WORCESTER, Mass. - Assumption looks to rebound from its first conference loss of the year when the Hounds host No. 19 and undefeated LIU Post on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. The contest will be streamed on ESPN3.
Watch the Hounds on ESPN3
Football hosts its first-ever ESPN3 game on Saturday, Oct. 27 when the Hounds square off against nationally ranked LIU Post. Fans can watch the game by going to: https://es.pn/2PHcdZd or by accessing the WatchESPN App on their phone, tablet or streaming device. To watch the contest, viewers must have an ESPN subscription in their cable package and sign in using their TV account information. For a full FAQ on WatchESPN, click here.
No Athletic Yard Sale
Due to the forecasted weather the Athletic Gear Yard Sale, originally scheduled for tomorrow in the Pavilion has been postponed.
Last Time Out: Assumption
Assumption is 5-2 and coming off a 27-21 defeat at the hands of New Haven. The Hounds missed a field quarter in the first quarter and then gave up 20 points in the second quarter to trail 20-0 at the half. The deficit stretched to 27-0 in the third, before a Doug Santos touchdown run put the team on the board with 1:18 left in the third. Assumption scored on each of its next two drives and forced one more stop in the final minute. A late drive came up short as a Hail Mary with no time left was intercepted. Assumption finished with 374 yards of offense, though only 97 yards rushing. Levi Fancher led the defense with 11 tackles and 1.5 stops for a loss.
Recent History
Assumption is looking to win its second straight game against LIU Post after blowing out the Pioneers 54-20 in 2017. The victory last season snapped a four-game losing streak to LIU Post. Last year the Hounds jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter and extended their lead to 33-0 at the half. Assumption pushed it to 47-0 in the third, before late touchdowns by the Pioneers provided the 54-20 final. Assumption had 502 yards of offense and intercepted three passes while then senior Dylan Oxsen rushed 25 times for 142 yards. Ray Sarkodieh led the defense with 3.0 sacks.
Championship Contenders
Assumption or LIU Post have captured each of the past four NE10 Championships. The Pioneers won in 2014 and 2016, while Assumption captured the Title in 2015 and 2017. The Hounds finished third in the NE10 in 2014 and lost 43-23 to LIU in the 2016 NE10 Championship on the road. In 2017, the Northeast-10 got rid of its championship game, and LIU Post finished as the runner-up in the conference.
Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind
The last two games between LIU Post and Assumption have been a pair of blowouts, however, in the three meetings before that, each game was within three points in the final minute of play. In 2014, the Hounds fell 28-27. A year later they lost 40-31, but missed a game-tying two-point conversion in the final minute and recovered the onside kick, but LIU Post ended the potential comeback with a pick six. In 2016, the Pioneers scored with five minutes left and held off Assumption for the 19-18 win.
Scoring Supremacy
Assumption currently ranks ninth in the nation, averaging 41.9 points per game. Against AIC on Sept. 29 they surpassed the 50-point mark for the second time this season in the 54-9 win over AIC. It was the 13th time in the past four seasons the Hounds have gone over 50 points. Overall Assumption has scored at least 20 points in 27 straight games and at least 17 points in 50 consecutive contests.
Slow Start
Saturday against New Haven marked the second straight game and third time this season Assumption trailed at some point during the third quarter. Assumption is 0-3 in such games this year. Against the Chargers, the Hounds trailed 27-0 at one point, while the Southern Connecticut held a 12-7 lead. In the season opener, Kutztown led 26-0 in the second quarter and then 26-7 at the start of the third quarter.
Final Half Finish
This season, Assumption has outscored teams 91-31 in the third quarter of games and then 57-14 in the fourth, while only owning a 14-point edge in the second quarter (73-57).
Dual Threat
This season Cody Williams has rushed and thrown for a touchdown in four of seven games. The senior currently ranks third in the NE10 in passing yards (1576), passing touchdowns (16), and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns with five. Williams has had at least one rush of more than ten yards in all seven games this year and 268 total yards.
Quest for 200 Catches
Deonte Harris became just the third Assumption receiver to surpass 200 catches against AIC. He currently has 215 catches for 2,678 yards. Harris also currently ranks second in program history with 26 touchdown catches. David Canney '11 owns the school records for receptions (239) while Ashton Grant '18 is first in receiving yards (3,204) and touchdowns (36).
All-Purpose, All Day
Deonte Harris ranks first among all active Division II players and fourth among all active NCAA players with 5,720 all-purpose yards. For his career he has averaged 136 all-purpose yards per game and has scored 42 total touchdowns in his career (26 Rec, 8 PR, 5 KR, 3 Rush).
