As we enter the weekend with a very formidable opponent in Ursinus we do that with confidence. The confidence of a well prepared team that has practiced well all season – but with even more precision this week.
Our training plans do not alter. But the approach to the fundamentals continues to ramp up. As we do each week on defense the team trains daily on tackling – something you cannot work enough.
Our offense returns to the basic work of consistent route running and ball carrying drills we always use. The
offensive line pays attention to the tips and techniques that Chris Leavenworth offers up (along with his sarcasm and occasional off-color comment (imagine that!!)
Even as the increased emphasis on player safety heightens – our awareness of tackling techniques allows us to focus on doing it correctly.
!!THE ENEMY!!
Ursinus has opened the 2018 season with three straight wins. They have defeated Bethany 36-13, Gettysburg 42-7 and then beat Juniata on the road 35-14 last weekend.
This is similar to the start they had last year, but the Bears faded to a 6-4 record as they dropped four of their last five games. (However, they were able to defeat Johns Hopkins during the first half of last year.)
Ursinus returned nine starters on offense and eight more on defense. To this point the Bears have proven that they are strong on both sides of the ball. Offensively they are paced by returning Junior QB Thomas Garlick (16), runners Samuel Ragland (37) and Stacey Gardner (3) and Freshman wide receiver Ryan Loughlin (46).
Garlick (16) is second in passing in the CC behind the QB we faced last week David Tammaro of Johns Hopkins. He is big (6-4, 215) and has the ability to make all of the throws. He is currently completing 63% of his throws and has thrown 7 TD’s compared to his 4 interceptions.
Although Ursinus is a team that likes to run option style plays Garlick (16) is more a thrower than a runner. In three games he has recorded 35 rushing attempts for just 75 yards. Still, defensively he must be accounted for in the running game.
In the passing game Garlick (17) shines – and he has spread the ball around….but his favorite target is freshman (“freshperson” in some programs I guess) Ryan Loughlin (46) who has caught 17 passes and scored 3 TD’s. He also handles much of the kick returning.
Also being key parts to the passing game are seniorThomas Cardozo (82) at tight end and Zach Gravelle (80) – both have nine catches each.
The front line returns three starters in Seniors Brett Highland (56) at 6-0, 250 and Gregg Olson (74) who is 6-3, 250. Junior James Marinelli (72) is another returning starter at 6-2, 300.
Highland (56) was named to the first team All Centennial first team offense following last season and Marinelli (72) was placed on the second team.
The running game has been productive with Ursinus averaging 207.7 yards rushing per game. Sophomore Samuel Ragland (37) has been leading the Centennial Conference with 303 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns (also the leagues’ top).
Ragland (37) was named the Centennial Offensive Player of the week for the second game of the season. (He was also the Rookie of the Year in the conference for last season – his backfield running mate Stacey Gardner was named to the second team All Centennial team last year as well.)
Marcus Weathers (4) has been pacing the sturdy Bear defense with three sacks which places him in a tie for third with that production. Nick Vandervere (40) has added two sacks which he had in the Juniata game.
Another All Conference honoree was Charles Anderson (96), at 6-0, 276 he made the second team ALL CC defensive unit last year . Linebacker Jacob McCain (54) was chosen as the Centennial Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season.
In the Centennial Ursinus is the top team defensively allowing just 11.3 points per game. Permitting just 218.3 yards a game the Bears are also the stingiest defense in the conference in regards to total yards allowed.
Everyone on the squad realizes the importance of this game. But, every game is important in the growth of a young team. We have made some very positive steps during each of the last three weeks and our goal is to keep making those strides.
We have a commitment to “Ongoing skill development” within the program. Continuing to get better at our fundamentals through daily work during our practice sessions.
As we continue to evaluate ourselves as coaches and teachers we constantly look to find better ways to help the “troops” become a more cohesive unit on the field. We all know that we will always work to attain excellence each week as we work our way through the schedule.
Ursinus Overview:
- 2017 Record: 6-4
- Bears opened season with five strait wins before dropping 4 of the last games.
- 35-17 win over Hounds in Bethlehem last season.
- 2018 Record: 3-0
- Ursinus 36 – Bethany 13
- Garlick (16) threw for 291 yards and 4 TD’s.
- Loughlin (46) 124 yards receiving and 3 TD’s – He is a freshman.
- Weathers (4) has two sacks.
- Ursinus 42 – Gettysburg 7
- Garlick (16) 315 yards passing and 2 TD’s.
- Ursinus defense forced Gettysburg to punt on 8 consecutive series – held the Bullets to 24 yards passing and 93 yards rushing.
- Ursinus 35 – Juniata 14
- Ragland (3) rushed for 170 yards and scored 3 TD’s.
- Garlick (16) passed for 237 yards on a 17-24 performance…but had three interceptions.
- Ursinus limited Juniata to 55 yards rushing and had three sacks (2 by Vandervere [40]). The Bear defensive also forced and recovered three fumbles.
- Ursinus 36 – Bethany 13
Coach: Pete Gallagher (West Virginia Wesleyan ’93) 18th season (83-87). Two Centennial Conference Championships.,
OFFENSE: Returning 9 Starters)
- Quarterbacks:
- Thomas Garlick (16) Jr. 6-4, 215
- Receivers:
- Jacob Clifford (6) Sr. 6-0, 200
- Thomas Cardozo (82) Sr. 6-2, 235 – TE
- Runners:
- Stacey Gardner (3) Jr. 5-7, 215
- Samuel Ragland (37) Soph. 5-9, 175 (2017 Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year).
- Offensive Line:
- Brett Highland (56) Sr. 6-0, 250. (All Centennial Conference)
- James Marinelli (72) Jr. 6-2, 300. (Second Team All Centennial Conference)
- Greg Olsson (74). Sr, 250
DEFENSE:
- Defensive Line:
- Noah Thomas (99) Jr. 6-2, 220
- Matthew Trainor (93) Jr., 6-4, 240
- Nick Vandervere (40) Jr. 6-0, 220
- Charles Anderson (96) Sr. 6-0, 290 (Second Team All Centennial Conference)
- Linebackers:
- Jacob McCain (54) Jr. 5-11, 207
- Defensive Backs:
- Michael Bradford (8) Jr. 5-9, 170
- Danny Freeman (47) Soph. 5-10, 175
- Jack Spingler (17) Jr. 6-2, 205
*****
Here is an example of how our “Special Forces” practice during the week. This is an outstanding interception by Dylan Purdy (50) playing linebacker for the defensive SF.
He is the LB standing on the 30 yard line between the hashmark and the numbers. It is exciting for me to watch the performance of the younger players.
Often the inexperienced players feel they are neglected a little during the season. I take it as my personal goal to try and encourage these youngsters because they are the future of the HOUND PROGRAM! (The Kennel??)
Being technologically challenged I have to admit I am somewhat proud of myself in getting this video placed in the blog. I am still not sure how I did it!