Shepherd (2-2, 0-1 PSAC East) at Lock Haven (1-3, 0-1 PSAC East)
Week 5 // Thursday, October 3 // 6 p.m.
Lock Haven University // Lock Haven, Pa. // Hubert Jack Stadium (artificial field turf)
PSAC Eastern Divisional Game
 
QUICK HITS:

• The Week 5 PSAC East clash will be the first-ever meeting between Lock Haven and Shepherd in football.
• It's the second of two LHU Thursday-night home games during the 2019 season. It's the second straight home game for Lock Haven. The Bald Eagles are 1-1 at home after opening the season with a Thursday-night win.
• During the pre-game, the Bald Eagles with honor their PSAC 150 Contributors.

 
GAME DAY LINKS:
Game Day Coverage
Game Day Parking & Transportation Advisory
LHU's 150 PSAC Contributors
LHU Football Homepage (full schedule, roster, stats & more)
Shepherd Football Homepage (full schedule, roster, stats & more)
 
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University football team is set for another edition of Thursday night football at Hubert Jack Stadium, as the Bald Eagles host Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) newcomer Shepherd University tomorrow (Thursday, October 2) at 6 p.m.
 
This marks Shepherd's first full year as a member of the PSAC and the PSAC East Divisional clash will mark the first meeting in school history between the two longtime NCAA Division II football programs.
 
Lock Haven is 1-3 overall (0-1 PSAC) East. The Bald Eagles are coming off a Homecoming loss to East Stroudsburg in Week 4 action. The game vs. ESU marked LHU's 2019 PSAC East opener. Thursday's game marks LHU's second straight home game and second of two games scheduled on Thursday night this season. For 2019, LHU is 1-1 at home and 1-0 on Thursday night after opening the season at home with a lopsided Thursday-night win over Lincoln (57-13).
 
Shepherd is 2-2 overall (0-1 PSAC East) and made its PSAC East debut at home last weekend with a loss to Kutztown, 34-27 in a thriller that came down the game's final plays. Kutztown received votes in his week's national poll. On the season, the Rams have wins over Meryhurst and Clarion. Shepherd beat Clarion, 40-24, a week after Clarion topped Lock Haven, 48-20.
 
The Rams will bring to Lock Haven the No. 1 pass offense in the PSAC and the No. 3 overall offensive unit.  
 
Game Day Coverage:
Visit www.GoLHU.com on game day for live coverage links. Fans can also listen to the game live and locally on the Bear Country Sports Network. Bear Country Radio, WQBR (99.9FM) is the flagship radio station of LHU Athletics.
 
Week 5 (vs. Shepherd) news, notes & storylines:

• LHU hasn't played a team from the state of West Virginia since 2014 when the Bald Eagles opened the season at West Virginia State. Lock Haven lost 19-14. Back in 2013, LHU opened the season with a 31-13 victory over West Virginia State, marking Lock Haven's last victory over a team from West Virginia.
• On the season, LHU has five interceptions, which ranks No. 7 in the PSAC.
• Jalen Jackson (3GP/3GS, sat out Week 3), a 2018 All-American and a 2019 Preseason All-American, ranks ninth in the PSAC in receiving yards per game. He's the No. 1 ranked tight end in the league at 87.3 yards/game.
• Jackson is one of two LHU players ranked in the top-15 in the PSAC in receiving yards per game. Bryan Greene (WR) ranks No. 13 at 72.8 yards per game.
• Running back Chantz Swartz ranks seventh in the PSAC in rushing yards per game with 70.8.
• Defensive Back (FS) Kahari Whitfield leads LHU with 25 total tackles.

 
LHU's last time out // Week 4 2019 (September 28)

• Lock Haven opened PSAC East action with a 63-14 loss to East Stroudsburg.
• The loss spoiled LHU's 2019 Homecoming. FULL RECAP & BOX SCORE

Honoring Lock Haven's all-time greats:
Tomorrow night, LHU and the PSAC will honor some of LHU's all-time greats after Lock Haven was well represented on the PSAC's 150 Contributors. In early August, as part of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's annual football media day, the league was honored to recognize a group of individuals who have been distinguished as the PSAC's 150 Contributors as part of celebrating 150 years of college football.
 
