LA PLUME, Pa.- The Keystone College football team begins its third season of NCAA play this Saturday as they host former ECFC opponent Gallaudet University at the Keystone College Turf Field at 12 p.m.

This year marks the first season that Keystone will be competing as an associate member in the Landmark Conference. The Landmark Conference is entering its inaugural season with collegiate football.

Keystone

The Keystone College Giants concluded the 2022 season with a 3-7 record (3-3 ECFC). The Giants were 3-1 in their last four games.

Keystone brings back tons of experience on both sides of the ball. On the offensive side, Mujaheed Muhammad (Philadelphia, Pa./Paul Robeson), a two-time first team all-conference running back, rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last season. In addition to Muhammad, Keystone returns Reese Karp (Pen Argyl, Pa./Pen Argyl), Josh Moore (Clinton, Md./Wise), and James Campos (Tampa, Fla./Thomas R. Proctor) who all earned ECFC postseason honors.

Defensively, Keystone returns two all-conference defensive backs in Joe Manfredo (Levittown, N.Y./General Douglas MacArthur) and Sean Pettway (Ellenville, N.Y./Ellenville). Manfredo led the Giants in 2022 in interceptions. Other big names on Keystone's defense include Dontez Crawford (Baltimore, Md./Pennsauken) who enjoyed a solid year at cornerback. Ali Mendoza (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken) and Elijah Washington (Lawrence, N.Y./Lawrence) are weapons on Keystone's veteran defensive line.

Jayson Nami (Freehold Township, N.J./Freehold Township) was dominant as a kick returner as he posted 640 yards on kickoff returns which included a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Gallaudet

The 2022 ECFC champion Gallaudet University Bison returns to La Plume to take on the Giants. Gallaudet finished 7-3 (5-1 ECFC) last year and earned ECFC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

Gallaudet's offense had a stellar year on the ground as they were top-10 in Division III in rushing yards per game. The Bison returned their top two rushers in Brandon Washington and Dre'Vaughn Mackall. Washington, the reigning ECFC Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 955 yards and eight touchdowns.

 Gallaudet defeated Keystone 52-44 last season in a high scoring contest. The game consisted of 831 yards of total offense as Mackall rushed for 142 yards and scored twice in the victory.

What's Next

The Giants will travel to Hartwick College next Saturday, Sept. 9 for a 1 p.m. game with the Hawks.