The LHU football team is set to open the 2014 season on Saturday, September 6 at 1 p.m. on the road at West Virginia State in non-conference action.
 
Game Day Central:
Lock Haven (0-0) at West Virginia State (0-0)
Lakin Field at Dickerson Stadium (natural grass/5,000) | Institute, West Virginia

Ticket Information for Week 1 at West Virginia State - 
Adults - $5
Visiting College Students w/ID - $2 | No ID - $5
Ages 13-18 - $2

 Follow all the Action:
Audio | Live Stats
 
PSAC Weekly Football Notes
 
Depth Charts:
Lock Haven | West Virginia State
 
*both two-deep depth charts are tentative and subject to change
 
Setting the stage:

• Lock Haven and West Virginia State meet to open the season for the second consecutive year.
• Last season, LHU beat the Yellow Jackets 31-13 at home in the first meeting between the two schools.
• Following Saturday's season-opener, the Bald Eagles will play 10 PSAC games, including seven vs. PSAC East opponents. All 10 games count in the PSAC standings, which is new for the 2014 season.

 
Last time vs. West Virginia State (Sept. 7, 2013):
The LHU football team scored 28 third-quarter points and the Bald Eagles picked up their first season-opening win since 2005, as LHU dropped West Virginia State, 31-13 in front of a packed Hubert Jack Stadium crowd. Click Here for full recap.
 
Building off 2013's success:
The Bald Eagles will look to build off their 2013 success. LHU finished 3-8 overall, marking its most wins since 2004. Following the season, the Bald Eagles had four players named to the All-PSAC team. Seniors Brandon Brader, James Wilbern, Anthony Herko and Tyrek Morgan were all named to the All-PSAC East Second Team. The four Bald Eagles earning All-Conference honors were the most since LHU had five players named All-PSAC in 2005. After it was all said and done, Brader finished his remarkable career with 2,704 career rushing yards, which is fourth-best mark in school history. It didn't end there as senior Kyle White was nominated for the Gene Upshaw Award, given annually to the top lineman in Division II football.
 
Allen's fourth year:
John Allen enters his fourth season as head coach at Lock Haven. Allen and his staff have worked hard to change the culture of the Bald Eagle program. The progress shows as Lock Haven football is back on the map. Allen is 4-23 for his career (all at LHU).
 
Familiar in the East:
The Bald Eagles enter their second season as a member of the PSAC Eastern Division and they certainly made themselves at home quickly a year ago. LHU moved to the East after the July 2013 additions of Seton Hill and Pitt-Johnstown to the PSAC. Last year, LHU went 2-5 in PSAC East play with wins over Cheyney and Millersville.
 
Christas, Preseason All-American:
Senior safety George Christas enters the season as a Preseason All-American. He was named to the 2014 Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL) Preseason Senior All-American team. Christas earned a spot on the Second Team defense. He started all 11 games last season, leading LHU with 84 tackles (63-solo, team-high & 21 assisted). Christas had 3.5 tackles for a loss and five interceptions. His five interceptions were tied for the second-most in the conference.
 
Following the 2013 season Christas was also nominated for the inaugural Cliff Harris Award, which was awarded to the top small college defensive player representing NCAA Division II, III and NAIA colleges and universities.
 
Boumerhi, One to Watch:
Junior Alex Boumerhi has been named to the 2014 Fred Mitchell "Outstanding Place-Kicker" Award Watch List.
 
Last season, Boumerhi quickly established himself as one of the best place-kickers in the PSAC. He was 9-for-15 on field goal attempts with a long of 48 yards in 2013. His nine field goals were the third-most in the PSAC and his long of 48-yards was the second longest made in the conference last year. His 60 percent accuracy rate on field goal attempts was No. 4 in the PSAC. Boumerhi was 19-of-23 on extra-point tries, leading the Bald Eagles in scoring with 46 points. He also averaged 56.9 yards on kickoffs.
 
Walton under center:
Redshirt-sophomore Caleb Walton will be the Bald Eagles No. 1 under center. In 2013, Walton played in all 11 games, while making five starts. He was 102-for-189 for 1,156 yards and nine touchdowns. He threw for 105.1 yards per game, while adding 305 yards on the ground, giving LHU an athletic and dual-threat quarterback.
 
Swales to carry the load:
Junior Beau Swales will be the Bald Eagles number-one ball carrier in 2014. He saw limited action out of the backfield last season, but made the most of his opportunities. Swales played in all 11 games, carrying the ball 29 times for 90 yards and a touchdown. He led LHU last season with 594 yards on kick returns, while averaging 22.8 per return.
 
Offensive production:
The Bald Eagles 2013 offense averaged 282.1 total yards per game and scored 24 touchdowns -  both are the most since '04. LHU averaged 105.8 yards per game on the ground and 176.3 in the air for the season.
 
Winning ways:
Lock Haven's three wins in 2013 were the most in a single season since 2004.
Lock Haven opened the season 2-1 and the Bald Eagles' win over Millersville on the road in Week 8 snapped a 30-game road-losing streak that dated back to the 2007 campaign.
 
The Haven's season-opening win over West Virginia State gave Lock Haven two straight wins dating back to the 2012 season – the first time it had won two straight since 2002. The Bald Eagles Week 3 win over Cheyney also gave LHU three straight wins at home for the first time since '02.
 
Deep rookie class:
The Bald Eagles have added a number of new faces for the 2014 season, including 27 freshmen. Leading the way is a pair of offensive linemen, who are projected to start – Austin Heinbaugh (RG) and Chris Bonnk (RT).
 
Transfers:
LHU will also benefit from 10 transfers, including backup quarterback Shaun Jones. The redshirt-junior played in two games last season for Kentucky Christian University. He was 20-for-35 passing for 156 yards (78 yds./gm) and two touchdowns.
 
Up next:
Lock Haven returns to action on Saturday, September 13 at 3 p.m. when the Bald Eagles host Seton Hill. The game marks The Haven's 2014 home-opener and LHU's 2014 "Community Day."