Full Notes (PDF)

The game:
The Bald Eagles return home during week four to open up PSAC West action with national-power Mercyhurst.  It will be the first conference game for both teams.  The game also marks the first road test for the Lakers, who will be entering the game with a 2-1 overall record.  Kickoff at Hubert Jack Stadium (3,500) on the campus of Lock Haven University is set for 3 p.m.  Lock Haven enters the game with a record of 0-2 after falling to No. 16 Kutztown last week 49-6.  Mercyhurst also fell to Kutztown in week two of the season 35-28.  This will be the second home game for Lock Haven on the young season.

Watch the game live:
The game can be viewed live via a HAVENcast webcast, visit www.GoLHU.com for link (play-by-play John Vitale, color commentary Andre Brown).

Setting the stage:
The Lakers have opened the season with a 2-1 record and are coming off of a 34-7 win over C.W. Post last week.  Mercyhurst brings the PSAC's best passing attack led by senior quarterback Travis Rearick and senior wide receiver Trevor Kennedy.  Rearick leads the conference in passing with 1,069 yards, averaging 356.3 per game.  Kennedy leads the conference in receiving with 463 yards, averaging 154.3 per game and has scored seven touchdowns.  The Lakers as a team are ranked third in both total offense and defense in the conference.  The Bald Eagles are currently 0-2 on the season and are coming off of a 49-6 defeat to No. 16 Kutztown last week.  The loss brought the Bald Eagles' losing streak to 34 games.  The PSAC record for consecutive losses is 39 by Cheyney (1994-98) and the Division II record is 46 by Minnesota-Morris (1998-2003). Lock Haven's last win came in the 2007 season finale on the road at Clarion University (17-14 OT).

The series:
Mercyhurst controls the brief series history with the Bald Eagles.  The two teams started playing in 2008 when Mercyhurst joined the PSAC and have met three times since.  The Lakers have won all three meetings including a 41-0 win over Lock Haven last year.  The first meeting in 2008 resulted in a win for Mercyhurst 49-14.

Last time vs. Mercyhurst:
Lock Haven and Mercyhurst met in week four of the 2010.  The Bald Eagles held Mercyhurst scoreless through the first quarter, and only trailed 7-0 at halftime.  The Lakers came out on fire in the second half scoring 28 third quarter points on their way to the 41-0 victory.  Quarterback Jarryd Burkett threw for 105 yards and Jesse Hoover hauled in five passes for 81 yards to lead the Bald Eagles offensively.  Defensive back Raymond Mosby lead the way defensively recording five tackles for the Bald Eagles.

Lock Haven's last time out:
The Bald Eagles fell to No. 16 Kutztown 49-6 in a PSAC crossover matchup last week.  Jarryd Burkett threw for 156 yards in the defeat.  Devin Sims caught three passes for 68 yards to lead all Bald Eagle receivers.  Brandon Brader continued his excellent start to the season by running for 109 yards on 23 carries.  He ran for 105 yards in the Bald Eagles' opener vs. Millersville in week two.  Brader's performances mark the first time since October of 2005 that a Bald Eagle rusher has eclipsed the 100 yard mark in back-to-back games.  Derek Marshall was the last to do so when he ran for 143 yards vs. Indiana (Pa.) on October 22, 2005 and backed it up with 132 yards vs. California (Pa.) the following week.  Defensively against Mercyhurst, Lock Haven was lead by senior linebacker Ibrahim Smith.  Smith lead the team with seven total tackles as well as forcing and recovering a fumble.  Defensive back Raymond Mosby had another solid performance recording six tackles.

Mercyhurst's last time out:
The Lakers were able to right the ship last week when they defeated C.W. Post 34-7 in a PSAC crossover game.  The Lakers dominated the Pioneers offensively out-gaining them 455 to 123.  Mercyhurst was lead by quarterback Travis Rearick who threw for 372 yards and two touchdowns.  Rearick connected with wide receiver Trevor Kennedy 11 times on the day.  Kennedy recorded 206 yards receiving and found the end zone twice.  Sophomore running back Ricky Matthews also had a solid game rushing for 54 yards and two touchdowns.  Defensively the Lakers were lead by senior linebacker Ian Wild who recorded 10 tackles (eight solo), one tackle for loss, and forced two fumbles recovering one.  Wild was named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

Statistical highlights:
Brandon Brader's great start on the ground this year has him ranked right up there with the best in the conference.  Brader is currently ranked third in the PSAC and 22nd in the nation in rushing yards per game at 107.  The passing game for the Bald Eagles has been impressive so far this year as well.  Quarterback Jarryd Burkett is currently ranked sixth in the PSAC in passing yards per game at 218.5.  Senior kicker Noah Heimer is four for five on field goal attempts this year.  He is currently ranked second in the PSAC in field goals per game at 2.00.  His 80% field goal percentage also ranks him fourth in the nation and third in the conference.

PSAC in the AFCA Poll:
PSAC schools are doing a good job representing the conference in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Polls.  Heading into week four, there are four PSAC schools ranked in the top 25 of the poll.  Bloomsburg leads the way as they are ranked No. 4.  After beating Lock Haven last week, Kutztown has moved up to No. 12.  The California (Pa.) Vulcans are ranked No. 17, and Edinboro is ranked No. 19.  Lock Haven's opponent this week, Mercyhurst, who was ranked No. 25 last week, has dropped out of the top 25.  They received 67 votes this week, leaving the Lakers one vote away from the top 25.  The Bald Eagles are scheduled to play Edinboro, California (Pa.), and Bloomsburg later on this season.