Tying it All Together
Senior Tyis Boykin has come on strong his senior season, leading the team with 34 receptions after totaling 25 through his first three years. Of his 34 catches, 19 have been for a first down and two more have been for touchdowns.
It's Always Sonnie
After not recording a catch in the opening two games, Sonnie has at least three receptions in each of the past five games. He has totaled 20 catches for 256 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Missing the Century Mark
Saturday's game against New Haven marked the first time this season Assumption failed to surpass 100 yards. It is the fifth time in the last three seasons the Hounds have failed to accomplish this feat and they are just 2-3 over those five games. When going over 100 yards as a team since the start of 2016, the team is 23-4.
Rushing to the Endzone
Doug Santos rushed for a career-high three touchdowns and 55 yards in Assumption's win over Pace on 9/21. Khaleed Exum-Strong also has a three-touchdown game this season, accomplishing the feat against Merrimack on 9/8. The Hounds as a team have had at least two rushing touchdowns in every game this year.
Picking off the Competition
Assumption was held without an interception for the third straight game and fourth time this season. Last year the Hounds led the nation with 26 interceptions, though have just eight through seven games this year.
Total Team Defense
Through seven games Assumption has one player ranked in the top 15 in total tackles, as Bryce Jacob has a team-high 46 stops. The team does have nine players with at least 22 stops, including Kaleb Silva who has 43 and Joe Kim who has 40.
Special Teams Defense
Assumption's defense on kick return and punt return this year has been a key reason for their success. On 43 returns, opponents are averaging just 14.7 yards per return, 10th in the nation. No team has posted a kick return longer than 36 yards.
Straight Through the Uprights
Sophomore Jacob Tondel missed his first field goal of the year last game against New Haven, pulling a 51-yard attempt just left of the goal posts. However, the sophomore has connected on all 39 of his extra points. He currently ranks sixth in the NE10 in scoring with 46 points. Dating back to the start of the 2017 season, Tondel and Cole Tracy have combined to make 106 consecutive extra points.
Getting a Foot Hold
Junior Seamus Wallace has come through with consistent punting for the Hounds this year, averaging 37.5 yards on 31 punts. Of his 31 punts, only 11 have been returned for an average of 3.0 per return with a long of 16 while three have been fair caught.
Scoring In Other Phases
Jared Vargus' safety in the fourth quarter against AIC was the third time this year Assumption scored on defense or special teams. Last year they led the nation with 14 touchdowns from defense or special teams (6 PR, 4 INT, 3 KR, 1 FUM), recording at least one in 10 of 13 games.
Last Time Out: LIU Post
The Pioneers gave up just six points for the second consecutive game as their defense dominated last weekend in a 41-6 victory over Pace. They jumped out to a 31-0 lead through three quarters and eventually gave up a touchdown with just 33 seconds left in the game to provide the final margin. LIU Post allowed just eight first downs and 137 total yards in the contest while totaling 19 first downs and 357 yards. Pace didn't complete a pass in the contest, as the Pioneers intercepted four passes and also threw for 266 yards. Nazir Streater led the defense with two interceptions and five tackles. Chris Laviano threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns, finding Deon Mash for six catches and 85 yards. Jonathan DeBique led the rushing attack with 11 carries for 48 yards.
Scouting the Offense: LIU Post
LIU Post is second in the NE10 in both yards (419.6) and scoring at 36.3 points per game. Senior Chris Laviano has led the best passing attack in the conference, throwing for 1,951 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 60.1 percent of his passes. His primary targets this season have been Michael Richardson and Deon Mash. Richardson has 37 catches for 426 yards and seven touchdowns while Mash has caught 34 passes for 518 yards and four scores. Senior Malik Pierre has been the team's top rusher, carrying the ball 105 times for 457 yards and six touchdowns. Tim Marinan and Jonathan DeBique have combined for 427 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Scouting the Defense: LIU Post
The Pioneers boast the strongest defense in the NE10, allowing just 12.7 points, which is fifth in the nation, and 267.0 yards per game this season. They have held five of their seven opponents to less than ten points and have at least two interceptions in each of their past four games. LIU Post ranks second in the nation with 15 interceptions, led by Nazir Streater who has six INT, three pass break ups and 33 tackles. Jake Carlock leads the team with 37 stops, 3.0 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss. Ricco Aaron Jr. is second on the team with 36 tackles and 4.5 stops for a loss. Kevin Petit-Frere leads the defense with 9.5 sacks and 11 TFL to go along with 33 total tackles.