GETTYSBURG, Pa.  – Perfection, Homecoming, and a tin cup. There are plenty of reasons to get excited about Saturday's showdown between Gettysburg College and Muhlenberg College at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.
 
Gettysburg (5-0, 4-0 CC) is perfect at the midpoint of the season for the second time in the last four years. Coming off the conference-wide bye week, the team is healed up and ready to continue its pursuit of perfection.
 
"I think it's good for both coaches and players," said Head Coach Barry Streeter when asked about the timing of the bye week. "I think it's good for players to just get away, relax, and take a breath. We talked about taking care of ourselves and seeing how much better we can get physically and mentally."
 
"It was definitely a good time to take advantage of the bye week from a physical standpoint," added senior tailback Kyle Wigley (Medford, N.J./Shawnee). "Mentally we have to treat it like another week and stay in the same routine we kept in the first half of the season."
 
The bye week gave Gettysburg an opportunity to take stock of the first half of what has been an outstanding season so far. In addition to an unbeaten record overall and in conference play, the Bullets lead the Centennial Conference in a number of offensive categories, including total offense (512.4 ypg) and rushing yardage (301.2 ypg). Despite the positive numbers, the Orange and Blue still have plenty of work to do this season.
 
"We don't talk about what we are," stated Streeter, who ranks seventh among active Division III coaches with 188 wins. "What I've said to them is your record doesn't count. They're going to determine how good you were at the end of the season. There are a lot of ways we can get a whole lot better and we will get better. We're trying to do that moment-by-moment this season."
 
Gettysburg has piled up 200 or more yards rushing three times this season, including a school-record 574 in the opener against Bridgewater College and 381 two weeks ago against McDaniel College. Wigley has played a major role, ranking second in the conference at 120.4 rushing yards per game. He's put up over 300 yards on the ground combined in the last two games, but he'll have his work cut out for him against the Mules. Muhlenberg currently paces the league with only 97.8 yards rushing allowed per game and the team hasn't allowed an individual 100-yard rusher all season.
 
"Our coaches do a great job of preparing us for the different schemes that we see," said Wigley. "Muhlenberg is a very good football team and our preparation and work during practice is definitely going to dictate what happens on the field. I think one of the keys is staying focused on the game that we have this week and taking every practice, every play, and every rep one at a time."
 
Adding to the atmosphere will be a large and boisterous Homecoming crowd. A sea of orange and blue typically fills the home side of the stands and this weekend should be no different. The Bullets have fed off that high level of energy in recent years and have won each of the last three contests on Homecoming.
 
"Homecoming is special here," noted Streeter. "Our players will go out and be successful after they leave here, but they'll never experience the same kind of atmosphere like they will experience this Saturday."
 
Gettysburg and Muhlenberg have met on the gridiron 79 times since the rivalry began in 1907. The Bullets lead the series 43-35-1, but the Mules have held the upper-hand of late, winning 12 of the last 15 meetings, including each of the last three.
 
The winner of Saturday's game will also gain ownership of the Old Tin Cup. The trophy has been passed between the institutions off-and-on since its creation in 1954. The Cup hasn't been a consistent staple in recent years, but the two sides wanted to add another element to what will surely be an exciting game this weekend.
 
"I don't care if we have a 100-yard rusher in that game or not," said Streeter. "If we have three guys with 80 yards, that's still a pretty good day. I know the kids will be excited. The other thing about our team is they play with a lot of energy."
 
"Our energy over the past five games has been great and I think the Homecoming atmosphere is just going to add to that," said Wigley. "It's going to be a lot of fun."
 
Opening kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to various Homecoming festivities, the newest members of Gettysburg's Hall of Athletic Honor will be recognized at halftime of the game.   

OPENING KICKOFF
Gettysburg and Muhlenberg renew the rivalry for the Old Tin Cup today at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium. The Bullets and Mules are meeting for the 80th time.
 
GAME COVERAGE
Saturday's game will feature live stats and live video courtesy of Stretch Internet. You can follow along on your computer or mobile device at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/gettysburg/.
 
THE COACHES
Barry Streeter enters his 37th season at the helm of Gettysburg's football program. Streeter is the longest-tenured active coach in Division III and his 188 wins place him seventh among active coaches. Streeter has led Gettysburg to three Centennial Conference championships (1983-85) and he has twice been named CC Coach of the Year. In 1985, he led the Bullets to the only undefeated regular season in school history (9-0-1) and an appearance in the national semifinals.
 
