Oct. 21, 2006

Stats

HILLSDALE, Mich. - Richard Stokes rushed for 129 of Mercyhurst's season-high 175 yards, but it was not enough as Hillsdale defended its home field with a 40-21 win over the Lakers.

Mercyhurst (2-6, 2-6 GLIAC) rushed for 5.8 yards per carry in the game, but Hillsdale (4-4, 4-4 GLIAC) rushed for 312 yards, led by Phil Martin with 135.

Mitch Phillis was intercepted on each of the Lakers' first two possessions, and the Chargers turned both miscues into touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

Mercyhurst answered back in the second quarter with 12:10 remaining when Phillis hit Dan Salupo to cap a nine-play, 76-yard drive with a three yard touchdown pass. Phil Scanlon's extra point failed and Hillsdale led by eight. Stokes carried six times on the drive, with five runs of at least seven yards.

Roger McClinton intercepted Mark Nicolet on the next possession and returned the ball to the Hillsdale 26. Faced with fourth and four from the Charger 15, Mercyhurst elected to go for it and a pass to David Lough fell incomplete.

Hillsdale took the ball 84 yards on eight plays to take a commanding 21-6 lead. Martin finished the drive with an eight-yard run to finish the scoring in the first half.

The Chargers stuck first in the third period, scoring on their first possession. Martin had a 57-yard run for the Chargers to move the ball to the Mercyhurst six and three plays later, Brett Neller scored. Bryan Kelly blocked the extra point and Hillsdale led 27-6.

After Mercyhurst failed on a fourth and five at the Hillsdale 11, Mark Petro kicked a 31 yard field goal to cap a 12-play, 75-yard march.

Joe Laffey entered the game at quarterback for Mercyhurst and completed all three of his passes on the first drive as the Lakers pulled to within 30-14. Laffey hit Brandon Hill for 18 yards and a touchdown, then found Mark Watson for the two-point conversion.

Vinnie Panizzi scored from three yards out as Hillsdale rushed all nine times on its next possession to take a 37-14 lead with 7:25 left in the game.

Mercyhurst got its final score on its next drive. Stokes scored on a 13-yard run with a cutback at the five to dodge the final Charger defender.

Petro added a 23-yard field goal with 1:59 remaining to cap the scoring.

Phillis finished just 8-of-21 for 60 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. His touchdown pass in the second quarter moved him into second place all-time in the Laker record books. Laffey was 6-of-10 for 80 yards and a score. Salupo caught four passes for 29 yards to lead seven receivers who caught passes in the game for Mercyhurst. Hill had a team-high 49 yards. Lough had one catch for nine yards, carried the ball three times for 36 yards and returned six kicks for 119 yards.

Defensively, Craig Moone had a career-high 12 tackles. Jimmy Kokrak added 11.

Nicolet finished 10-of-14 for 114 yards, a touchdown and was intercepted once. Nick Gurica caught five passes for 81 yards. Tom Korte, the GLIAC's leading tackler, had 15 stops in the contest.

Mercyhurst will look to rebound next weekend on Senior Day at Tullio Field with a 1:30 PM kickoff against Northern Michigan.