Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University football team entered Saturday afternoon's contest against the Crimson Hawks of Indiana (Pa.) on a three-game winning streak and had scored at least 50 points in those three victories. Both streaks came to a halt on Saturday.

IUP scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions and held off the Lakers by a 28-6 final on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon in Erie. The loss dropped Mercyhurst to 4-4 overall on the season and 2-3 in the PSAC Western Division. The Crimson Hawks improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the west.

After registering 51 points and a school-record 628 yards of total offense against Gannon last Thursday, Mercyhurst got nothing going against a stiff IUP defense on Saturday. The Lakers were held to two Steven Wakefield field goals and amassed just 257 yards of total offense against the Crimson Hawks, including only 58 through the air. It was the Lakers' lowest point total since a 17-6 loss against California (Pa.) on November 1, 2008 and was the first time since September 13, 2008 (a 24-0 loss at Bloomsburg) that Mercyhurst did not score a touchdown.

The last time Mercyhurst did not score a touchdown in a game at home - a 26-3 loss to Saginaw Valley State on September 20, 2003.

After allowing scores on the Crimson Hawks' first three possessions, the Laker defense stiffened as well, allowing just 122 yards of total offense over the final three quarters. However, the damage had already been done.

After getting a 32-yard kickoff return by junior Marcus Snipes to start the football game, the Lakers went nine yards on three plays, setting up a fourth-and-one from their own 45-yardline. Instead of punting into the gusty wind, head coach Marty Schaetzle decided to go for the first down. However, Anthony Vendemia's pass sailed high over the head of tight end R.J. Miller and the Lakers turned it over on downs.

IUP capitalized, driving 45 yards on eight plays, capped off by quarterback Mike Box' one-yard run. Brett Ullman added the extra point for a 7-0 IUP lead with 9:34 left in the opening quarter.

Mercyhurst was forced to punt on its next possession, only a 16-yard effort by freshman Jordan Spangler into a 40-mph wind. IUP again capitalized on the good field position, driving 47 yards on five plays which ended on a one-yard touchdown run by Erik Finklea. Ullman added the point after for a 14-0 lead.

The Lakers put a nice drive together on their next possession, traveling 67 yards in 10 plays that took 5:29 off the clock. However, the drive stalled and Mercyhurst had to settle for a 25-yard field goal by Wakefield to stop the bleeding momentarily.

But, the visitiors scored again on their next possession to take a 21-3 lead early in the second quarter. De'Antwan Williams, who carried the ball 30 times for 186 yards on the afternoon, broke through the Laker defense and burst into the endzone from 25 yards out to cap off the drive.

Mercyhurst got another field goal late in the first half, this time from 27 yards out by Wakefield, to cut the IUP lead to 21-6 at halftime.

The teams exchanged punts and turnovers on downs as the weather deteriorated in the second half. The teams combined for just 247 yards of total offense in the second half, with the Lakers outgaining the Crimson Hawks 131-116. Neither team would score until IUP put the icing on the cake when Box scored again from a yard out with 46 seconds left in regulation for the final margin.

Fourth-down conversions would bite the Lakers all afternoon as Mercyhurst went 0-for-4 on fourth-down tries, including 0-for-3 in the second half. Two of those fourth-down opportunities came inside the IUP 30-yard line.

Senior Allen Jones II led the Lakers on the ground with 65 yards on 13 carries. Redshirt sophomore Brandon Brown-Dukes, coming off of a career-best 221 yards against Gannon, was held to 56 yards on 15 carries on Saturday. Redshirt sophomore Richie Sanders chipped in with 40 yards on five carries and 19 yards on two catches out of the backfield.

Mercyhurst quarterbacks struggled all afternoon throwing the football. Vendemia and redshirt junior Alec Swartz combined to complete 7-of-27 attempts for 58 yards and two interceptions.

Without a huge effort from De'Antwan Williams (30 carries for 186 yards), IUP's offense did not fare much better. Box was 10-of-19 throwing the football for just 103 yards and the other IUP ball carriers on the afternoon combined for just 21 yards on 13 carries.

Defensively, sophomore Joe Dever had his second straight massive effort from the linebacker position. After being named the ECAC Division II Defensive Player of the Week for his effort against Gannon, Dever paced the Lakers with a career-high 12 tackles (eight solo) and two tackles for a loss. Senior Dustin Galich had a season-high ten stops and three tackles for a loss. Junior Colin Kimball and sophomore Niko Otto had nine stops apiece. For IUP, Akeem Smith led the way with ten total stops (eight solo). Carl Fleming chipped in with eight.

Mercyhurst will play its final home game of the 2013 season next Saturday, November 2, when it hosts the Fighting Scots of Edinboro. Kickoff on Senior Day is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.