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Friday, September 22, 2000

This already has been a season with surprises of varying degrees for Geneva.

The biggest shocker might be Geneva's 3-0 record and No. 5 ranking in the NAIA.

Geneva, winner of nine games in a row, should have little trouble tomorrow at Iowa Wesleyan (0-2), which has been outscored, 128-18.

Let the Golden Tornadoes count the ways for their success:

"Jeremy Lacaria has progresed faster than we anticipated," Coach Geno DeMarco said of the redshirt sophomore quarterback from Peters Township. "He's been around the offense for two years, that's helped."

Lacaria, who played sparingly last year, has completed 50 percent of his passes for 484 yards and five touchdowns. He has rushed for three touchdowns.

Sophomore running back Steve Day (Hopewell) has emerged as the team's leading rusher with 253 yards. "Day really has been a pleasant surprise," DeMarco said. "He's injury free for the first time in his college career."

The projected starter was Kelly Lennox, a transfer from West Virginia University, who has been hampered by injuries and is out 3-4 weeks with a shoulder separation.

The defense is faster and more aggressive than in recent seasons, thanks in part to freshman strong safety Kris Griffin of Rochester.

"I really felt he'd be a top player in NAIA, but we didn't know it would happen this soon," DeMarco said. "He's one of the reasons we're able to do some of the things we're doing."

Geneva has allowed 97 yards rushing on 97 carries and 199 total yards per game. Opponents are scoring 17 points per game compared to 24 last season.

"All our marquee players used to be on offense," DeMarco said. "We are recruiting better personnel on defense. This is more the kind of team I like: A balanced offense and a defense that can stop the run."

Marist (1-1) at Duquesne (3-0), 1:30 p.m. -- Duquesne quarterback Tony Zimmerman has thrown for 51 touchdowns and needs two more to break the career school record of 52 set by Dave Loya (1994-97). Loya set the record in 40 games. This will be Zimmerman's 26th. ... Duquesne wide receiver Yardon Brantley, who had six catches for 118 yards in a 21-20 victory over Fairfield, was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week for the second time. ... Duquesne has won the past five games against Marist, including 31-0 last season. ... Dukes have won seven in a row overall.

Edinboro (1-2) at Slippery Rock (2-1), 2 p.m. -- Slippery Rock has won 19 consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference games and 35 regular-season games in a row against NCAA Division II opponents. ... Lou Tepper (former head coach at Illinois) won his first game at Edinboro last week as the Fighting Scots defeated Mercyhurst, 14-6. Edinboro's Bernard Henry rushed for a career-high 263 yards and two touchdowns and was named PSAC West offensive player of the week.

Allegheny (1-2) at Denison (0-2), 1:30 p.m. -- Allegheny has won 13 consecutive games against Denison. ... Allegheny's Shane Ream leads the North Coast Athletic Conference in rushing (162.7 yards per game) and scoring (16 ppg) and LaMarcus Thurman leads in receiving yards (117 per game).

Washington and Jefferson (2-0) at Hanover (1-1), 2:30 p.m. -- W&J quarterback Brian Dawson (Thomas Jefferson) passed for 307 yards and a school-record six touchdowns -- all in the first half -- in the 53-12 victory over Randolph-Macon last week. Dawson didn't play the second half. ... W&J, ranked 12th in NCAA Division III by the American Football Coaches Association, has scored 107 points

Gallaudet (0-2) at Bethany (3-0), 1:30 p.m. -- No. 24 Bethany, off to its best start since 1995, has won six in a row and is ranked for the first time in Division III.