The LHU football team hits the road for the second straight weekend, as the Bald Eagles travel to No. 9 West Chester for a Week 5 (Saturday, October 4)  showdown with the Golden Rams. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
 
Game Day Central:
Lock Haven (0-4, 0-3 PSAC East) at #9 West Chester (4-0, 3-0 PSAC East)
John A. Farrell Stadium | West Chester University | West Chester, Pa.
 
Follow all the action LIVE:
RADIO/AUDIO - Bear Country Radio WQBR-99.9 FM | Click Here for online stream | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO (SFBN PVP, $6) -
 
West Chester Ticket Information:
General Admission $8
Senior Citizens $5
 
WCU Bag-Check Policy
West Chester University has a bag-check policy in place at all its major events, including home football contests. The policy requires anyone with a bag to open the bag and allow it to be searched prior to entering the stadium or large event venue.  Should the bag carrier not want their bag searched they will not be permitted to enter the stadium or venue with it. A clear bag would be acceptable as we can view contents.
 
Setting the stage:

• Lock Haven hits the road for the second straight Saturday. LHU is 0-2 on the road this season with losses at West Virginia State (WK 1) and at ESU (WK 4).
• This is the 27^th all-time meeting with West Chester. The Golden Rams lead the all-time series 19-6-1.The series dates back to 1931. West Chester won 34-14 last season.
• George Christas and Mike Williams lead Lock Haven's tough defensive unit with 36 total tackles. Their nine tackles per game are the ninth most in the PSAC. Williams's 20 solo stops are No. 7 in the league.
• Caleb Walton's 226.8 passing yards are the eighth most in the conference.
• David Cook's 65 yards receiving/game are the 14^th most in the PSAC.
• West Chester features the PSAC's No. 2 scoring offense (45 pts./game) and the No. 4 rushing offense. WCU beat Millersville 62-7 last Saturday.

 
Depth Charts:
Lock Haven | #9 West Chester
 
*both teams deep depth charts are tentative and subject to change
 
Catch all the games live:
LHU Athletics recently partnered with Bear Country Radio WQBR-99.9 FM for the 2014-15 season and all Bald Eagle football games – home and away can be hard live, and locally on WQBR-99.9 FM and online.
 
Last time out (9/27/13 at East Stroudsburg)
LHU opened PSAC East action with a 48-21 loss at East Stroudsburg University. FULL RECAP -

Quick hits from Week 4:

• Christas heard again – 2014 Preseason All-American selection George Christas (DB) had another huge game for the Bald Eagles defense. For the second straight game, Christas led all players with a game-high 12 stops (6 solo, 1 TFL, 2 pass breakups & 1 INT).
• Walton paces offense – QB Caleb Walton passed for a season-high three TDs, one way from tying his career-high of four set last year at ESU.
• Cook catching on – WR David Cook caught a TD pass for the third straight game.
• Defense playing well – For the second straight game LHU had two interceptions, marking the 18^th time in the last 20 games where LHU had forced a turnover.

 
Week 3 Recap (9/20/14 vs. IUP)
The Bald Eagles rallied for 13 second-half points and the LHU defense played gritty football for 60 minutes, but IUP edged Lock Haven, 21-16. FULL RECAP –

Quick hits from Week 3:
 

• Walton continues to shine – QB Caleb Walton passed for over 220 yards for third straight game and threw two touchdowns for the second straight week. He was 25-of-40 Saturday for 221 yards.
• Causing turnovers – The Bald Eagles picked off IUP twice, marking the 17^th time in the last 19 games, where LHU has forced a turnover.
• All-American performance – Preseason All-American George Christas (DB) had a huge outing and finished with a game/season-high 13 tackles.

 
Week 2 Recap (9/13/14 vs. Seton Hill)
The Bald Eagles dropped their 2014 home and PSAC-opener to visiting Seton Hill, 27-16. LHU led 10-7 at halftime, but Seton Hill rallied for 20 second-half points to escape Hubert Jack Stadium with the victory. FULL RECAP –

Quick hits from Week 2:

• Walton throws for 240 – QB Caleb Walton put up big yardage once again, throwing for 240 yards and two TDs. He's now averaging 247 yards/game.
• Cook has his day – Redshirt-junior WR David Cook had a huge day. He caught eight passes for 123-yards and a score. It marked Lock Haven's first 100-yard receiver since Week 7 of last season vs. West Chester.
• Ballon dominates – Junior LB Tony Ballon made a game-high nine tackles vs. Seton Hill.
• D-FENCE strong – The Bald Eagles made nine tackles for a loss and one interception in the loss.
• Christas comes up big – Senior DB & Preseason All-American George Christas was strong in Week 2, making five tackles to go along with three pass breakups.

 
Week 1 Recap (9/6/14 at West Virginia State)
Following a two hour and 27 minute weather delay, the Bald Eagles rallied for two touchdowns, but the comeback came up just short as LHU was edged 19-14 by host West Virginia State in the season-opener for both teams. FULL RECAP -

Quick hits from Week 1:

• Walton puts up strong numbers – QB Caleb Walton was solid in his 2014 debut, passing for 254 yards – just one yard away from tying his career-best (255 vs. ESU last season). Walton finished 22-for-42 with one TD and one interception.
• Harris makes a splash – Transfer Malyk Harris will never forget his first carry as a Bald Eagle after taking it 15-yards for a touchdown.
• Defense keeps Haven in game - The Bald Eagles defensive unit kept LHU in the game with four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, five sacks, 10 tackles for a loss and six pass breakups. Mike Williams finished with a game-high 14 tackles.
• Options on offense – seven different players caught passes for LHU, including tight end Matt Luebbers, who had six catches.

 
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.
 
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 entered the season 4-28 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. All PSAC games, including the three cross overs contests with teams from the Western Division (Seton Hill, IUP & California) count in the PSAC record/standings.
 
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.
 
2013 offense was clicking:
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.
 
Up next:
Lock Haven returns home after two straight road games to host Shippensburg University on Saturday, October 11 at 3 p.m.