In all, eight former Bald Eagle players and coaches were named to the PSAC's 150 Contributors: Rob Carey, Fran Cornelius, George Dintiman, Hubert Jack, Bill McCollum, Bob Peck, Joe Speese and Caleb Walton. This group will be honored at LHU's home game on Thursday, October 3.
 
Celebrating a championship:
Prior to the Homecoming game on Saturday (September 28) LHU honored the 1979 PSAC Championship Football Team. For the LHU football program, the 2019 season marks the Bald Eagles 40th anniversary of their 1979 PSAC Championship. Overall, LHU went 9-2 overall during the '79 season. Lock Haven was a perfect 6-0 in PSAC West play that season on the way to the regular season divisional title. In the title game that season, the Bald Eagles rolled by Cheyney, 48-14. To date, the '79 championship marks LHU's last PSAC title in football. It was the Bald Eagles eighth overall. The "Saylor System" awarded Lock Haven the 1958 co-conference title after an 8-0 season (5-0 PSAC). The "Sportswriters" also crowned the Bald Eagles conference champs in 1942, 1937, 1936, 1933, 1931 and 1930.
 
Hayes named 2019 Week 1 PSAC East Special Teams Athlete of the Week:
Back on Monday (Week 1; September 9), kicker Charles Hayes was named the PSAC East Special Teams Player of the Week. Hayes, a junior-transfer from Erie Community College, was impressive in his Bald Eagle debut last Thursday and his three for three night on field goal attempts was a big reason behind Lock Haven's lopsided season-opening win over Lincoln. LHU won 57-13, marking The Haven's first win in a season-opener since 2013. Hayes connected from 29 yards in the second quarter to extend the LHU lead to 17-6. He was good from 32 yards in the third and added a 27-yard field goal late in the third quarter to round out his solid night. After Week 1, Hayes has the most made field goals of any player in the PSAC. Last season ('18) at Erie C.C., he was six of nine on field goals attempts with a long of 32 yards.
 
Jackson (TE) named Preseason All-American:
Prior to the start of the 2019 season, standout junior tight end Jalen Jackson (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) of the Lock Haven University football team has been named a 2019 Preseason All-American. Jackson was named to the 2019 D2Football.com Preseason All-American Team as he was placed on the Second Team. The offensive-standout enjoyed a breakout season last year and looks to be an important part of what should be an exciting and high-flying 2019 LHU offensive unit.
 
LHU's Week 1 win:
- LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Thurs, Sept. 5) - The Bald Eagles scored on their first nine offensive possessions of the game and the defense racked up four turnovers, which powered LHU (1-0) to a dominating 57-13 season-opening win over Lincoln University. The LHU offense rolled from the start and scored on every offensive possession in the first half, which included six touchdowns and one field goal. The Bald Eagle defense was not to be out done and came away with two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the first half. Lock Haven led Lincoln (0-1) 45-6 at halftime.
- Full Game Recap // Box Score
 
Playing the best:
LHU's Week 3 (September 21) PSAC Crossover at IUP marked the Bald Eagles first game in 2019 vs. a nationally-ranked opponent. IUP was ranked No. 24 at the time. To date, IUP sits as one of two nationally-ranked opponents Lock Haven is scheduled to play. West Chester is ranked among the top-25 and the Bald Eagles will meet WCU on November 9. 
 
During the 2018 season last year, LHU played four nationally-ranked NCAA Division II teams. Two of those four came in PSAC East play vs. Kutztown and West Chester. Lock Haven also played IUP and at Texas A&M Commerce. IUP was ranked No. 3 last season when the two teams met early in the year and Texas A&M Commerce was ranked ninth when the Bald Eagles traveled southwest for the second of two games vs. top-10 opponents last season.
 
Opening with a win:
In each of the last two seasons, the Bald Eagles opened the season vs. NCAA Division I FCS opponents. Last season (2018), Lock Haven opened the year vs. Duquesne and in 2017, the Bald Eagles played at Saint Francis (Pa.). Before the Week 1 win, the last time LHU won a season-opening game was in 2013 (Sept. 7), as the Bald Eagles topped West Virginia State, 31-13 at home. That season-opening victory in 2013 marked LHU's first season-opening win since Lock Haven opened the 2005 season on the road at Cheyney with a win.
 
