BROOKINGS, SD – The Mercyhurst football team rounded out non-conference play Saturday afternoon at No. 2 South Dakota State, falling 51-7. The team traveled over 4,900 miles during the opening five weeks of play, facing four teams ranked in the national top 25.
 
South Dakota State (4-0) got out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. The Lakers held the Jackrabbits to a field goal on their opening drive, but found the endzone on their next two drives, capitalizing on a Mercyhurst turnover.
 
Mercyhurst (1-4) got on the board to start the second quarter, as Urena connected with Dylan Evans for a 14-yard gain to convert on 4^th-and-14. The drive culminated in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Urena to Evan Van Dyke. Max Young made the extra point to make the score 17-7 with 13:38 remaining in the second quarter.
 
The Lakers defense forced the Jackrabbits into two field goals to end the first half with SDSU leading 23-7.
 
The Jackrabbits remained in control in the second half, adding two touchdowns in each of the remaining quarter to take a 51-7 win over the Lakers and remain undefeated.
 
Van Dyke led the receiving corps for Mercyhurst with five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Urena completed 12 of 18 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown. On defense, Braylon Beckwith recorded nine tackles, marking the highest total for the Lakers. Timmy Fleischood Jr. contributed significantly with eight tackles from the linebacker position.
 
Mercyhurst returns to Saxon Stadium Oct. 4 for homecoming. It will also serve as the first NEC game of the season as they host LIU.