ABOUT THE GAME

• Millersville begins play against PSAC opponents Saturday at noon as Gannon comes to Biemesderfer Stadium. It is only the fifth-ever meeting between the two programs.
• While Millersville is coming off a 28-10 season-opening loss at Saint Anselm, Charleston turned in one of the PSAC's most complete performances in the week one 47-13 dismantling of Charleston. Gannon led all PSAC teams in rushing yards, and its defense recorded the most sacks in the league.
• The Marauders went 1-2 in its three games against PSAC West teams in 2021 and are 6-33 against the West since the three crossover games became mandated in 2008. The Marauders have not won a home game against a PSAC West team since the 2015 season finale, which was a 31-21 win over Edinboro.
• The Marauder Concert Series and Tailgaiting Zone returns for the 2022 season. Live music and a bounce house opens in the designated tailgating area 2 ½ hours before kickoff. There is a $5 charge to park in the tailgating zone. RV requests must be made 24 hours in advance of the game.

SCOUTING THE MARAUDERS

• The final score may have been 28-10, but the opener between Millersville and Saint Anselm was far closer. Millersville trailed 7-3 and was receiving the ball on a punt late in the third quarter, when a fumble gave Saint Anselm prime field position for a touchdown. Millersville missed a field goal on the next drive and turned the ball over on downs in in Saint Anselm territory before the Hawks scored two late touchdowns.
• Among Millersville's highlights was the rushing of quarterback Jack Stagaard. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry and totaled 78 rushing yards despite being sacked six times for 53 yards in losses. Taking away the sacks, Millersville rushed 24 times for 159 yards. Stagaard had a career-long rush of 53 yards.
• Linebacker Garrett Cox stood out with a career-high 14 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. It was Cox's third career game with double-digit tackles. His 14 tackles were the second-most in the PSAC in week one. Cox tied for the league-lead in tackles for loss, and only Gannon's Obi Ezeigbo had more sacks than Cox
• Chase Alisauckas also registered a key third-down sack in the second half, bringing his career total to 9 1/2. Cornerback Imir Lilliston broke up three passes. Tyler Tate, who totaled 11 sacks last season, did not get home for a sack, but his presence was still felt. He was credited for three QB hurries. 
• Prior to last week's game, Millersville announced its six team captains. Isaiah Onuschak, Tyler Tate and Steve Sweeney represent the defense, and Anthony Butler, Mekhi Alexander and Michael Bennett represent the offense. Onuschak, Tate, Butler and Alexander are now two-time captains. 
   

SCOUTING THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

• Head coach Erik Raeburn earned his 150th career win in week one, and it certainly was an impressive all-around showing for his Golden Knights. Gannon is coming off a 5-6 season in 2021. They present an entirely different challenge to the Marauders than what Saint Anselm presented in week one. While Saint Anselm attempted 42 passes and rushed just 19 times, Gannon attempted just 20 passes and rushed 42 times.
• Millersville held Saint Anselm to just 36 yards rushing in week one. Gannon, meanwhile, piled up 232 yards at 5.5 yards per carry in its first game. No other team in the PSAC rushed for 200 yards in week one. Melvin Banks ran for 113 and Antonio Wright rushed for 109. QB Kory Curtis is a two-way threat. He only totaled 12 yards rushing but ran for two touchdowns. He was also efficient in his 20 passes, completing 12 for 164 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to his rushing, Banks caught a 63 yards pass. Sam East caught two TD passes as well.
• Millersville must shore up its pass protection against Gannon after allowing six sacks in the opener. Gannon sacked Charleston seven times.
• Chris Farnsworth was named the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week after leading the team with 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass break-up.

SERIES HISTORY

• Millersville has played football for more than 125 years and Gannon's program started in 1949, but the two teams did not play until 2010 and have played just four times total. Saturday marks the first meeting between the teams since 2017, when Gannon won 39-7 at Biemesderfer Stadium. Gannon has won the last three games, holding Millersville to no more than 14 points while scoring at least 31 in those games. Millersville's one win in the series was a memorable one. It came at Biemesderfer Stadium in 2010 by a 29-26 score. Millersville scored 15 fourth-quarter points to rally for the victory. The final TD drive totaled nine plays for 82 yards and chewed up 2:29. QB Bill Shirk gave the Marauders the lead with a one-yard run, and then converted the two-point conversion with a pass to Jamal Smith. Shirk threw for 423 yards in the game, and Smith piled up 252 receiving yards, setting a single-game Millersville record that still stands. 
• THE LAST MEETING (Gannon 39, Millersville 7 (Nov. 11, 2017): Marc Jones, the leading rusher in Division II, clinched his season rushing crown with 188 yards and Gannon's defense picked off Stephen Flanagan three times to deal a 39-7 defeat.

THE LAST TIME OUT

• Millersville: Saint Anselm 28, Millersville 10  (Sept. 1, 2022) -  Saint Anselm's 28-10 victory over Millersville in the season opener came down to capitalizing on a few, precious opportunities. The homestanding Hawks stuffed the Marauders twice in the red zone, while two explosive plays and one Marauder special team miscue provided the Hawks with all the points they needed. Millersville linebacker Garrett Cox recorded a career-high 14 tackles and two sacks. Chase Alisauckas also registered a sack. 
• Gannon: Gannon 47. Charleston 13 (Sept. 2, 2022) - Kory Curtis passed for three touchdowns, rushed for two, kicked four extra points and served as the team's punter. Melvin Banks and Antonio Wright both rushed for 100 yards while the Gannon defense limited Charleston to 41 yards rushing. Gannon also totaled seven tacks vs. a team that went 8-2 a season ago.