Mercyhurst University Athletics

ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon University Golden Knights rallied for ten fourth-quarter points and defeated the Mercyhurst University football team, 16-13, on Saturday afternoon in front of nearly 3,000 fans at a sun-drenched Tullio Field. The Knights improved to 4-2 overall and to 1-2 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division. The Lakers, losers of three straight, fell to 3-3 and 0-3 respectively.

The loss also snapped Mercyhurst's three-game winning streak against its crosstown rivals and allowed the Golden Knights to travel north on State Street with the Niagara Cup for the first time since 2011.

As is normally the case, the game between the two programs came down to the wire. After Gannon's Karch Holland booted a 30-yard field goal through the uprights with 1:10 remaining in regulation to give the visitors a three-point edge, the Lakers, behind redshirt junior quarterback Zach Emerick drove into Gannon territory with time winding down. With nine seconds remaining and the Lakers with the ball at the Gannon 44, Emerick somehow avoided a sack and heaved a hail mary throw into the Gannon endzone. Both Mercyhurst senior wide receiver Jaquan Williams and Gannon defensive back Mike Zanders went up for the football and appeared to simultaneously grab the throw, but, after a short scrum in the back of the endzone, the officials ruled an interception by Zanders and the Golden Knights escaped with the three-point win.

It was an injury-plagued contest as both teams, in particular Mercyhurst, had several players get dinged up. The most important injury was the loss of redshirt senior Brendan Boylan, who was hit and appeared to suffer a shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm on the Lakers' fourth play from scrimmage. Emerick entered, but also had to leave the game for a brief period when he was hit on a Laker drive later in the first half. Redshirt junior transfer Logan Weaver, who was added to the 90-man roster earlier in the week, came on with time winding down in the first half. He went 1-for-3 for six yards but was picked off at the Gannon 10 by Dezmon Hopkins, nullifying a scoring threat.

After a scoreless first quarter, Gannon struck first when Liam Nadler connected with Jesstin Hamm on a ten-yard touchdown strike with 10:15 left in the second quarter. Holland's kick, however, was blocked by redshirt sophomore linebacker Jakob Plonski, and the Golden Knights led 6-0. The score was aided by a 52-yard pass play from Nadler to tight end Will Davis down to the Laker 1. Davis appeared to have fumbled the football, which Mercyhurst recovered in the endzone, but the officials ruled that Davis was down prior to the ball coming loose and Gannon took advantage.

Those proved to be the only points of the first half.

Mercyhurst got on the scoreboard with 8:50 left in the third quarter when redshirt senior running back Brandon Brown-Dukes plunged into the endzone from three yards out to tie the game at 6-6. It was Brown-Dukes' third rushing touchdown of the season and the 32nd of his career to put him within five of tying the school's all-time record. On the ensuing point after try, a low snap was picked up nicely by sophomore holder Brad Novak, but junior Dylan Kondis booted the kick wide to the right, keeping the score deadlocked at 6-6.

Emerick, who returned at the outset of the second half, led the Lakers on another scoring drive after given good field position following a 38-yard punt return by redshirt junior Richie Sanders to the Gannon 38-yard line. Six plays later, Emerick called his own number and got across the goal line from a yard out with 3:25 left in the third. Kondis connected on the point after and Mercyhurst led 13-6.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Nadler scored on a five-yard run, capping off a nine-play, 74-yard drive. After Holland converted the point after, the score was tied again at 13-13.

Special teams then decided the outcome. 

It started when junior defensive lineman Ryan Carroll blocked a 42-yard field goal try by Holland with 8:51 left to keep the score knotted at 13-13. Then, on the first play of the Lakers' drive, head coach Marty Schaetzle dialed up a trick play. Senior wideout Dylan Bongiorni was tossed the ball from Emerick and then the Laker quarterback took off down the right side line. Bongiorni put on the brakes and fired a 28-yard strike to Emerick to set up a first-and-ten from the Gannon 31 yard line. Following a 19-yard run by Brown-Dukes down to the 12, the drive stalled at the five and Mercyhurst attempted a short field goal from the left hash by Kondis. However, the 22-yarder sailed wide left and Gannon got the ball back with 5:33 remaining. Holland connected on the game-winner on the ensuing possession.

Gannon had the edge, statistically, on Saturday after gaining more first downs (21-18), more yards rushing (172-104), more yards passing (290-187), and more total yards (462-291).

Emerick, valiant in defeat, completed 14-of-25 passes for 142 yards and the interception on the game's final play. He was also sacked four times. Boylan left after completing 2-of-3 passes for 11 yards. Nadler was 20-of-37 for 290 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions - both by redshirt senior Tevin Stewart. Stewart now has five of Mercyhurst's eight interceptions this season. Brown-Dukes finished with 22 carries for 90 yards while his counterpart, Brock Jones, had a huge fourth quarter and finished with 15 carries for 105 yards. Hamm was Gannon's leading receiver, hauling in 11 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Senior FJ Williams led the Lakers with four catches for 54 yards.

Mercyhurst still leads the all-time series, 12-6-1, against the Golden Knights but is now just 4-4-1 at home when the two teams collide.

Mercyhurst will attempt to lick its wounds and prepare for next Saturday, October 17, when it hosts PSAC-West rival Slippery Rock at Tullio Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.