COAST GUARD AT WPI
When: Today, noon. Where: Alumni Stadium, Worcester, Mass. Records: Coast Guard Academy 5-3 overall, 2-3 NEWMAC; WPI 7-1, 4-1.
Players to watch: Coast Guard, QB Ryan Jones (140for-248, 1,553 yards, 10 TDs, 8 INT), RB Jon Wagner (89 carries, 410 yards, 5 TDs), WR Justin Moffatt (57 catches, 711 yards, 4 TDs), DT Philip Orlando (57 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks), LB Eugene Bizer (89 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 INT, 2 fumble recoveries), LB Andre Horner (56 tackles), DB Pat Crowley (54 tackles, 9 pass breakups, 4 INTs), DB Mike Goldsworthy (37 tackles, 1 INT, 7 pass breakups).
WPI, QB Julian Nyland (105-for-160, 1,716 yards, 13 TDs, 8 INTs), RB Sean McAllen (121 carries, 728 yards, 8 TDs), RB Connor Field (107 carries, 664 yards, 13 TDs), WR Nic Rossi (26 catches, 539 yards, 3 TDs), WR Clark Ewen (26 catches, 412 yards, 5 TDs), DE Mike McGoff (19 tackles, 5 sacks), LB Nick Ostrowski (73 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery).
Analysis: WPI lost to MIT 28-22 in double overtime last week, with MIT's Mark Wright kicking a 41-yard field goal on the final play of regulation to tie it. That spoiled a perfect season to that juncture for the Engineers, denying them an opportunity to match the unbeaten 1983 team as the only two in program history to start a season 8-0. Now, Coast Guard coach Bill George is worried WPI comes into this week's game angry ... just what the Bears don't need down the five defensive linemen who have been lost for the season due to injury, including a pair of linebackers/standup defensive linemen, RJ Robiskie (7.5 sacks) and Zach Lukasik (4 sacks), lost in the last game. "This is the product of (the generally undersized Coast Guard defensive linemen) going against 300-pound offensive linemen week after week after week. You get worn down," George said. The Bears will start several freshmen and sophomores up front against WPI. The Bears are coming off a bye week, however, which at least gave the newcomers a window to acclimate themselves. Senior right guard Colton Rausch goes against the D-line in practice every day and is confident in its progress. "You can see the growth we've had to make in the last two weeks," Rausch said. "They look like seasoned veterans now." ... Coast Guard also lost to MIT in a heartbreaker the last time out, falling 22-16 on an MIT touchdown with 54 seconds remaining in regulation after a fumbled punt return gave MIT the ball at the Bears 17 . ... Coast Guard wide receiver Damaso Jaime (24 catches, 375 yards, 5 TDs) will also miss this game due to injury but is expected to play the season finale Nov. 16 against rival Merchant Marine . ... Coast Guard defeated WPI 24-10 last season behind three touchdowns from quarterback Ryan Jones, two passing and one rushing. ... Coast Guard wide receiver Justin Moffatt leads the NEWMAC with 57 catches. Linebacker Eugene Bizer leads the league with 89 tackles, defensive lineman Phil Orlando is best with eight sacks and the Bears defense is allowing 16 points per game, good for second in the conference .... Coast Guard went 2-0 to finish the season last year after its bye week, topping WPI and Merchant Marine.