Complete Game Notes (.pdf)

Waynesburg (0-0) at Muskingum (0-0)

When: Saturday, Aug. 31

Where: New Concord, Ohio (McGonagha Stadium)

Radio: 99.5-FM WCYJ (Webcast can be heard at www.waynesburgsports.com)
 
TV: None
 
Livestats/Video: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/musk.portal#

Series Breakdown
All-Time Series: Muskingum leads 7-6

First Meeting: 1904 – Muskingum 33-5

Last Meeting: 2007 – Waynesburg 28-10

Things to Watch For
*- Despite trailing in the all-time series, Waynesburg has won the last two contests pitting them against Muskingum. The Jackets downed the Muskies 16-7 back in 1987
 
*- With 2012 being his eighth at the helm of the Waynesburg football team, head coach Rick Shepas is the third-longest tenured Yellow Jacket head man. His 39 wins also rank third, while his .550 winning percentage is fourth-best in the program's history.
 
*- During their 4-0 start to the 2011 season, Muskingum was powered by its stingy, veteran defense. With eight returners back, that unit doesn't appear to be heading for much of a drop-off. Last year, the Muskies ranked third in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in scoring defense (18.3 ppg), second in rush defense (100.6 ypg) and third in total defense (318.3 ypg). The Red and Black also yielded the fewest first downs in the OAC (178) and finished second on the season in sacks (37). The Waynesburg defense was no slouch when it came to getting to the opposing quarterbacks, as the Jackets paced the PAC with 30 quarterback takedowns.
 
*- Both Waynesburg and Muskingum got to play the role of giant killer in 2011, with each team taking down a top-10 nationally ranked opponent in conference play. The Yellow Jackets snapped several long winning streaks for Thomas More, when they took down the then-sixth-ranked Saints 26-23 on Saturday, Nov. 5. Prior to Waynesburg's big win, the Muskies shocked Ohio Northern, which was ranked ninth nationally on Sept. 24, by the final score of 27-7.
 
*- Which team performs better inside the 20-yard line could have the edge in Saturday's season-opener. Both Waynesburg and Muskingum led their respective conferences in red zone defense last season, with the Yellow Jackets giving up points on 60 percent of their opponents' possessions inside the 20 (21 touchdowns) and the Muskies allowing scores on 60.6 of their defensive possessions (15 touchdowns).