Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College football team will kickoff the 2015 season on Saturday, September 5, when The College at Brockport invades the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.
 
What: Brockport (0-0) at Oberlin College (0-0)
When: Saturday, September 5, 1 p.m.
Where: Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex – Bailey Field
Radio: AM-1320 WOBL – Brian Deitz (p-b-p) Don Vincent (color)
Online Coverage: Live Stats l Live Video l Live Audio
 
Series Information …
Saturday's season-opening contest will be just third meeting between the two schools … Brockport defeated the Yeomen 48-15 in the season finale of the 1988 season and also took down the Yeomen in the season opener last year 45-10.
 
Last Time Out for Oberlin…
The Yeomen concluded the 2014 season, falling 35-13 on the road to Hiram College en route to finishing the year with a record of 2-8 … The Yeomen ended the season having lost their final four games … The lone bright spot of the finale came from Justin Cruz, who caught two touchdowns to become the school's single-season leader with 11 receiving touchdowns.
 
Scouting the Golden Eagles …
Brockport is coming off a 5-5 season, having lost their final three games of the year … The Golden Eagles averaged 394 yards and 28 points per game and allowed 27 points per game… Junior Dan Andrews is back as the team's top rusher as he totaled 1,106 yards and nine scores a year ago, however, the Yeomen held him to his second lowest total of the season as he gained just 56 yards on 12 carries … In last year's battle, Yeomen were victimized through the air, allowing 371 yards … Defensively, Oberlin will have to account for senior defensive end Tarik Bennett who was a D3football.com All-East Region second-team selection and Empire 8 first-team honoree as he registered 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss.
 
Oberlin in Openers …
Prior to last season's 45-10 loss to Brockport, the Yeomen had won four consecutive week-one games … In 2013 the Yeomen defeated Case Western Reserve 19-2 … The week-one winning streak started in 2010 with a 29-26 overtime win over Kenyon … The following season the Yeomen beat the Lords 42-0 and in 2012 they kicked off the year with a 33-3 triumph over Earlham College.
 
Welcoming Back the Wounded …
The Yeomen were plagued with a rash of injuries in 2014 that prematurely ended the season for a number of key contributors … Offensively, the Yeomen are thankful for the healthy return of starting running backs Justin Williams and Blake Buckhannon, who each played in just five games … On defensive side, starting safety Adrian Kelly and starting lineman C.J. Ihle are back and ready to make an impact … Ihle played in just two games, while Kelly went down in the fifth game.
 
Still Searching …
The Yeomen are still looking for their first-ever win on the Bailey Field Turf, having gone winless at home in 2014.
 
Need a Plan 'B' …
Junior wide out Justin Cruz had an amazing 2014 season, catching 64 balls for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns … The All-NCAC Second-Team selection accounted for over 56-percent of the Yeomen's receiving yards and caught 11 of the team's 14 TDs  ... However, the Yeomen will need to find another option this year … As rookies, Corey Fussinger (205 yards) and Trace McConnell (226 yards) combined for 431 yards and two scores … They, along with fellow sophomore Federico Consuegra will need to raise their level of play to be a more reliable targets for the Yeomen quarterbacks.
 
Putting it All Together …
Senior quarterback Lucas Poggiali is poised to end his Yeomen career on a high note … Having had a different offensive coordinator in each of his four years, the Sandusky, Ohio, native has battled inconsistencies throughout his career, but has also shown signs of greatness … Last season he threw for 1,408 yards and 14 touchdowns, but completed just 48.7-percent of his passes … He will be looking for redemption from last season's performance against Brockport when he was held to 27 yards on 7-of-19 passing.
 
The Coaching Carousel …
The Yeomen coaching staff has been totally revamped … Second-year Head Coach Jay Anderson has brought in six new coaches, headlined by offensive coordinator Keith Grabowski, who is one of the most creative coaches in NCAA Division III … Quarterbacks Coach Matt Coyne, Special Teams and Linebackers Coach Ben Lolli, Defensive Line Coach Brett Smyers, Running Backs Coach James Flowers and Defensive Backs Coach Mike Hayes will all be making their Oberlin debuts on Saturday.