Complete Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - Senior quarterback Travis Rearick threw for 273 yards and two scores and also ran in for the game-tying score, capped off by sophomore Steven Wakefield's point after, in overtime to propel the Lakers to a 24-23 win over Notre Dame College in front of 1,650 fans at Tullio Field.




With the score tied 17-17 heading into overtime, the Falcons scored on their only overtime possession using some trickery to get into the endzone. Sophomore Jack Foy recieved a pass from sophomore quarterback Rob Partridge, and then passed back to Partridge, who then scampered in for the score on the first play from scrimmage in the extra session. However, freshman kicker Chris McClearn missed wide right on the point after try, opening the door for the Lakers. Rearick capped off a seven-play drive with a one-yard run in response to Notre Dame's score. But, Wakefield drilled the extra point giving the Lakers the one-point win.  

The game marked just the fourth overtime game in school history, in which the Lakers are 3-1 lifetime. But, it was the first season opener in the 31-year history of the football program decided in overtime.

After forcing a three-and-out on Notre Dame's opening possession of the game, the Lakers marched down the field on their first drive of the 2011 season and appeared ready for their first points of the season. Mercyhurst drove 73 yards on 11 plays, but on first-and-goal from the one-yard line, sophomore running back Ricky Mathews, starting his first collegiate game, bobbled the handoff from Rearick and the fumble was recovered by the Falcons' Brandon Hummer.

Again, the Laker defense would force a punt by the Falcons on their next drive, and this time, Mercyhurst got into the endzone. Rearick found his favorite target, senior Trevor Kennedy, from 27 yards out on the second play of the second quarter. Wakefield would tack on the point after and the Lakers led 7-0. It marked the eighth time that the Rearick-Kennedy connection has found paydirt since the senior quarterback took over the starting role in week six last season.

Senior defensive back Linnell Robinson picked off his first career pass on Notre Dame's next possession, and, again, the Lakers would march down the field, this time capped off by a 31-yard field goal by Wakefield. The drive was aided by a 28-yard run by Mathews, the longest of his career, which put the team in field goal range. Mathews would finish the day with 92 yards rushing on 19 carries.

The two teams would have one more drive each in the second quarter, but neither would score, and the Lakers led 10-0 at halftime. The Lakers had a chance to tack on some more points to close out the half, but Wakefield's 41-yard field goal attempt would sail wide left as time expired.

The second half would be a different story, as the visitors used the big play to get back into the game. The Falcons' first score of the season came on a 31-yard burst by sophomore running back Pedro Powell, capping off an eight-play, 90-yard drive. Powell finished the afternoon with 89 yards on the ground on 20 carries. McClearn kicked the point after to make it 10-7.

The Lakers would respond, however, set up by a 64-yard kickoff return by junior L.J. Stevens, who took the ensuing kick to the Falcon 24-yard line. Six plays later, Rearick found sophomore fullback Jeff Groene from two yards out, and, after Wakefield's kick, gave the Lakers their 10-point lead back.

The big play would then bite the Lakers again, as quarterback Dak Britt found Randy Greenwood behind the Laker secondary. Greenwood bobbled the pass momentarily, then hauled it in with the right hand. The 53-yard strike again put the Falcons within a field goal. The teams would exchange drives before McClearn booted a 37-yard field goal with just under four minutes left in regulation to tie the game at 17. Wakefield would again have a chance to win as the clock hit all zeroes, but his field goal attempt would be short from 55 yards out.

Rearick completed 29-of-45 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns. He completed a pass to 10 different receivers, Kennedy, Groene, and junior Paris Bruner each hauling in a game-high five passes.. Rearick also ran six times for 49 yards, including the game-tying touchdown in overtime. The rushing total would signify a career-high on the ground, as Rearick came into Saturday's game with 46 career rushing yards in 19 games.

Mathews led the Lakers' ground attack with his career-high 92 yards. True freshman Richie Sanders Jr. contributed 43 yards on 11 carries and also caught three passes for 41 yards out of the backfield in his first collegiate action. All told, the Lakers outgained the Falcons 458-293 in total offense.

Defensively, senior linebacker Ian Wild led the way with nine total tackles. Senior linebacker Nick Jackson had a career-high seven stops for the Lakers and also forced a fumble. Senior defensive back Bryant Kimball also had seven tackles in the victory.

Mercyhurst will be back at home next Saturday as they will host PSAC Eastern Division member Kutztown at Tullio Field. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. Last year, the Golden Bears defeated the Lakers 35-14 in week two. Kutztown knocked off Saint Anselm 56-30 in its season opener on Saturday afternoon.

NOTES

Several players continue their climb up the Laker record books:

- Travis Rearick had 322 yards of total offense on Saturday (273 passing, 49 rushing). He now has 2,663 career yards of total offense, surpassing both Ed Ricci (1982-85) and Greg Haski (1985-88) into eighth place all-time. Next on the list for Rearick is Richard Stokes, who finished with 3,381, all on the ground.
- Rearick continues to close in on Mac McArdle (1999-2001) on the passing charts. With his afternoon, Rearick now has thrown for 2,568 yards, still slightly more than 700 yards away from McArdle.
- Trevor Kennedy had 64 yards receiving on Saturday, moving past Josh Szeluga (2006-09) into sixth on the all-time list. Kennedy now has 1,433 receiving yards for his career, with Tim Brediger (1994-98) slightly ahead. Brediger finished his career with 1,481 yards receiving.
- Kennedy is also closing in on Gerald Anderson on the all-purpose list. With 62 yards on Saturday, Kennedy now has 2,079, 29 yards behind Anderson for 12th all-time.
- Ian Wild had nine tackles on Saturday, giving him 223 for his career. He surpassed both James Sherrod (1981-84) and Tim Bednarski (1995-99) into 19th place.
- Bryant Kimball had seven tackles, giving him 199 for his career. He currently is 27th.
- Steven Wakefield had six points kicking on Saturday, giving him 70 points for his career. He currently sits in eighth place on the all-time list.

Mercyhurst has played in just four overtime games in 31 years, and have won three of them. The Lakers lost an epic battle against Buffalo State back in 1996, a game that went five overtimes. Since then, the Lakers are 3-0 in overtime, having knocked off Wayne State, Edinboro, and Notre Dame College, all within the last five seasons.

Mercyhurst is now 22-9 all-time in season openers, and 5-5 under head coach Marty Schaetzle.

Mercyhurst had two players with their first career interceptions on Saturday - senior Linnell Robinson and redshirt freshman Deonte Huggins.