LHU Gridders Fall at IUP, 77-14

RecordStaffSeptember 21, 2019Last Updated: September 21, 2019

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LHU’s Alex Welch. Photo courtesy Lock Haven University Athletics

INDIANA, Pa. – The Lock Haven University football team (1-2) fell to No. 24 Indiana (Pa.) University (3-0), 77-14, on the road Saturday in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover action.

Despite the Bald Eagles moving the ball with ease on their first two offensive possessions early in the game, they couldn’t crack the end zone. Host-IUP was quick to take advantage and jumped out a 42-0 halftime lead.

The game marked LHU’s second straight on the road vs. a PSAC West opponent. The Bald Eagles opened the season back on September 5 with a Week 1 win over Lincoln in non-conference action. It also marked LHU’s first game this season vs. a nationally-ranked opponent. Last season, Lock Haven played four nationally-ranked NCAA Division II opponents including IUP.
Trailing 49-0, the Bald Eagles got on the scoreboard with 8:59 left in the third quarter. Bryan Greene (Milesburg, Pa./Bald Eagle) put LHU on the board with a 7-yard run.

Christan Drayton III (Allentown, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) hauled in a 17-yard touchdown-pass from Kyle Knight (Myerstown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon) with 3:07 left in the third quarter to cap the Lock Haven scoring.

Defensively, Kahari Whitfield (Reading, Pa./Reading) led LHU with eight tackles. Shane Scott (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) and Alex Welch (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) recorded six stops apiece.

Greene finished with four catches for 53 yards (13.3 yards/catch) and he rushed for one TD on two carries. Drayton made four catches for 38 yards and a score.

Knight had 65 rushing yards (6.5 yards/rush), while Chantz Swartz (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata) carried the ball 13 times for 60 yards. Knight was 7 for 20 passing for 88 yards.

After two weeks on the road, the Bald Eagles are set to return home for their 2019 PSAC East opener. The Week 4 game on Saturday, September 28 marks LHU’s 2019 Homecoming Game. Kickoff vs. East Stroudsburg is set for 3 p.m. Last season (September 15, 2018), Lock Haven downed ESU 44-41 in a thriller. Prior to next weekend’s Homecoming Game, the Bald Eagles will honor the 1979 PSAC Championship team, as this fall marks the 40th anniversary of that special season.