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Centennial Conference Athletics

Muhlenberg College Mules

 

Head Coach Mike Donnelly

Donnelly (Ithaca ‘75) is the winningest football coach in school history with a 98-61 record in 15 seasons … he was named Centennial Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2010 and South Region Coach of the Year by the AFCA in 2007 … his Mule teams have won seven Conference titles and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament twice (2002, 2007).

Lettermen Returning/Lost: 34/20
Offensive System: Multiple
Defensive System: 3-4

 Offensive Preview

Starters Returning (7)
QB-Dan Deighan, Sr.
RB-Terrence Dandridge, Sr.
WR-Marcus Toomey, Sr.
WR-Isaiah Vaughn, Sr.
TE-Michael Long, Soph.
OG-Garrett Bisbing, Sr.
OT-Frank Malandruccolo, Sr.

The Mules welcome back three-year starter Dan Deighan at quarterback ... he is fifth on the all-time Muhlenberg total offense list with 4,344 yards ... Deighan threw for 1,330 yards and 10 scores last fall ... classmate Terrence Dandridge is one of the top running backs in the Conference ... he earned honorable mention All-CC honors after running for 741 yards a year ago and is fourth on the 'Berg career list with 2,314 yards in three seasons ... senior J.T. Merklinger added 379 yards and four TDs last season while also catching 22 balls for 227 yards out of the backfield ... Muhlenberg has two of the top deep threats in the CC in seniors Marcus Toomey and Isaiah Vaughn ... Toomey averaged 19.4 yards on 20 catches with three scores, while Vaughn averaged 22 yards on 10 receptions ... soph Tyler George added 18 catches for 157 yards, while classmate Michael Long started all 10 games at TE ... seniors Frank Malandruccolo and Garrett Bisbing are the headliners on the offensive line, while junior Robert Municchi will contend for a starting berth.

 Defensive Preview

Starters Returning (2)
LB-Ian Gimbar, Soph.
S-Shane O'Connor, Sr.

Muhlenberg's defense was among the nation's best again last season, placing ninth in scoring (12.8) and 36th in total defense (298.5) ... it was the 11th consecutive season that the Mules have held opponents under 300 yards per game ... with just two returning starters, 'Berg will be challenged to keep that streak alive in 2012 ... junior Andrew Tullo and sophomore Greg DeLade, who had five sacks as a rookie, will lead the defensive front ... soph Ian Gimbar started seven games at linebacker with 37 tackles ... he'll be joined by junior Kory Crichton ... seniors Shane O'Connor and Tim Vogel are the leaders of the secondary ... O'Connor had 46 tackles in nine starts, while Vogel picked off three passes as did junior Richard Reid.

Special Teams Preview

Starters Returning (1)
P-Dan Deighan, Sr.
P-Connor Winter, Soph.

Deighan and Connor Winter shared the punting duties last season ... Winter averaged 35.1 yards, while Deighan averaged 32.4 yards ... Winter may take over the place-kicking duties as well.

 

2012 Outlook

Since 2000, the Mules have finished first or second in the Conference standings nine times, so one knows to never count Muhlenberg out ... the 'Berg defensive scheme has always been tough to solve and with the return of talented skill position players on offense, Muhlenberg will be in the hunt for a ninth Centennial crown in November.

 

The Scotty Wood stadium includes a playing field resurfaced with AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D in 2008, an eight-lane all-weather track, bleacher seating for 3,000, lighting and a scoreboard and press box. The facility, the first of its kind in the Lehigh Valley, is home to the Mule field hockey, football, lacrosse and outdoor track teams.

Dedicated at the 1999 football home opener, the complex bears the name of two of the most beloved figures in Muhlenberg’s athletic history, both of whom were inducted into the Muhlenberg Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. The stadium is named in honor of the late Milton W. "Scotty" Wood, founder of food service giant Wood Dining Services. The field is named for the late Frank Marino, who coached football from 1970 to 1980, men’s lacrosse from 1968 to 1977 and volleyball from 1988 to 1995. 

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