GREENSBURG, Pa. -- Quarterback Doug Altavilla threw for 406 yards and four touchdowns while running back Richie Sanders accumulated 351 all-purpose yards during the Mercyhurst football team's 55-45 loss to Seton Hill in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division contest on Saturday.

Altavilla completed 27 of 57 passes and was intercepted three times. Sanders rushed 17 times for 86 yards and also gained 181 yards on kickoff returns and 84 on punt returns.

Mercyhurst (2-6, 1-4) fell in a 34-7 first-half hole -- and actually trailed by as many as 31 in the second half -- before closing its deficit to 10 points during the final minute of the game.

Wide receiver Danavian Clay had two touchdown receptions for Mercyhurst, finishing with 10 catches for 114 yards. Fellow wide-out Brad Novak and tight end Bryce Mostoller also had TD receptions.

Novak had four catches for 53 yards, wide receiver Clay Waldron added three grabs for 94 yards and another wide-out, Brian Matthews, had three receptions for 74 yards.

In the tackling department, defensive back Akeel Marsh led the way with seven total tackles. Four others had six tackles, including defensive back Tarique Ellis, defensive back Rocky Owens, linebacker Kazimer Struna and defensive lineman Ryan Carroll.

Also for the Laker defense, lineman Theophilus Blackston III recorded a sack. Defensive back Dorian Stevens forced a fumble.

Novak had MU's only touchdown in the first half -- a two-yard catch from Altavilla -- as the Lakers trailed 34-7 at the break.

Mercyhurst pushed across three touchdowns during the third quarter. Altavilla had a one-yard run and then connected with Mostoller and Clay on nine- and 14-yard touchdown strikes, respectively.

In the fourth, Sanders had a 66-yard punt-return TD before Clay finished the scoring with a seven-yard touchdown catch from Altvavilla with 58 seconds left.

The host Griffins (5-3, 2-3) were led by running back Khalil Howard, who had 19 carries for 111 yards and five receptions for 83 yards. He had four touchdown runs.

Quarterback Christian Strong finished 28 of 46 for 458 yards and four scores.

For the SHU defense, linebacker Nicholas Boynton led the way with 13 total tackles, including two sacks. As a unit, the Griffin defense had six sacks and three interceptions.

The Lakers will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 29, when they host nationally-ranked California (Pa.) for a noon contest.