ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst football team is set to host West Chester Saturday afternoon at Saxon Stadium. Kickoff is slated for noon.

The Series
The Lakers and Golden Rams have met three times. West Chester holds a 2-1 advantage all-time. The last time the two teams met the Lakers came out on top with a 37-35 victory on Sept. 12, 2015.

Owning the Football 
The Lakers dominated time of possession in the opener against Alderson Broaddus. Mercyhurst kept the football for 43:16 of game time which was the third best mark in Division II. 

Getting Defensive 
Contributing to the Lakers dominance was a defensive effort that held Alderson Broaddus to just 89 yards of total offense. Mercyhurst held the Battlers to three points on the day and just six first downs. The Laker defense also put up the first points of the 2021 season when they scored a safety in the second quarter against the Battlers.

Burrows Earns PSAC Honors 
Bradley Burrows had a stellar opener for the Lakers in the opener. He recorded 10 total tackles and four sacks against Alderson Broaddus. Burrows was honored with PSAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He currently ranks first in DII in sacks in the 2021 season. His 14 career sacks ranks 19th among active Division II players. His 21 tackles for loss rank 17th among active players.

Spreading the Ball 
Michael Lowery completed passes to nine different receivers in the opener. Rylan Davison led the way for the Lakers with seven catches for 96 yards. Sean Banas reeled in the first touchdown of the season for the Lakers.

Splitting the Sticks 
Brian Alsobrooks had a solid debut in a Laker uniform going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and also making his lone extra point. His three field goals was the fourth most by a DII kicker in Week 1.

Schaetzle's Final Season 
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.

Scouting the Rams 
West Chester dropped a 41-17 decision to Bentley on the road in the season opener. Three quarterbacks played for West Chester in the opener combining to go 8-of-21 with an interception. Ja'Den McKenzie led the rushing attack with 87 yards on 15 carries. Jordan Burney paced the defensive effort with six tackles. Nyeem Jones added five stops with 1.5 tackles for loss.