Clarion, Pa. - Mercyhurst grabbed their second win of the campaign Saturday afternoon after storming back to take the win over the Golden Eagles. The Lakers scored 22 points in the second half to help them come from behind and play spoilers in 36-35 victory.
How it Happened
The game started off with Clarion in control with the team leading at the halftime break 28-14 while scoring the first three touchdowns of the game. It was the Golden Eagle's ground game that helped them establish the early lead as all three scores came from the rushing attack.
It was the Laker's rushing attack that helped them get on the board with Jaylen Butera scoring the opening touchdown of the game. Mercyhurst started with great field position at the 41 with Butera's fifth TD of the year coming from 11 yards out with just over eight minutes remaining in the second. After Clarion managed to score for the fourth time in the opening half, Adam Urena found Sean Banas to make it a 28-14 score at the halftime break. Banas ran across the middle of the defense with his QB finding him from six yards out with 1:24 to go in the second period.
Urena continued to add on when the team returned from the halftime break with a pair of passing scores in the third to help the Lakers make it a 28-28 game going into the final period of play. His first score came just a few minutes into the quarter with Urena finding his twin, Austin, for the score on a 29-yard pass. He then found Joe Kerbacher for his third TD of the game with 4:32 to go in the third to tie things up.
Clarion managed to score once in the fourth, opening the frame with their TD to help them reclaim the lead, 35-28. Mercyhurst managed to claim their first lead of the game with just a few ticks left to help secure the win. With just five seconds left on the clock, Jaylen Butera powered his way up the middle from one yard out to make it 35-34. Instead of opting for the tie, Mercyhurst decided to go for the win with a two-point conversion. Urena found Braydon Black on a slant across the middle with his wideout landing in the end zone to help Mercyhurst go ahead 36-35. Clarion tried to put together a last stitch effort and come away with a last-second victory, but they were denied in the one-point win for the Lakers.
Highlights
Adam Urena finished the game with 199 yards to his line on 18 completions while recording three touchdowns in the game. After a career game last time around, Jaylen Butera once again put on a show with 182 yards to his line on the ground on 27 attempts with two scores, giving him back-to-back games with multiple rushing TDs. Braydon Black and Austin Urena finished tied for the team lead in receiving yards while Urena had a team-high five catches with one ending in the end zone. On defense, Zach Hill led the team with 11 tackles while Tyler Buterbaugh finished right behind with nine, adding a tackle for a loss and a sack to his line.
Next Game
The Lakers return home this upcoming weekend when they see their crosstown rivals, Gannon. Mercyhurst sees the Golden Knights on Saturday, September 21st, with kick off set for 3:00 p.m.
