LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University football team (0-1) opened the 2015 season tonight (Thursday, September 3) with a 40-13 loss to former PSAC West rival Clarion University (1-0), 40-13.
Despite the loss, several Bald Eagles stood out, including quarterback
Caleb Walton (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) and wide receiver
Shawn Seif (Harrisburg, Pa./Kutztown Univ.), who hooked up for both of Lock Haven's touchdowns on the night.
Walton was 20 of 27 passing for 206 yards and two TDs, while Seif electrified the crowd with five catches, two of which went for scores.
Seif also racked up 86 yards on kickoff returns.
David Cook (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs) added six catches for 73 yards and
Malyk Harris (Harrisburg, Pa./Albright College) rushed for 91 yards on just eight carries.
Defensivley,
Rahjeir Miles-Eubanks (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) led the way for LHU. He finished with 11 tackles (eight solo) and had one interception.
Tony Ballon (Jersey City, N.J./Harrisburg) added nine tackles and one sack.
Tyrai Anderson (Harrisburg, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) and
Isaiah Flamer (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) both made seven stops apiece.
The Bald Eagles finally got on the board with 2:47 left in the first half, when Walton hit Seif on a 12-yard touchdown pass that capped a six-play, 73-yard drive. It marked the first TD-catch of Seif's career.
The touchdown cut the Clarion lead to 10 with the Golden Eagles leading 17-7.
Clarion was quick to respond however and went down the field, and added a field goal as time expired in the first half. The Golden Eagles led 20-7 at the break.
Walton and Seif hooked up again late in the third quarter. Seif hauled in a 20-yard TD pass from Walton, capping an eight-play, 64-yard drive.
Seif's second touchdown catch of the game made it 27-13 in favor of Clarion, but the Golden Eagles tacked two fourth-quarters TDs.
Clarion quarterback Connor Simmons threw for 407 yards in the win.
Lock Haven hits the road in Week 2, traveling to Seton Hill next Saturday, September 12 (3 p.m.).
LHU Notes:Caleb Walton made his 17th career (17th consecutive) start at quarterback for Lock Haven … Senior
Luke Erdman (center) made his 31st career (31st consecutive start); he's started every game since Week 4 of his freshman year in 2012 … Walton now has 26 career TD passes, tied for the fourth all-time in school history … Tonight's loss spoiled first-year head coach
Dave Taynor's Bald Eagle debut.