ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst football team dropped a 24-20 contest to non-conference opponent Tiffin on Saturday at Tullio Field.

Garrett Owens scored two touchdowns -- one rushing and one receiving -- to lead the Lakers (0-2). He rushed 17 times for 111 yards and also had four receptions for 32.

Quarterback Doug Altavilla finished 20 of 29 for 205 yards and one TD. Wide receiver Austin Hence had six grabs for 69 yards.

On defense, linebacker Alex Zacharyasz was the leading tackler with 11 stops, including 1 1/2 for-loss. Fellow linebacker Corbin Kessler had 10 total tackles, including a half-sack, and two pass breakups.

Linebacker Rocky Owens contributed nine tackles, including a sack while defensive back Dante' Redwood and linebacker Chris Peluso finished with eight stops each. Redwood broke up two passes.

Defensive lineman Xavier Martin added a sack and fellow linemen Matthew Hudson and Jehrod Gregory combined on a sack. Hudson also had a forced fumble.

MU took the lead on the first play of scrimmage when Owens converted a 63-yard touchdown run. Owens later had a 15-yard TD reception, leaping over a Tiffin defender and into the end zone to help the Lakers to a 14-7 lead at the time.

Tiffin took a 17-14 lead in the third quarter before MU kicker Mark Shafer Jr. evened the contest with a 22-yard boot of his own.

TU running back Tylan Rice put Tiffin in the lead for good with a 50-yard touchdown run. Shafer converted another 22-yard kick after that, bringing the Lakers within four points, but the kick would serve as the game's final points.

Rice had 17 rushes and 107 yards for the Dragons (2-0). Wide receiver Charles Holland added eight receptions for 153 yards and two TDs. Quarterback Nick Watson was 21 of 31 for 276 yards and the two scores.

Mercyhurst will be in action next when it hosts Bloomsburg on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m., during the Lakers' homecoming weekend.