Sept. 30, 2006

Stats

ASHLAND, Ohio - A 21-yard field goal by Ryan Jung spoiled Mercyhurst's comeback bid that erased a 21-7 second half deficit as Ashland (2-3, 2-3 GLIAC) defeated the Lakers (1-4, 1-4 GLIAC).

Mercyhurst had tied the score on a dramatic fourth and 17 on the Ashland 29, where Mitch Phillis heaved the ball into the endzone and David Lough made the catch to knot the score at 21-21.

Phillis tossed three touchdowns in the game and was intercepted twice. He finished 22-36 for 246 yards. He completed passes to ten different receivers.

Ashland's Blaine Maag rushed for 125 yards and a pair of scores to lead the Eagles.

Jeff Nowling started and finished Mercyhurst's first drive as the Lakers jumped ahead 7-0. On the first play from scrimmage, he came around on a reverse, took the ball and completed a 30-yard pass to Mark Watson. Phillis later hit him with an eight-yard touchdown pass to complete the eight-play, 74-yard march with 8:08 left in the first.

Two second quarter touchdowns gave the Eagles the lead going into halftime. Maag rushed 28 yards for his first score of the day, less than a minute into the period to tie things at 7-7. Later in the period, Ashland pinned the Lakers at their own two yardline and forced a punt. Julian Johnson uncorked an 18-yard return of the 47-yard boot by Brandon Hill and Ashland started at the Mercyhurst 30 with just over a minute to play. John Ferguson and David Ziegehofer hooked up on each of the last three plays, ending with a three-yard touchdown with only 19 seconds left in the half.

In the second half, Theo Hall fumbled the opening kick and Ashland again had a short field to work with. Four straight runs by Maag gave the Eagles the 21-7 lead with 12:38 left in the half, capped by an 11-yard scoring run.

Mercyhurst fought right back to pull to within a touchdown, grinding out a 13-play drive. Phillis completed six straight passes at one point in the drive, and finished it off by hitting fullback Owen Evans on a one-yard touchdown pass.

Late in the period, Theo Hall intercepted Ferguson at the Ashland 48. The Lakers moved the 22-yardline, but Phillis was sacked for a 16-yard loss on first down. Then, on fourth and 17, Phillis was flushed from the pocket, bought time and heaved the ball to a leaping Lough for the 29-yard touchdown to tie the score.

Ashland's next drive resulted in the winning score. The Eagles drove to the Mercyhurst nine to set up a first and goal. Mercyhurst tightened the defense and forced the Jung field goal with 7:27 to play.

Mercyhurst converted a fourth and five during its next drive. Phillis hit Hill to move the ball into Eagle territory at the 36. The Lakers needed another fourth down conversion, but a Phillis pass fell incomplete, enabling Ashland to take over and run out the clock.

Evans had a career high five receptions in the game for 35 yards. Watson added four catches for 60 yards. With 10 players catching passes, it was the most Lakers with a reception in a single game since October 16, 2004 against Division I-AA Southeastern Louisiana.

Jimmy Kokrak led all players with 12 tackles in the game. Charlie Gleisner added 11.

Ferguson finished 15-of-23 passing for 118 yards, a touchdown and an interception for Ashland. Ziegelhofer had five catches for 35 yards.

Luke Busson led the Eagles with nine stops.

The Lakers take the field again on October 7, when they travel to Grand Valley, the No. 1 team in NCAA Division II.