WEEK ONE GAME NOTES

SEASON PREVIEW
A new opponent and a mid-season bye week highlight the schedule for the 2019 Heidelberg Football program, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Scott Donaldson. The Student Princes, who look to improve upon 2018's 5-5 record, have graduated a wealth of talent … but are excited about student-athletes stepping in to fill the void.

"As we are each and every year, my staff is optimistic about the group of returners and the corps of incoming first-year student athletes," said Donaldson. "The mark of a strong program is having guys chomping at the bit ready to step into the spotlight … and I think we have a lot of those guys in our locker room."

Offensively, Maceo Matthews and Keivon Belcher return as key weapons at receiver. Branden Short and Jace Grossman return as the main options in the backfield. Brad Wienhold and Malakye Nall return to help bolster the o-line for offensive coordinator Jason Lewis. Tight end Nick Cofer has shown play-making abilities with his blocking and receiving.

The biggest question mark for The Berg is at quarterback. Losing 2018 starter Trace Reynolds (now on staff as a graduate assistant) to graduation, HU will likely turn first to Jimmy Gephardt. In place of an injured Reynolds, Gephardt was 22-for-28 for 276 yards and threw four touchdowns in a Week 10 win over Ohio Northern.

"We'll look to get back to a traditional pro-style offense in 2019," said Donaldson. "I think we'll have a balanced attack … with speed out wide and punishing runners in the backfield, we will look to move the ball effectively."

Defensively, Heidelberg returns all five players up front – including Matt Davenport and Zach Blackiston, a first team All-OAC honoree as a freshman. Defensive coordinator Branden Jakubcin will turn to Tyler Matuszak and Elijah Brechbill as his on-field generals in the linebacking corps and secondary.

"Obviously, our strength on the defensive side lies with the guys up front," said Donaldson. "With the depth we have, we will be able to rotate guys in and out to create a more effective rush."

The graduation of All-American Austin Baker signals a casting call for the punting and place-kicking duties.

"Probably our biggest challenge heading into camp will be to find the right guy or guys to fill Austin's shoes," said Donaldson. "It's never easy to replace a starter – let alone a record-setting All-American."

AROUND THE LEAGUE
Around the league, all ten Ohio Athletic Conference schools will kickoff the 2019 campaign with non-conference matchups before entering the ever-tough OAC schedule.

Capital will open the season with a Thursday night affair away to Westminster at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, just three schools will host their non-conference game. Muskingum welcomes Waynesburg and John Carroll hosts Wisconsin-Stevens Point, with both games kicking off at 1:30 p.m. Also hosting is Wilmington who will play Olivet College at 7 p.m.

On the road, Otterbein makes the short trip to Ohio Wesleyan at 2 p.m., Heidelberg travels to Adrian for a 6 p.m. kick, and at 7 p.m., Marietta meets Hiram, Ohio Northern heads to Denison and Mount Union ventures to Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute, Indiana.

JIMMY FOOTBALL
• Senior QB will make his second career start
• First start: 276 yds on 22-of-28 passing, including four touchdowns
• Both parents are Heidelberg alums

THE BOOK OF MATTHEWS
• Junior WR Maceo Matthews had a career day in the Week 10 win over ONU
• Career highs with nine receptions, 195 yards and three touchdowns

CARRY THE LOAD
• RBs Branden Short and Jace Grossman emerged from camp as the top two options in the backfield
• The duo combined for 650 yards rushing and eight touchdowns

RETURN GAME
• DB Mike Warden and DL Verondtae Wilkinson are back in pads after missing the 2018 season
• Warden was part of the 2019 Heidelberg baseball team which advanced to the NCAA Division III World Series

BACK IN BLACKISTON
• Zach Blackiston was the lone freshman named to the All-OAC First Team and is a preseason All-American
• Blackiston was 12th in the nation with 1.15 sacks per game

PS: IF THIS IS AUSTIN ...
• Perhaps the biggest question mark heading into 2019 is at the specialist position
• Two-time All-American Austin Baker led the nation in punting in 2018, and handled placekicking duties

WEEK ONE REDUX
• Heidelberg has won two straight season openers and 10 of its last 12 Week One games
• All-time, HU is 64-53-6 in 123 season lid-lifters

LAST TIME vs. ADRIAN
• The Berg and the Bulldogs last met on the gridiron to start the 2005 season
• Adrian emerged with a 61-14 win at home
• Bulldogs QB Randy Hutchison threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns and running back Chris Clay rushed for 114 yards and three TDs
• Heidelberg utilized three QBs in the game -- Bryan Prorok, Steve West and Shawn Martien

STAY CONNECTED
• Catch The Scott Donaldson Show on the Thursday before each game of the season -- live at Berg Bistro 1850 and on WTTF AM-1600 and 93.3 FM
• Coach Donaldson was the first guest on the new web series, Coaches on Campus Getting Coffee
• The web series an be seen at Youtube.com/BergSportsInfo
• Follow us on Twitter: @BergAthletics @BergFootball