INDIANA, Pa. -- Mercyhurst running back Richie Sanders broke two school records during the Lakers football team's 31-20 loss to 11th-ranked Indiana (Pa.) in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action on Saturday.

Sanders collected 232 all-purpose yards against IUP, finishing with 25 carries for 135 yards, four receptions for 25 yards, two kickoff returns for 59 yards and three punt returns for 13 yards. The redshirt-senior claimed the Laker program's career records for all-purpose yards and kickoff-return yards.

Also for Mercyhurst, quarterback Doug Altavilla completed 22 of 37 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Wide receiver Brad Novak added four catches for 95 yards and one score.

The Laker defense was led by defensive back Tarique Ellis, who totaled 10 tackles, including 3 1/2 for-loss. Defensive back Rocky Owens had 2 1/2 tackles-for-loss, including two sacks, and linebacker Chris Peluso recorded two tackles-for-loss, including one sack.

Also, defensive back Dorian Stevens had an interception and defensive back Ryan Cummings recovered a fumble.

The Lakers (2-8, 1-6) led on two different occasions, but repeatedly were harmed by the "big play."

A one-yard TD run by Altavilla put visiting Mercyhurst ahead in the first quarter, but only 1:10 later, the Crimson Hawks tied the contest on a 69-yard touchdown hookup from quarterback Lenny Williams Jr. to wide receiver Walt Pegues.

Later in the first, Altavilla threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Novak, but IUP had an immediate response again -- this time on a Pegues 84-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Mike Pietropola.

Running back Chris Temple helped the Hawks to the lead in the second quarter on a 39-yard touchdown run. From that point, IUP (8-1, 6-1) led the rest of the way.

Mercyhurst kicker Dylan Kondis converted field goals of 36 and 21 yards -- each time, pulling the Lakers within four points of the Crimson Hawks -- but a 30-yard interception return to paydirt by IUP linebacker Kevin Clarke sealed the contest with 2:35 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Pegues finished with three grabs for 164 yards and the two scores for IUP. Temple added 12 carries for 127 yards and the one TD.

For the Hawk defense, Clarke had 14 total tackles.

Mercyhurst outgained the IUP offense, 392-367, while the teams evened the turnover battle at 2-2.

Sanders broke the records of two former Lakers, who played from 2005-08. Richard Stokes previously held the all-purpose yards record at 4,744 while Theo Hall had the previous kickoff-return record at 1,901. Sanders now holds the marks with 4,909 and 1,953, respectively.

The Lakers will finish their season on Saturday, Nov. 12, when Lock Haven visits on Mercyhurst's "Senior Day." Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.