INDIANA, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst football team suffered a 34-7 loss to third-ranked Indiana (Pa.) during PSAC West action on Saturday.
The host Crimson Hawks (4-0, 1-0) took a 14-0 lead in the first five minutes of the contest and never looked back. A 1-yard touchdown run by Mercyhurst quarterback
Doug Altavilla helped cut the deficit to 14-7 before IUP came across with 20 unanswered points.
The Laker offense was led by wide receiver
Austin Hence, who had seven catches for 120 yards, and running back
Garrett Owens, who finished with 14 carries for 90 yards. Altavilla finished 12 of 21 for 174 yards and one interception.
On defense, defensive back
Jake Tarasovitch was the leading tackler with 14 stops. Linebacker
Chris Peluso added 13 total tackles and defensive back
Dante Rodriguez finished with 12 total tackles.
Defensive lineman
Xavier Martin had a sack and forced fumble, which was recovered by linebacker
Austin Drew.
IUP quarterback Lenny Williams led the Hawks with a passing touchdown and rushing touchdown. He had nine carries for 62 yards and completed 17 of 27 passes for 193 yards.
The Lakers (1-3, 0-1) will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 29, with a 6 p.m. PSAC West contest at Slippery Rock.
