Box Score

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University football team dropped to 0-2 on the young season after a 38-14 setback at ninth-ranked West Chester on a rainy Saturday afternoon at John A. Farrell Stadium in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The Golden Rams improved to 2-0 on the season.

After recording 150 yards of total offense last Saturday in the season opener, Mercyhurst did not fare much better against the West Chester defense. The Lakers finished with 255 yards, with 114 of those yards coming in the final quarter when the game was in hand.

West Chester outgained Mercyhurst 418-255 for the contest.

The ground game continued to struggle as the Lakers rushed for 43 yards on 22 carries. Redshirt junior Brandon Brown-Dukes led the Laker ground attack with just 39 yards on 15 carries. After recording back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Brown-Dukes has just 97 yards on the ground in his first two games.

West Chester scored 21 points in the opening 9:50 of the game to give the hosts a commanding lead. Quarterback Sean McCartney started the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run to cap off a 15-play, 55-yard drive in 6:07 in the game's opening possession. McCartney also finished the afternoon by completing 23 of 35 passes for 306 yards and three scores through the air.

His first touchdown pass came after the Golden Ram defense forced Mercyhurst to a three-and-out on its first opportunity.On the first play of West Chester's drive, McCartney hit Erick Brundidge on a quick screen that the wideout then carried 74 yards to paydirt for a 14-0 lead with 6:43 left in the opening quarter.

Mercyhurst quarterback Zach Emerick, on the Lakers' next drive, was picked off by Shane Formica who then scampered 39 yards for a touchdown, giving the Golden Rams a 21-0 lead with 5:10 left in the first quarter.

The Lakers settled down, defensively, but could still not generate much in the way of offense. Mercyhurst had excellent field position on a number of drives in the second quarter, but could not put any points on the scoreboard. However, with 4:10 left in the second quarter, Mercyhurst got on the board thanks to the defense. Redshirt senior Michael Foster picked up a fumble and ran 43 yards to the endzone to get the Lakers to within 21-7.

However, West Chester scored on its ensuing possession on a 16-yard pass from McCartney to tight end Tim Brown for a 28-7 halftime lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, McCartney and Brown hooked up again, this time on a 31-yard connection, to give the hosts a 35-7 lead. Mercyhurst put its final points on the board when redshirt junior quarterback Brendan Boylan hit junior Jaquan Williams on a 34-yard touchdown pass with 8:49 left.

West Chester's Rich Bruno added the final points of the day on a 22-yard field goal with 4:53 left.

Emerick played the first half and completed 8-of-16 for 86 yards and one interception. Boylan replaced Emerick in the third and finished the afternoon 9-of-20 for 126 yards and one touchdown. Williams led the Laker receivers with three catches for 75 yards.

West Chester's Brandon Monk led all rushers with 16 carries for 61 yards. Adam Dempsey caught six passes for 43 yards while Brown caught five for 77.

Junior linebacker Joe Dever led all tacklers with ten stops in a losing effort.

Mercyhurst will play its home opener next Saturday, September 20 when it hosts Bloomsburg. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. from Tullio Field.