The Muskingum University football team will travel to Ohio Athletic Conference foe Baldwin Wallace University for their Community Day on Saturday, September 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
This marks the 56th meeting between the two squads with the Yellow Jackets leading the overall series, 13-41-2.
The game will be broadcast live on WMCO 90.7 FM and simulcast on the Muskie Sports Network located on the Muskingum athletic web site beginning with the pregame show at 1:45 p.m. The Muskies enter the contest with 499 program wins, one shy of the 500-win milestone.
The Fighting Muskies (0-2, 0-1) will look to rebound after dropping their home opener against top-ranked University of Mount Union, 37-0.
Baldwin Wallace (1-1, 0-1) enters the ballgame after falling to John Carroll University, 27-7.
The Muskie offense, which averages almost 233 yards and 8.5 points per game, is led by sophomore quarterback C.J. Snider.
Snider, a dual-threat, has thrown for 204 yards and one touchdown as well as rushed for 114 yards and one score. Snider currently ranks sixth in the conference for total yards.
Along with Snider, senior running back Shane Dotson is counted on to ignite the Muskie rushing attack. Dotson has carried the pigskin 25 times for 87 yards.
The aerial threats are senior two-time All-OAC receiver James Washington and senior tight end Wes Rataiczak.
Washington, who ranks third all-time at Muskingum with 1,667 receiving yards, is ranked seventh in the conference with 11 receptions, for 144 yards and one score. He is only 299 yards shy of breaking the career receiving record held by former Muskie and current Purdue University Head Coach, Darrell Hazel.
Rataiczak has caught five passes for 48 yards.
Muskingum defense leads the league in total turnovers forced (5) and ranks seventh in rushing defense (143 ypg). The tough nose unit is led by junior linebacker Damond Goggins and sophomore safety Ethan Jones.
Goggins ranks 22nd in the OAC with 13 tackles, while Jones has made 11 stops and one pass breakup.
Also aiding the Muskie defense is senior defensive lineman Luke Weber and freshman defensive back Tyler Lancaster. Weber has notched 10 stops, including one tackle for loss. Lancaster has contributed 11 tackles and one interception.
Muskingum special teams are guided by senior kicker Caleb Carpenter and freshman punter Samuel Green. Carpenter has connected on a 32-yard field goal and is averaging 59 yards per kickoff. Green has punted 15 times, averaging 37.9 yards, with a long of 47.
The Yellow Jacket offense, which averages 355 yards and 29.5 points per game, is led by junior signal-caller Michael Slack. Slack has thrown for 237 yards and two scores, while rushing for 129 yards and one touchdown.
Aiding the ground game is junior running back Nolan Sordyl, who's rushed for 85 yards and two scores.
Junior receiver Javon Burks and senior receiver Kevin Johnson help anchor the aerial attack for the Yellow Jacket offense. Burks has three receptions for 100 yards and one score, while Johnson has grabbed four passes for 39 yards.
The Yellow Jacket defense, which allows 376 yards and yields 29 points per game, is led by senior linebacker David Flegal and junior defensive back Nelson Candelario. Flegal has 23 stops on the season, which ranks second best in the conference. Candelario has notched 18 tackles and one pass breakup.
Senior kicker Chris Mohler and senior punter Matt Harmon aid the special teams unit. Mohler has booted a 24-yard field goal and made all eight extra point attempts. Harmon has punted six times, averaging 41.3 yards, with a long of 47.