive Player of the Week honors. The league’s leading rusher in 2015, Jones amassed 142 yards on 16 carries against Bluefield. While scoring was at the forefront of the Week 1 win, freshman linebacker Ray Miller began his career with an 11-tackle outing that included a team-best 2½ tackles for loss. Chowan opens its home schedule after eking out a 14-13 road win against Fayetteville State.

Georgetown at Marist, 6 p.m.
Video: GUHoyas.com
Marist continues its season-opening two-game homestand when it hosts Georgetown. The Red Foxes will look to rebound from its season-opening loss, which came in front of 3,363 fans at Tenney Stadium – the sixth-largest crowd in facility history. Marist was done in by an uncharacteristic six turnovers, including two inside the Bucknell fi ve-yard line that denied scoring opportunities. Wideout Juston Christian caught seven passes for 89 yards to pace the Red Foxes offense. Kicker Mike Maccarone averaged 40 yards on four punts and
converted a 37-yard fi eld goal in the contest. Georgetown is looking to improve to 2-0 after opening its campaign with a victory against PFL member Davidson in Week 1.

VMI at Morehead State, 6 p.m.
Video: OVCDigitalNetwork.com
Morehead State will turn its attention to a Week 2 matchup against VMI after a loss at nationally-ranked James Madison to begin the campaign. Week 1 highlights for the Eagles included wide receiver Jake Reymond becoming the program’s all-time leader in receptions and ending the game with 205 career catches. MSU’s lone touchdown came thanks to the legs of freshman running back Trevor Jones, who scored on one of his four carries. Quarterback Austin Gahafer moved into third on the PFL all-time passing attempts list, ending the
game with 1,413 career passes. The Eagles will face a VMI squad that was within two points after three quarters at FBS foe Akron before falling 47-24.

Franklin at Butler, 6:30 p.m.
Video: ButlerSports.com
After an impressive start to its campaign, Butler turns to its home opener against Franklin in Week 2. The Bulldogs posted 25 points at Indiana State in its season opener. Butler ended the game with leads in time of possession, first downs and rushing yards – thanks to the effort of running back Anthony Scaccia who carried the ball 13 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs defense also did its part, holding Indiana State to 3-of-13 on third down attempts. Linebacker David Starkey led the defensive unit with 12 tackles, a sack
and two forced fumbles. Franklin enters the game ranked No. 19 in the Division III polls after opening its season with a 43-39 victory against Thomas More.

Jacksonville at Liberty, 7 p.m.
Video: ESPN3
First-year head coach Ian Shields will take a revamped Jacksonville squad into its season-opener at Liberty. The Dolphins were idle in Week 1 as they assimilated 46 freshmen into the roster. Jacksonville will turn to running back and Preseason All-PFL choice Ulysses Bryant, who will look to continue his climb up the Jacksonville record book where he ranks second in rushing yards (2,478). On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers Grady Redding and Justin Horton will share the leadership load. Redding was a Preseason All-PFL pick after ranking fourth in the league with 5.8 solo stops per game. Liberty opened its season with a 36-13 loss at FBS foe Virginia Tech.

Drake at South Dakota State, 7 p.m.
Video: GoJacks.com
Drake will have the toughest task in the PFL during Week 2 when it faces nationally-ranked South Dakota State. The Bulldogs will look to shake off the effects of a home-opening loss to Quincy. Drake tight end Eric Saubert got his season off to a strong start, leading all Drake receivers with seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Running back Conley Wilkins amassed a league-best 242 all-purpose yards, including 168 yards on seven kickoff returns (24.0 yards per return). South Dakota State returns home after nearly stunning FBS No. 13 TCU, leading 24-21 in the fi rst half before bowing by a 59-41 margin.

Warner at Stetson, 7 p.m.
Video: ESPN3
Stetson is another PFL squad with a two-game homestand to open 2016 and enters its Week 2 affair against Warner seeking its fi rst win. The Hatters were so close to a win against Sacred Heart, surrendering a lead in the fourth quarter. It was Stetson’s fi rst season-opening loss since he program was restarted in 2013. The Hatters had fi ve fi rst-time starters on the fi eld against the Pioneers, including sophomore quarterback Gaven DeFilippo who completed 22-of-38 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown in his debut. Garrett Mulling and Dom Coluccio made their fi rst starts on the offensive line while Shane Parton and Colby Duncan started defensively. Warner, out of the NAIA, opened its season with a Week 1 victory against Union College.

San Diego at Cal Poly, 9:05 p.m.
Video: GoPoly.com
San Diego opened 2016 with a shutout victory against Division II Western New Mexico and now turns its attention to FCS foe Cal Poly. The Toreros shutout win gives it the last two shutout victories in the PFL, its previous shutout was a 27-0 victory against Drake on Oct. 17, 2015. Defensive end Jonathan Petersen led that defensive unit with a PFL best three tackles for loss and two sacks in the
week as part of a fi ve-tackle performance. Running back Jonah Hodges supplied the offense with two touchdowns as part of a 16-carry, 106-yard effort. The Toreros travel to a Cal Poly squad that put a scare into FBS foe Nevada, forcing overtime with a 14-point fourth quarter before falling 30-27.