Pittsburgh, PA-The Mercyhurst football team put up a strong fight against conference opponent Duquesne but ultimately fell short, 31-24, at Arthur J. Rooney Field in Pittsburgh. The Lakers, led by dynamic performances from Adam Urena and Rylan Davison, kept the game competitive with timely plays on both offense and defense. Davison not only set the Mercyhurst single game receptions record this afternoon, but also secured an NEC season high for receptions in a game with 14. Mercyhurst is now 2-7 on the year.
 
How It Happened
 
Mercyhurst opened the game on a high note with a dominant 10-play, 69-yard drive. Urena, showing precision early on, completed 6 of 8 passes, culminating in a touchdown to wide receiver Rylan Davison to give the Lakers a 7-0 lead. Duquesne responded but missed a field goal on their opening possession, allowing Mercyhurst to hold onto its early advantage.
 
The Lakers' defense made a crucial stop at the goal line later in the first half. As Duquesne pushed deep into Mercyhurst territory, linebacker Tyler Buterbaugh recovered a fumble, stalling the Dukes' drive and preventing a near-certain score. Just before halftime, defensive back Keon'te Huguely came up with a timely interception, halting Duquesne's momentum and securing Mercyhurst's lead as they headed into the break.
 
After halftime, Duquesne rallied, finding the end zone multiple times as they pressed the Lakers' defense. Despite this, Mercyhurst's offense continued to execute, with Urena and Davison leading the charge. Urena completed a game-high 38 of 52 passes for 345 yards and three touchdowns. His connection with Davison proved unstoppable, as Davison hauled in a career-high 14 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns. This remarkable performance not only set a new NEC single-game high for receptions this season but also marked the most catches by a Laker, surpassing Stephen Yarbrough's 12-catch performance in 2014 against Cal U (Pa).
 
Late in the fourth quarter, with Mercyhurst down by a touchdown, Urena orchestrated a 12-play drive that advanced the Lakers deep into Duquesne territory. The drive ultimately stalled, however, as Duquesne's defense held firm to close out the game. Despite the loss, Mercyhurst's offensive unit showcased resilience and cohesion, highlighted by Urena and Davison's chemistry.
 
Key Performances
 
In addition to Urena's 345 passing yards and three touchdowns, Davison's 14 receptions set a new standard within the NEC for single game catches this season. Cameron Barmore also contributed with eight receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown, providing a reliable target throughout the game. On special teams, Nathan Nagucki connected on a 21-yard field goal, adding to the Lakers' point total.
 
Defensive Standouts
 
Alongside Huguely's interception and Buterbaugh's fumble recovery, linebacker Zach Hill and defensive lineman Camden White combined for a strong showing, contributing key tackles to contain Duquesne's potent rushing attack, which included a standout performance by JaMario Clements with 177 rushing yards for the Dukes.
 
Up Next
 
The Lakers, now 2-7 overall and 0-3 in NEC play, will look to rebound as they return home to face Lincoln University at Saxon Stadium. The game, set for Saturday at 11 a.m., will be highlighted by Senior recognition, giving the team an extra push as they aim to get back into the win column in front of their home fans.
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