Box Score

CALIFORNIA, Pa. - Senior Steven Wakefield's third field goal of the afternoon, a 22-yarder with 40 seconds left in regulation, proved to be the difference as the Mercyhurst University football team knocked off the Vulcans of California (Pa.) 23-20 on Saturday at Adamson Stadium. The win moved Mercyhurst to 6-4 overall and it finished its conference record with a 4-3 mark. More importantly, the Lakers assured themselves a winning record for the second consecutive season - the first time since the 1991 and 1992 campaigns that Mercyhurst has been able to accomplish that feat. The Vulcans dropped to 6-4 overall and finish with a 4-3 PSAC West record.

Wakefield broke his single-season scoring record for points by a kicker (76) and also set the single-season record for field goals made (13) by going a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and a perfect 2-for-2 on point after tries. He broke his own record of 69 points he set last season while his 13 three-pointers broke Vinny Repucci's old record of 11 set back in 2002. He is already the school's all-time leading scorer with 265 points.

The Laker defense held the Vulcans after Wakefield gave them a three-point lead, despite a roughing the passer penalty that took the Vulcans to the Mercyhurst 37-yard line. However, left with no timeouts on its attempt to tie the game, California allowed a game-changing sack to redshirt senior Serge Augustin on the very next play, altering the complexion of the drive. After being sacked, Vulcan quarterback Cody Schroeder threw three errant passes to end the game, with the last one sailing out of the Mercyhurst endzone.

The game-winning drive for the Lakers took 2:19 off the clock after California had tied the game at 20-20 with a 20-yard pass from Schroeder to Mike Williams. But, senior running back Allen Jones II, starting in place of the injured Brandon Brown-Dukes, took over. On the first play of the drive, Jones II ran six yards, but a Vulcan personal foul penalty took the ball to the hosts' 48-yard line. Two plays later, after a 38-yard run by the senior, the Lakers had the ball at the three-yard line. Although the Lakers were not able to punch it in, Mercyhurst did force the Vulcans to use all of their timeouts and got the ball in perfect position for Wakefield's game-winner.

Jones II finished the game with 154 yards on 27 carries - his second straight 100-yard game and the second-highest output of his career. It was his fourth 100-yard game of the season. He also caught two passes for 13 yards out of the backfield and finished with a game-high 167 all-purpose yards - the highest total of his career. He also became the fifth running back in school history to eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards. He now has 2,033.

After forcing a three-and-out on California's opening possession, Mercyhurst took its opening opportunity right down the field to take a 7-0 advantage. Vendemia capped off the 11-play, 65-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run - his second of the season and sixth of his career.

The Vulcans got on the board after recovering a fumble on a punt return by freshman Dorian Stevens at the Mercyhurst 27-yard line. The Lakers' defense held California to a 26-yard field goal by Cody Nuzzo, however, to keep a four-point lead at 7-3 after the opening quarter.

Nuzzo cut the Laker lead to one at 7-6 with a 24-yard field goal with 11:18 remaining in the first half, capping off a 10-play, 53-yard drive. However, the Lakers came right back on their next possession, regaining a four-point lead after a 41-yard field goal by Wakefield. It was Wakefield's longest make of the season and it came with 5:39 left in the opening half.

Redshirt junior linebacker Pat Behm picked off Schroeder on California's next drive - the first of three interceptions by the Laker defense - and he returned it 34 yards to the California 15-yard line. The Vulcan defense would stiffen, limiting the Lakers to another field goal by Wakefield, this time from 24 yards out, which proved to be the final points of the opening half.

Special teams again came into play in the third quarter, but this time on a blocked punt by California's Garry Brown on a punt attempt from freshman Jordan Spangler from the Mercyhurst 23-yard line. Trey Johnson picked up the blocked punt and returned it 13 yards for a California touchdown. Nuzzo's extra point tied the game at 13-13 with 3:57 left in the third quarter.

On California's first drive of the fourth quarter, the Vulcans put themselves into position to take their first lead of the afternoon. But, junior Garrett Wild picked off Schroeder at the Mercyhurst 14-yard line, ending the threat. The Lakers then drove 86 yards on 16 plays that took 8:35 off the clock to put seven points on the board and to retake a seven-point lead at 20-13. Redshirt sophomore Richie Sanders ended the drive with a one-yard touchdown run - his second touchdown in his four games played this season.

The Vulcans took just 1:03 off the clock to get the tying touchdown with 3:06 left, setting up Wakefield's game-winning field goal.

California outgained Mercyhurst 311-298 but the Lakers won the turnover battle 3 to 1. Jones II amassed more than half of the Lakers' total offense with his 154 yards rushing. Sanders was limited to 30 yards on 12 carries but did score a touchdown and did finish with 104 all-purpose yards thanks to three good kickoff returns. Vendemia's completion percentage was much better than it has been in recent weeks as he connected on 10-of-15 attempts. But, for the third week in a row, the Lakers failed to crack 100 yards passing with Vendemia throwing for 99 yards on the afternoon.

Schroeder was 16-of-31 for 190 yards and one touchdown but was picked off three times by the Laker defense. Derrick Fiore led the ground attack with 61 yards on 13 carries.

Defensively, sophomore Joe Dever finished with a team-high 10 tackles while Behm had nine tackles and an interception. Noah Taylor led the Vulcans with 11 stops.

The Lakers will end the regular season next Saturday, November 16 when they travel to East Stroudsburg to take on the Warriors. Mercyhurst won a shootout at Tullio Field against ESU last season, 52-45. Kickoff from Eiler-Martin Stadium is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.