Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University Football team gets their first taste of action in 2022 Saturday, September 3rd, in their season opener against the Battlers. The Lakers look for a repeat of last season when they defeated Alderson Broaddus 18-3 to start the 2021 season. Mercyhurst looks to begin the Riemedio era with a win in game number one of the new campaign with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. in Philippi, W.V.
1. Starting Hot
The Lakers have gotten off on the right foot in recent years, winning two of their last three season openers. Mercyhurst defeated the Battlers to begin 2021 18-3 while coming away with the win over Laker Erie in 2019 by a final of 21-16. Mercyhurst looks to add one more to that tally on Saturday when they travel to face Alderson Broaddus in game number one for the second year in a row.
2. Familiar Faces on Defense
Mercyhurst looks to rely on their experienced team leaders from the 2021 season to help them have success once again. The defense is led by captain Thomas Zacharyasz who accumulated 94 total tackles a season ago. Returning graduate student, Jacob Holl, was the only player to finish the 2021 season with more tackles than Zacharyasz with 103 to become the first Lakers to eclipse the century mark since 2015. The two inside linebackers will be joined by 2021 All-PSAC honoree Jehrod Gregory who looks to reek havoc along the line of scrimmage.
3. Just Win One
Head Coach Ryan Riemedio takes the helm for the Lakers, becoming the sixth head coach in the program's history. Riemedio eyes win number one in his first game in hopes of joining former head coaches Tony DeMeo, Ken Brasington, Joe Kimball, and Marty Schaetzle as the fifth head coach to win their first game as Mercyhurst's leader. The previous four coaches to win their Mercyhurst debuts did so in fashion as each game was won by double digits with an average margin of victory of 16.5 points, including a 28-0 win for DeMeo in the Lakers very first game on the gridiron.
4. Familiar Faces on Offense
Sophomore running back David Alize looks to leave his mark again after leading the team on the ground in his freshman season. Alize was named an All-PSAC Seond Team member for his effort last year and looks to do more of the same this time around. He will be joined by the top two receiving threats from a year ago in Cameron Barmore and 2021 All-PSAC First Team honoree Jason Armstrong, who both managed to record 30 or more receptions, 400 or more yards, and four touchdowns.
5. Scouting Alderson Broaddus
The Battlers finished last season 1-10, being held to single-digit point totals in six of their contests. Alderson Broaddus searches for their first winning since 2016, accumulating a record of 9-38 since the beginning of the 2017 season. The Battlers return two of their top defenders in Cedric Carter and David Schweinefuss who finished tied for second in total tackles in 2021 (43.0).
