ERIE, Pa. -- Running back Richie Sanders had three total touchdowns -- running in two and throwing for another -- and kicker Dylan Kondis connected on a 39-yard game-winning field goal as the Mercyhurst football team claimed a 38-35 overtime victory at cross-town rival Gannon in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action on Saturday.

Sanders rushed 22 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw a 69-yard touchdown pass on a trick play in the back-and-forth battle, but it was Kondis' kick in overtime which sealed the win for the Lakers (2-3, 1-1). On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jakob Plonski terrorized the Golden Knight backfield, recording 4 1/2 tackles-for-loss, including 3 1/2 sacks.

Quarterback Doug Altavilla finished 16 of 24 for 144 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. His top target was tight end Bryce Mostoller, who totaled five catches for 20 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Brad Novak had four grabs for 111 yards and one TD as he caught the pass from Sanders. Wide receiver Zach Smith also had a touchdown reception.

Defensive back Dorian Stevens led the defense in total tackles, ending with 10. Plonski and defensive backs Akeel Marsh and Rocky Owens had nine apiece. Defensive lineman Benji Abercrombie had 1 1/2 tackles-for-loss and fellow DL Austin Brooks tacked on a half-sack.

The teams traded blows for the majority of the contest. Gannon took a 7-0 lead on the first of three rushing touchdowns by running back Tyler Johnson.

Mercyhurst then answered with three consecutive touchdowns -- a 23-yard pass from Altavilla to Smith, a 1-yard run by Sanders and a 5-yard hookup from Altavilla to Mostoller -- and took a 21-7 lead into halftime.

The Knights (3-2, 0-2) pushed across touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half as quarterback Zach Phillips throw a 47-yard TD pass to running back Nico Law. A 12-yard run to paydirt by Johnson helped the hosts even the score at 21-21 late in the fourth quarter.

Momentum swung between the teams in the fourth quarter -- first, on the side of Gannon, when defensive back Foster Reznor intercepted an Altavilla pass at the GU 2-yard-line to eliminate a Mercyhurst scoring threat.

The next time Mercyhurst had the football, Sanders scored on a 46-yard touchdown run. Gannon answered on its next drive when Phillips threw a 30-yard TD pass to tight end Will Davis, evening the score at 28-28.

Then, on MU's next possession, Sanders took a pitch and threw a 69-yard scoring strike to Novak down the sideline as the Lakers took the lead with 2:37. But, once again, GU responded and eventually pushed in a 1-yard Johnson run into the end zone.

Another Altavilla interception ended regulation as Gannon defensive back A.J. Satcher was thwarted on his return effort, sending the game into overtime.

The Lakers won the coin toss in overtime and elected to defend first. A sack by Plonski during Gannon's possession forced the host Knights into missing a 47-yard field goal. Then, after the Mercyhurst offense gained three yards on three plays, Kondis converted the game-winner.

Johnson had 21 carries for 140 yards for the Golden Knights while Phillips had a 18-for-26 game with 228 yards. Wide receiver Quad Law added seven receptions for 67 yards and Nico Law made three grabs for 61.

For the GU defense, defensive back Christian Carpenter had 13 total tackles and linebacker Anthony Howard totaled 11 tackles.

The Lakers will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 8, with a 6 p.m. PSAC West contest at nationally-ranked Slippery Rock.