Edinboro Football Preview: Head Coach Jake Nulph and More
Head coach Jake Nulph, offensive lineman Gabe Hulslander and linebacker Toby Cline give a preview of the 2024 season for the Edinboro football team.
Edinboro football was inexperienced in 2023.
Injuries forced younger players into unexpected roles, but what hampered the Fighting Scots last year could benefit them this season.
Many of these unexpected regulars will be back in 2024. Also back are several key players whose injuries had led to changes in the lineup.
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The Fighting Scots finished sixth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West. Fourth-year head coach Jake Nulph hopes that health and experience will help Edinboro have its first winning season since his arrival.
Here are five things you should know about Edinboro football in 2024.
The wealth of experience returns
By the middle of last season, Edinboro had lost 12 regular players.
Their defense was particularly shaky, allowing an average of just 34 points per game. However, top tackler CJ Waldier returns at linebacker, as does standout Wilfredo Diaz, who was injured last season.
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“Some of the problems on defense were due to injuries and lack of experience,” Nulph said. “Either way, we accept it and own it. First things first: We have to stop the defensive run and make teams one-dimensional.”
Toby Cline will lead an experienced secondary at safety and Nulph is encouraged by the new additions to his defensive line.
“Bringing back an experienced group is a big challenge, communicating a lot and understanding our keys, lining up properly will help us a lot,” said Cline, a junior. “We want to lose the ball, limit points and give our offense more opportunities to score.”
New offensive coordinator
EJ White replaces Rich DeMaio as Edinboro’s offensive coordinator.
White comes from Division III Husson University (ME), where his Eagles led the nation in pass completion percentage a year ago. A new playmaker will add some new flair, but don’t expect the Scots to deviate from their physical, balanced attack.
“Coach White has the same beliefs as us, which are physicality and the right tone in the running game,” senior lineman Gabe Hulslander said. “We have a few different nuances here and there, but fundamentally it’s the same offense and the same type of personnel.”
Edinboro finished 12th in scoring out of 16 PSAC teams last season, 6th in passing yards and 14th in rushing.
“Coach White believes philosophically in the same things we believe in here: physicality and ball control,” Nulph said. “I think we’re going to be extremely balanced and that his version of the offense is going to put our playmakers in a position to make plays.”
Three-headed QB battle
Isaac Bernard and Matt Carlisle each attempted more than 100 passes last season.
Both return. They joined Bo Swartz in a three-way competition for the starting quarterback position at Edinboro.
Bernard, a redshirt senior from Miami, Florida, completed 61% of his pass attempts for 1,434 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions last season. Carlisle, a redshirt junior from Baltimore, Ohio, completed 52% of his passes for 544 yards, three TDs and three INTs.
Schwartz, a redshirt sophomore from Rural Valley, impressed at spring ball.
“We have experience in this area and it was a fun competition,” Nulph said. “Whoever comes in Week 1, I know they will be prepared.”
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Managers on the line
Hulslander is another key Scot who missed most of 2023 through injury. His replacement, Aaron Crooms, returns with important experience, as does returning regular Dylan McWilliams.
This means Edinboro has three returning starters who will strengthen the offense.
“It all starts with us,” said Hulslander, who was named All-Conference in 2022. “The three of us play a lot of games and we also bring in some new players. I think our leadership brings them along.”
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Hard opening plan
Edinboro welcomes East Stroudsburg on August 29 for the first night game at Sox-Harrison Stadium during Nulph’s tenure. They will unveil the complex’s new turf, which features unique checkered end zones.
The Fighting Scots face a difficult first month.
After hosting East Stroudsburg, a PSAC playoff team last year, they travel to DI Robert Morris. Two weeks later, they visit defending PSAC champion Kutztown.
“We’re about to find out how good we are, but honestly that’s how we want it,” Nulph said. “This is the deepest roster we’ve had since I’ve been here, so I’m really excited.”
Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @realjuveino.
