ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst football team will play host to No. 21 IUP in the PSAC-West opener for both teams. Kick off is set for 1:06 p.m. at Saxon Stadium.

Six Points for Saturday
Program Milestone: The Lakers scored their 200th win in program history with their 38-24 victory over Bloomsburg last Saturday. 

Toting the Rock: Redshirt junior Garrett Owens ran for 94 yards and three scores against Bloomsburg. He was the first Laker back since Richie Sanders in had three scores on the ground against IUP on Nov. 12, 2016. In seven career games when Owens has surpassed 100 yards, Mercyhurst is 6-1.

Records were Meant to be Broken: With 205 yards passing on Saturday against Shepherd, Doug Altavilla became the Lakers all-time leading passer He currently has 6,939 yards through the air after 208 against Bloomsburg. Altavilla is also just 239 yards shy of breaking the Mercyhurst record for total offense currently held by Matt Kissell. Kissell has 7,087 yards of total offense.

Saxon Stadium: The Mercyhurst football stadium not only got a new turf surface prior to the 2019 season, but the name has changed as well. The newly renovated Saxon Stadium hosts not only  football, but field hockey, men's & women's lacrosse and select men's & women's soccer games.

Spreading the Ball: Eight different receivers caught passes against Bloomsburg last Saturday. It was the second straight game with eight different Lakers having a catch.  Austin Hence leads the Laker receiving corps with 10 catches for 172 yards and two scores.

Playing Behind the Line: Through three games the Lakers have recorded 21 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. Ayron Thompson leads the team with six tackles for loss including three sacks and making 18 total tackles. Jehrod Gregory adds three tackles for loss. Five other Laker defenders have multiple tackles for loss.

Extra Point
Scouting IUP: The Crimson Hawks enter ranked #21 in the AFCA Poll after a 77-14 victory over Lock Haven. IUP quarterbacks are completing 77.6% of their passes. The Crimson Hawks are averaging 163.0 yards on the ground. The defense has held opponents to an average of 9.0 points per game.