California, Pa. - Mercyhurst football went on the road to round out the month of October with the team falling to the Vulcans. The Lakers came out of the gates as the better team, establishing a 13-0 lead, but ultimately fell 58-19 to move to 2-7 on the year.

How it Happened

Mercyhurst fired the opening salvo thanks to Dustin Shoaf. The graduate running back found a seam up the middle before leaping over a Vulcan defender on a 23-yard run to make it a 7-0 game. Mercyhurst kept their foot on the gas as they managed to score again in the opening period of play with Adam Urena and Joe Kerbacher connecting from 22 yards out to make it a multi-score lead with just under two minutes to go in the first.

Cal managed to keep from being shutout in the opening period with a touchdown run in the final minute before they started to really find their groove. The Vulcans had a huge second quarter that helped stake them to a 28-point lead at the half. Cal managed to find the end zone five times in the second with three passing touchdowns in the frame to go along with a rushing score and a 34-yard pick six. By the time the second came to an end, Mercyhurst found themselves down 41-13.

The third quarter went by without a whimper as there were a total of three points scored in the frame with a 26-yard field goal for Cal splitting the uprights. Mercyhurst's defense had found an answer for their counterparts on defense, but after a strong start the offense had gone quiet as the Lakers went into the final frame down 44-13. Mercyhurst did manage to find the end zone one more time in the game with a last-second touchdown as Urena found Kerbacher once again for their second score of the day. Their efforts were not enough, though, as the Vulcans had already pushed past the pylon twice in the quarter in the 58-19 final.

Highlights

Adam Urena finished with 177 yards on 15 completions and a pair of passing touchdowns behind center in this one. His favorite target was Joe Kerbacher who set a new career-high for receiving yards with 117 on eight catches with the wide out catching both of Urena's TDs. On the ground, Jaylen Butera had another solid day with 87 total yards on eight attempts while Dustin Shoaf had the lone rushing score with 62 yards total. On defense, Tyler Buterbaugh had a career day with 16 total tackles for a new career-high with one going for a loss. Nevan Novitski had the lone sack of the game with one tackle for a loss and three total tackles. 

Next Game

Mercyhurst comes home for their next game as they are set open the month of November with Seton Hill on the 4th. The Lakers and Griffins are set to kick off at 2:00 p.m. inside Saxon Stadium with the game serving as Mercyhurst's First Responder and Military Appreciation Day.