Late defensive stand and Collier touchdowns lead LH Bald Eagles past Millersville
MILLERSVILLE, PA – Lock Haven football running back Chris Collier (Elmrust, N.Y./Lawrence) scored three times and the defense executed a redzone stand in the closing seconds to upend Millersville University, 38-31, on the road in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East action on Saturday.
The victory improves the Bald Eagles to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play, marking the most wins for The Haven since 2016, while securing their first Eastern Division victory since 2018.
The Marauders fall to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, falling at home for the first time in 2023.
The Bald Eagles’ offense led the charge to victory, but it was the defense who ultimately put the nail in the coffin.
With 36 seconds left and holding a 38-31 lead, the Bald Eagles’ defense forced a stop at their own 13-yard line on fourth and goal to secure the victory.
Collier, who earned PSAC East Offensive Player of the Week in week three, rushed for 88 yards on a career-high 30 attempts, finding the endzone a game-high three times.
Danny Sanchez (Bronx, N.Y./. Lehman) added two scores through the air, while totaling 203 yards. DeAaron Lawrence (Middletown, Conn./Middletown) was electric at receiver, hauling in six receptions for 97 yards and a score. Chandler Baker (Batavia, N.Y./Batavia) also scored a touchdown and racked up 77 yards.
The Bald Eagle defense made the stops when it mattered most and were led by Cody Romano (Newton, N.J/Blair Academy) and Jaderian Johnson (Pensacola, Fla./Tate) on the inside and Darryl Pollard (Philadelphia, Pa./Upper Darby) and Kasir Henry (Philadelphia, Pa./Anna Marie College) on the outside. Pollard and Henry combined for 13 tackles and three tackles for loss. Johnson and Romano sacked the QB three times, while Romano broke up three passes.
The Bald Eagles were outgained throughout the contest, but the defense continued to make play-after-play, forcing seven total fumbles in the contest, while recovering four.
Four different Bald Eagles recovered a fumble and Alfred Manyeah (Delco, Pa./Ridley) forced a game-high two fumbles.
In the first half, Millersville jumped out to a convincing 21-7 advantage with three passing touchdowns.
However, Lock Haven stole 10 points to close out the half, thanks to a Brett Zachman (Leesburg, Fla./Eustis) 36-yard field goal and a touchdown connection from Sanchez to Lawrence to make it 21-17 Millersville heading into the break.
The Haven carried that momentum into the second half, benefiting from back-to-back Collier touchdowns to take and extend its lead to 31-21 with 8:50 remaining in the third.
The Marauders countered with a touchdown run of their own five minutes later, but Collier caped off his career day with his third touchdown scamper to make it 38-28 Lock Haven with seven minutes remaining in the contest.
Millersville connected on a 38-yard field goal at the 3:43 mark in the fourth quarter, but a goal line stand by the Bald Eagle defense locked up the victory in the closing seconds for Lock Haven.
The Bald Eagles host Shepherd University for its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game and Grey Eagles Recognition at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7.