Offense soars in opener:
In all, the Bald Eagles racked up 616 total yards of offense in the Week 1 win over Lincoln. It marked the most yards in a game since Lock Haven totaled 724 yards in the 2016 road-win at East Stroudsburg. Last season (2018), LHU amassed 500-plus yards of total offense twice, both times on the way to wins. Of those 616 yards in Week 1, 393 came in the air thanks in large-part to Lock Haven quarterbacks Kyle Knight and Ethan Persa. The two combined for five touchdown passes. The 57 points vs. Lincoln marked the most since LHU scored 62 vs. Cheyney in 2017 (Oct. 7), a 62-0 shutout win for the Bald Eagles.
 
D-FENCE strong:
Despite the video game numbers from the offensive unit, the LHU defense was ready for the task Week 1 vs. Lincoln and certainly helped pave the way for the win with a well-balanced effort. As a team, the Bald Eagles' defensive unit recorded three interceptions, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had three sacks. Cameron Moore and Stevie Pugh finished with five tackles apiece. Alex Welch, Traquann Dorn and Erik Mann all had interceptions. As a unit, the defense recorded five pass breakups.
 
Knight with a career-high in return:
Dual-threat QB Kyle Knight (R-So.) marked his return to the field in a big way as he threw for a career-high 296 yards in the Week 1 win over Lincoln. He threw for three touchdowns and ran for one. After a remarkable true-freshman season in 2017, Knight was injured in Week 1 last year and missed the remainder of the season.
 
2019 LHU Coaching Staff:
Dave Taynor // Head Coach (Quarterbacks, Tight Ends)
- 5th season at LHU (2019): 11-37 (9-19 PSAC East)
- 12th season overall (48-77)
*coaching records updated after Week 4 2019
Bill Nickell // Offensive Coordinator (Offensive Line, Tight Ends)
Marshall Hall // Defensive Coordinator (Linebackers)
Chris Sprague // Defensive Line
Cameron Tobias // Running Backs/Quarterbacks Assistant
Joseph Webb // Wide Receivers/Special Teams Coordinator
Joshua Radford // Defensive Backs
 
Bald Eagles picked eighth:
In early August, the PSAC released its preseason coaches' poll and LHU was picked to finish eighth in the Eastern Division. West Chester grabbed six of eight first-place votes and sat atop the preseason poll in the East. PSAC-newcomer Shepherd received a pair of first-place votes and was ranked second in the preseason coaches' poll. Kutztown rounded out the top-three. Shippensburg checked in at No. 4 and was followed by No. 5 Bloomsburg, No. 6. East Stroudsburg, No. 7 Millersville, before the Bald Eagles at No. 8.
 
In the Western Division, Slippery Rock was picked as the preseason-favorite. The Rock received six of eight first-place votes. Cal U checked in at No. 2 and IUP rounded out the top-three. Mercyhurst was voted in at No. 4 and the Lakers were followed by No. 5 Edinboro, No. 6 Gannon, No. 7 Clarion and No. 8 Seton Hill.
 
A look back at last year:
Last season, Lock Haven was 2-9 overall and 1-5 in PSAC East action. The Bald Eagles' PSAC East win came in their divisional opener (Week 4, Sept. 22) at East Stroudsburg, as they knocked off the hosts, 44-41, in a thriller. LHU closed the 2018 season with another thrilling road victory. Playing in blizzard-like conditions at Gannon, Lock Haven came away with a 50-48 win at Gannon in last year's season-finale. The win over Gannon marked head coach Dave Taynor's first against a PSAC West opponent and Lock Haven's first win against a Western-Division team since the 2007 season-finale at Clarion.
 
A win out west:
Lock Haven closed the 2018 season last year with a thrilling 50-48 win at Gannon in blizzard-like conditions. The win marked head coach Dave Taynor's first against a PSAC West opponent and Lock Haven's first win against a PSAC Western Division team since the 2007 season-finale at Clarion.
 