Mike Donnelly is the winningest coach in the history of Muhlenberg football with a career record of 126-71 in 19 seasons. He has led the Mules to seven conference titles and seven appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Donnelly led Muhlenberg to a perfect 10-0 regular season record in 2007 and last season he guided the team to the national playoffs for the first time in four seasons.  
 
THE SERIES
Gettysburg leads the all-time series with Muhlenberg 43-35-1. The match up was a consistent feature on the schedule until 1964. In 1981, the rivalry renewed and has been played every season since. The Mules have won the last three meetings 12 of the 15 meetings in the 2000s. Gettysburg's last win was a 14-10 win at Shirk Field in 2011.
 
LAST MEETING
Muhlenberg held Gettysburg to just 96 rushing yards in a 47-6 decision last fall. The Bullets managed just 266 yards of total offense with the Mules posting 10 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. Max Cepeda scored a pair of rushing touchdowns to start the game as Muhlenberg raced out to a 37-0 advantage midway through the third period. Zach Miller '15 connected with Fred Caruso '15 for the visitor's only tally in the third quarter. Miller finished 20-of-42 for 170 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Sam McDermott '16 (Newtown, Pa./Notre Dame (N.J.)) picked up 42 yards on five carries. Gordon Prince '15 and Kodie McNamara (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) each recorded 10 tackles to pace the defense. Nick Palladino threw three touchdown passes and Cepeda piled up 103 yards on 21 carries for the Mules.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Gettysburg used a 35-0 run to race past McDaniel 45-17 on Oct. 3. Senior Kyle Wigley  sparked the charge with a season-long 60-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as part of a career-high 184 rushing yards. Wigley scored two touchdowns in the game as Gettysburg racked up 381 yards on the ground. Sam McDermott completed 13-of-18 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 41 yards rushing. Senior Kevin McCarthy (Yardley, Pa./Notre Dame) hauled in four receptions for 55 yards and a score and junior Jordan Kelso (Cookstown, N.J./Bordentown Regional) added three catches for 51 yards and one TD. Junior Chris Miller (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) led the defense with 10 tackles. Senior Brian Calatozzo (Sewell, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) picked off a pair of passes in the win.
 
SCOUTING MUHLENBERG
Junior Ryan Delaney hauled in a 17-yard pass from junior Nick Palladino with 5:19 left to help Muhlenberg top Susquehanna 27-24 last time out. The Crusaders had taken a 24-20 lead following a field goal early in the fourth quarter before Palladino led a five-play, 80-yard drive to provide the winning score. Freshman Luke Willey provided the final blow with an interception on Susquehanna's final possession. Palladino finished 19-of-32 for 281 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 55 yards on 12 carries. Sophomore Max Cepeda led the ground game with 86 yards on 16 carries and added 57 receiving yards on three catches. Willey posted seven tackles and a forced fumble, while Sophomore Thomas Cosgriff contributed 2.5 tackles for a loss. Palladino ranks second in the conference in completion percentage (69.1) and third in both passing yardage (227.6 ypg) and passing touchdowns (12). The Mules have racked up more passing first downs (62) than anyone else in the conference. Muhlenberg is allowing only 97.8 rushing yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry.
 
GETTYSBURG OFFENSE
Gettysburg has climbed to the top of the conference in both total offense (512.4 ypg) and rushing offense (301.2). The Bullets also rank second in scoring offense (39.0 ppg) and passing efficiency (168.2). Quarterback Sam McDermott is tied for the conference lead and ranks sixth in the country with 15 touchdown passes. McDermott is also the top rushing QB in the conference at 73.4 yards per game. Tailback Kyle Wigley has climbed into second in the conference with 120.4 rushing yards per game. Junior Jordan Kelso leads all Centennial receivers with six touchdowns, while his 17.8 yards per reception ranks second in the league.  
 
