DI Duquesne Downs LHU, 45-0

PITTSBURGH – The Lock Haven University football team opened the 2018 season Saturday in Pittsburgh with a 45-0 loss to NCAA Division I FCS opponent Duquesne University.

It marked the Bald Eagles second straight season opener vs. an NCAA FCS opponent. With the win, the Dukes leveled their season record at 1-1 while LHU fell to 0-1.

Duquesne scored on the opening possession of the game and led 14-0 after one quarter. The Dukes tacked on 21 second-quarter points and led 35-0 at halftime.

Linebacker Obadiah Asare (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) led the way for the Bald Eagle defensive unit. The sophomore linebacker was all over the field and finished with a game-high 11 tackles, which included seven solo stops and a one tackle-for-loss. Asare also forced and recovered a fumble. Javon Whitfield (Philadelphia/Simon Gratz) finished with nine tackles in a strong outing, and both Alex Welch (York, Pa./Dallastown) and Zachary King (Reading, Pa./Reading) recorded seven tackles apiece.

LHU quarterback Kyle Knight (Myerstown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon) threw for 81 yards and rushed for 37. Chris Smith (Philadelphia/Archbishop Catholic) led Lock Haven on the ground with 46 yards on six carries. Nysir Minney-Gratz (Easton, Pa./Easton) and Jalen Jackson (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) both made three catches. Minney-Gratz, a 2016 All-Conference return-specialist, looked dangerous returning the ball for The Haven.

For Duquesne, quarterback Daniel Parr led the way with 197 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Dukes rushed for 215 yards and two TDs.
Next week, in ‘Week 2’ action, The Bald Eagles will host Clarion University (Saturday, September 8). The Bald Eagles’ 2018 home-opener is set for a 12 p.m. kickoff.