LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Bald Eagles scored on their first nine offensive possessions of the game and the defense racked up four turnovers, which powered the Lock Haven University football team (1-0) to a dominating 57-13 season-opening win tonight 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.
The offense kept rolling in the second and added two third-quarter field goals that stretched the lead to 51-13 with 2:52 left in the third quarter.
In all, the LHU offense racked up 57 total points on 616 total yards including 393 through the air.
Quarterback
Kyle Knight (Myerstown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon) made his return a special one, finishing with four total TDs, including three touchdown passes. Knight ran for 79 yards on 15 carries and one score. He threw for a career-high 296 yards and three TDs. Knight was 21 of 31 with no interceptions.
Ethan Persa (Schnecksville, Pa./Allentown Central) threw for two TDs as the Bald Eagles featured an exciting two-QB set at times.
Chantz Swartz (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) was a leader in the rushing attack as well and hauled in a 22-yard TD pass from Knight to round out a solid day.
Dante Graham (Glen Mills, Pa./Unionville) added a rushing TD.
Preseason All-American
Jalen Jackson (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) and
Bryan Greene (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) both had TD-receptions. Jackson was electrifying and finished with 107 yards. Greene had 65 yards and newcomer
Camron Abalos (Poughkeppsi, N.Y./Spakenkill (Hudson Valley CC)) hauled in four catches for 83 yards.
Justin White (Philadelphia/Ben Franklin) and
Chris Hicks (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) both had TD catches as well as the Bald Eagle offense soared.
Kicker
Charles Hayes (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Niagara Wheatfield) was 3 for 3 on field-goal attempts. He connected from 29, 32 and 27 yards.
As a team, the Bald Eagles' defensive unit recorded three interceptions, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had three sacks.
Cameron Moore (Swell, N.J./West Virginia Wesleyan) and
Stevie Pugh (Coatesville, Pa/Coatesville) finished with five tackles apiece.
Alex Welch (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville),
Traquann Dorn (Washington, D.C./Paul Public Charter) and
Erik Mann (York, Pa./York) all had interceptions. As a unit, the defense recorded five pass breakups in the game.
With the win, Lock Haven improved to 3-0 all-time vs. Lincoln. Tonight's game marked the first time the two teams had met since back-to-back LHU shutout-victories in 1947 and 1948.
Previous to tonight, 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.
UP NEXT:
The Bald Eagles will travel to Clarion for Week 2 action on Saturday, September 14. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