GETTYSBURG DEFENSE
Gettysburg is allowing just 19.4 points per game, its lowest opponent scoring average since 2003 (18.9 ppg). The Bullets have been particularly stingy in the second half, allowing just 33 total points this season. Gettysburg's defense ranks third in the conference by allowing only 139.4 rushing yards per game. Senior Brian Calatozzo is tied for the national lead with five interceptions. His five picks are tied for the most by a Bullet since 2001. Senior linebacker Kodie McNamara ranks third in the conference with 10.4 tackles per game, while junior Chris Miller sits sixth (tied) at nine stops per outing.
 
GETTYSBURG SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bullets rank fourth in the country in net punting at 38.9 yards per punt. Senior Robby Fay (New Providence, N.J./New Providence) ranks second in the Centennial with 40.2 yards per punt and he has placed 11 of his punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Freshman Matt McFadden (Morristown, N.J./Morristown Beard) ranks second in Division III with 577 combined kick return yards. He leads all qualifying players in the conference with an average of 16.2 yards per punt return.
 
THE OLD TIN CUP
The Old Tin Cup was created as part of an elaborate ruse in 1954. Members from both school newspapers teamed with campus officials to create a legend centering around two brothers who played for the Bullets and Mules in 1911. While the story was fabricated, the rivalry developed an annual prize in the form of a Tin Cup to be given to the winner of the Gettysburg-Muhlenberg game. It's inclusion in the game has faded in and out over the decades since, but this weekend's match up will see the Cup at the center of the post-game festivities once again. 
 
HALL OF ATHLETIC HONOR
Five new members will be added to the Hall of Athletic Honor this weekend, including former football standout Craig Swanson '80. Swanson was an All-American on the defensive line and set the school's single-season record with 13 sacks in 1979. He finished his career with 192 tackles and a record 23 sacks. Swanson was also one of the program's first Academic All-Americans. Joining him as new members of the Hall are Horace Besecker '39 (wrestling), David Boynton '79 (golf), Kathy Kroupa '95 (softball, soccer), and Megan Lewis '99 (swimming). Additionally, the 1980 field hockey team - the first squad to win a national title in school history - will be recognized as a Team of Distinction.
 
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
The Bullets have been a common feature in weekly award releases this fall. Seniors Robby Fay (Sept. 13), Sam McDermott (Sept. 13), and Kyle Wigley (Oct. 4) and freshman Matt McFadden (Sept. 27) have all been honored as Centennial Conference Players of the Week. Additionally, McFadden was named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week as a special teams selection on Sept. 29.
 
PASSING EFFICIENCY
Senior quarterback Sam McDermott has thrown 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions this season, giving him a passer rating of 169.7. That stands as the third-best rating in program history behind only Frank Gagliardi '56 in 1953 (178.8) and Chris Adams '95 in 1994 (172.4). McDermott is only four touchdowns shy of Gettysburg's single-season mark held by Matt Flynn '10 and Adams.
 
HOT START
Gettysburg is 5-0 for the second time in the last 28 years. The 2012 team went 5-0 before falling to Muhlenberg (35-31) and Johns Hopkins (49-35) in back-to-back weeks. The last time the Bullets won the first six games of the season was in 1987.
 
GAINING GROUND
Senior tailback Kyle Wigley rushed for a career-high 184 yards against McDaniel. It was his ninth career 100-yard rushing game and third this season. When Wigley gains 100 or more yards, Gettysburg has posted a record of 7-2. He is averaging a career-high 120.4 rushing yards this season, which ranks second in the Centennial and is the highest by a Bullet since Tom Sturges '08 averaged 142.7 in 2007.
 
BRAINS AND BRAUN
Senior Kodie McNamara was recently named a semifinalist for the coveted William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the top scholar-athlete in all of college football. McNamara was one of 27 Division III student-athletes and one of three from the Centennial Conference. The senior linebacker is having a career year with a team-high 52 tackles to go with one sack, three tackles for a loss, and three pass break-ups. He has also climbed into third on Gettysburg's career list with 341 career tackles.  
 
HAPPY 50TH!
Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium is celebrating its 50th year of competition this season. With former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in attendance, the stadium was dedicated prior to the game against Bucknell on Sept. 25, 1965. The venue has witnessed the transition to NCAA Division III, the rise of the Centennial Conference, and dozens of conference titles. In addition to football, the field is the home venue for field hockey, men's lacrosse, and men's and women's track and field. In 2003, the field received a makeover and was named in honor of Dick Shirk '67, captain of the 1966 team that won the Lambert Memorial Cup as the best small college team in the East.