LHU: Football falls in conference-opener against East Stroudsburg

EAST STROUDSBURG, PA – The Lock Haven University football team (1-3, 0-1 PSAC East) fell in a road matchup with East Stroudsburg University (2-2, 1-0 PSAC East), 48-7, in what was the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon.

After a scoreless first quarter which saw both defenses force turnovers, East Stroudsburg finally opened the scoring in the second quarter when Devon Banks notched a 22-yard pick-six to help the Warriors open up a seven-point lead.

The opening touchdown opened up the offense for ESU, and the Warriors tacked on 10 more points to take a 17-0 lead into halftime. East Stroudsburg was able to hold the Bald Eagles scoreless once again in the second half and added 17 points in the third quarter and another 14 points in the final quarter.

Sophomore quarterback Samuel Barber (Johnston, Pa./Greater Johnston) and Kenneth Pettiford (Long Pond, Pa./Pocono Mountain West) got the Bald Eagles on the board with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The pair hooked up on a 79-yard touchdown pass for LHU’s lone touchdown of the game.

The Warriors rode out the remaining minutes to notch the PSAC East victory, 48-7.

Thanks to the long touchdown completion in the fourth quarter, Pettiford led all receivers with 104 yards on four catches.

Defensively, Brandan Talbott (Manheim, Pa./Coatesville) nearly completed a pick-six of his own for the Bald Eagles, but was ruled out after a 54-yard return.

Kasir Henry (Philadelphia/School of the Future (Anna Maria)) led all players with nine total tackles. Austin Barber (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown) also made an impact with eight tackles including one tackle for a loss.

Up Next:

The Bald Eagles return to Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday, October 1 to host Millersville. That PSAC Eastern Division match is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff.