Riding a two-game win streak, the Mercyhurst Football team looks to continue rolling as they head on the road to Shippensburg for a crossover matchup to finish the season.
All-Time Series
Series Tied 2-2
Last Mercyhurst Win: Nov. 15, 2014, 42-21
Last Shippensburg Win: Nov. 14, 2015, 69-20
Largest Margin of Victory Mercyhurst: Nov. 15, 2014, 42-21
Largest Margin of Victory Gannon: Nov. 14, 2015, 69-20
Pick of the Litter
The Mercyhurst defense has created eight turnovers the last two weeks, with all eight being interceptions. The Lakers have now had eight different players pick off an opposing QB this season. The secondary accounts for seven interceptions, the linebacking corps three and the defensive line has one pick.
Take it Alize-ee
David Alize has provided the spark the Mercyhurst offense desperately needed in the running game over the last four weeks. After performances of 72 yards and 55 yards in weeks 7 and 8, the freshman had back to back 100+ yard performances, with a career-high 114 yards and three scores last week against Gannon. He became the first Laker to score three TDs since Nov. 2019. Prior to week seven against Edinboro he only had three carries on the year.
One Last Hoorah
Marty Schaetzle announced that he would retire at the end of the season. In his 20th season, Schaetzle has led the Lakers in two conferences and one PSAC title. Assistant Head Coach Ryan Riemedio has been tabbed the next head coach of the Laker program. This week serves as his last game.
Getting Defensive
The Laker defense has been keyed by a pair of dynamic linebackers, Jacob Holl and Thomas Zacharyasz. The senior duo both have 98 tackles on the season which ties them for 18th in DII. Safety, Keith Brickman was named the PSAC West Defensive POW this week, after collecting an interception, and breaking up four passes against Gannon. He has a team-high 13 break-ups.
Spreading the Rock
The Lakers have scored 13 touchdowns through the air this season with eight different players pulling in a touchdown pass. Mercyhurst have had 18 different players catch a pass this season. Jason Armstrong has 35 catches for 368 yards and four scores. Cameron Barmore adds 27 receptions for 378 yards and three scores. Joe Carter has thrown nine of the Lakers' 13 passing scores.
Scouting the Raiders
Shippensburg comes of a 52-14 win against Lock Haven last week and currently sits in third in the East. Brycen Mussina commands the air game with 2390 yards and 21 scores. Bill Williams adds in 522 yards and four TDs on the ground, and Ian Sheehan is the top pass catcher with 45 for 718 and six scores. Trey Paul is the leading stop man on defense with 57 tackles. Shippensburg is 6-4 in their last 10 PSAC crossover games.