Jackson, an All-American at tight end, returns:
All-American tight end Jalen Jackson returns to lead the way for the Bald Eagle offense. Following a remarkable sophomore season in 2018, Jackson was named to three different All-American Teams after earning First Team All-Region and All-PSAC East honors. Jackson, one of the premier tight ends in all of Division II football and one of the most dynamic offense threats in the PSAC, led all players at the position in the PSAC with seven receiving touchdowns last season. Jackson hauled in 44 catches for 537 yards. Jackson averaged 48.8 receiving yards per game. He capped the season with a three-touchdown game in the thrilling win over Gannon in the season-finale on the road. Back in 2017 as a true-freshman, Jackson hauled in 26 catches for 332 yards.
 
Knight back under center:
Dual-threat quarterback Kyle Knight returns to the field for Lock Haven in 2019. Knight, who will be a redshirt-sophomore, suffered a season-ending injury during Week 1 of the last season, but he will look to build off a remarkable true-freshman season in 2017. During his true-freshman season in 2017, he took over the play calling in Week 2 vs. perennial DII power Slippery Rock, went on to rush for 104 yards and the rest is history as he then rattled off a remarkable "run" over the next seven games. In all, the two-time PSAC Offensive Player of the Week made six starts (10GP) and finished with 760 rushing yards (76/game), 655 passing yards (65.5/game), 10 total touchdowns (8 rush, 2 pass) and he threw for just two interceptions in 114 attempts. Knight recorded four games of 100-plus rushing yards including 174 in the comeback-win at Bloomsburg. He rushed for a season-high 181 yards and four TDs in the win over Cheyney. He threw for 264 yards in a narrow-loss to ESU in Week 10.
 
Pair of additional offensive standouts return:
Running back Chantz Swartz and wide receiver Bryan Greene return to help round out an impressive group of offensive returners who stood out a year ago for the Bald Eagles. Swartz and Green, both of whom were All-PSAC East Offensive Second Team selections last season, are two of six total offensive starters returning for head coach Dave Taynor. Last season, Greene did it all for Lock Haven. The hard-nosed wide receiver hauled in 41 catches for 578 yards and three TDs. He also added another speedy-threat to the run game and provided outstanding downfield-blocking. In 2018, Swartz carried the ball 126 times for 759 yards. He averaged 69 rushing yards per game and scored five rushing TDs on the season. Swartz also had four touchdown catches and led the Bald Eagles in scoring with 48 points.
 
Returning defensive stat leaders come in youthful form:
Linebacker Alex Welch is LHU's top returning defensive player. Last season he made 69 tackles (30 solo, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 brup, 3 ff). Welch, a redshirt-junior headlines a trio of extremely talented returning linebackers. Shane Scott and Austin Barber, are both rising sophomores who started last season as true-freshmen. Scott registered 49 tackles and Barber made 32 stops. They combined for 5.5 tackles-for-loss,
 
Lock Haven Returning Stat Leaders:
*2018 stats …
Passing
Ethan Persa (34-81, 495 YDS, 2 TD)
Rushing
Chantz Swartz (126 CAR, 759 YDS, 5 TD)
Receiving
Jalen Jackson (44 REC, 537 YDS, 7 TD, 48.8 YDS/G)
Bryan Greene (41 REC, 578 YDS, 3 TD, 57.8 YDS/G)
Defensive
Alex Welch (69 TOT, 30 SOLO, 5.5 TFL)
Shane Scott (49 TOT, 27 SOLO, 2 TFL)
Austin Barber (32 TOT, 23 SOLO, 3.5 TFL)
 
The 2019 schedule
In all, the 2019 schedule features an 11-game slate, which includes six home games. Of those six home games, two will come on Thursday night. Homecoming comes early for the Bald Eagles in 2019, as they host PSAC East rival East Stroudsburg on Saturday, September 28 at 3 p.m. The game also marks LHU's 2019 PSAC East opener. For the first time, Lock Haven will host PSAC-newcomer Shepherd in PSAC East play. The Week 5 contest will be played on Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. The Bald Eagles will also host Kutztown, West Chester and Gannon during the season. Lock Haven's road games will come at Clarion, IUP, Millersville, Bloomsburg and Shippensburg. *The full 2019 schedule is available at GoLHU.com.
 
Up next:
After two straight home games, LHU will head back on the road for Week 6 action. The Bald Eagles will take advantage of a couple extra days of rest, thanks to playing on Thursday, before heading to Millersville University for a 12 p.m. kick on Saturday, October 12.