KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Momentum shifted with four blocked kicks by the Mercyhurst football team, enabling quarterback Doug Altavilla to throw for one touchdown and run in another, as the Lakers earned a 23-19 comeback victory over Kutztown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference interdivisional action on Saturday.

MU (1-1) blocked three punts -- one of which was returned for a touchdown -- and knocked down an extra-point attempt. In the end, the Lakers climbed back from a 13-0 first-quarter deficit.

Blocks were recorded by linebackers Avery Jones and Nick Slonac and defensive backs Akeel Marsh and Dante Redwood. Marsh's block was the precursor to a two-yard blocked-punt touchdown return by fellow defensive back Kyle Briggs.

The Lakers fell behind, 13-0, before Slonac erased an extra-point opportunity after the host Bears' second touchdown. Defensive back Rocky Owens tried to return the blocked kick for a defensive two-point conversion, but was unsuccessful. The other two Laker blocks -- by Jones and Redwood -- were partial punt blocks.

Trailing 13-0, Mercyhurst scored 10 straight points, including three on a 34-yard field goal by kicker Dylan Kondis.

Kutztown took a 13-3 lead into halftime and received the ball to start the second half, but a quick three-and-out led to the Bears punting from their own 35-yard-line. That set the stage for Marsh and Briggs as the Lakers trimmed their deficit to 13-10.

Bear quarterback Terence Scanlon and receiver Kellen Williams made their second touchdown hookup in the third quarter, helping the hosts push their lead to 19-10. Then, Mercyhurst pushed back with the game's final 13 points.

Altavilla engineered a 12-play, 61-yard touchdown drive, finishing with a seven-yard pass to tight end Bryce Mostoller as the Lakers pulled within 19-17. During the march, Altavilla completed 5 of 5 passes for 25 yards. He also had a 10-yard run.

The game-deciding drive occurred in the fourth quarter as the Lakers traveled 67 yards in six plays. Holding the ball at its own 39-yard-line, Mercyhurst converted a fourth-and-4 play when Altavilla completed a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Danavian Clay. On the very next play, running back Drew Robinson scampered 47 yards to the Bear 1-yard-line and set the stage for a 1-yard touchdown run by Altavilla.

From there, the Laker defense stood tall, stopping the Bears on fourth down twice to secure the victory.

Altavilla finished 16 of 28 for 108 yards while Robinson ran seven times for 59 yards. Mostoller had five catches for 49 yards and Clay made four grabs for 32.

On the other side of the ball, Marsh, defensive back Dorian Stevens and linebacker Thomas Higgins III had eight total tackles apiece. Stevens also had three breakups while defensive lineman Benji Abercrombie totaled 3 1/2 tackles-for-loss.

Defensive lineman Theophilus Blackston III and linebacker Austin Drew had one sack apiece. Slonac and defensive lineman Collin Dell combined on a sack. As a team, the Mercyhurst defense accumulated 10 tackles-for-loss.

The hosts, who outgained Mercyhurst, 390-170, were led offensively by running back Craig Reynolds. He rushed 18 times for 144 yards and one touchdown.

Also for the Bears (0-2), quarterback Terence Scanlon was 26 of 40 for 194 yards. Redshirt-sophomore wide receiver Troy Parton had 15 catches for 95 yards. Williams made three catches for 44. On defense, linebacker Zack Delp had 10 total stops and defensive lineman Chris McMonagle recorded 2 1/2 sacks for a defense which got to Altavilla eight times.

The Lakers will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 17, when they welcome East Stroudsburg for their home opener. Kickoff is set for noon.