LHU Football edged by IUP in PSAC East-West Clash
LOCK HAVEN – The game came down to the final minutes, but in the end, the Lock Haven football team was edged out by visiting IUP, 20-17, in a thrilling Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East-West clash that delighted an electric Hubert Jack Stadium crowd of 4,000-plus.
With the loss, the Bald Eagles moved to 1-1 and perennial power – IUP moved to 2-0.
The Haven racked up 335 total yards of offense, thanks in large part to the play of quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky who threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns.
T’iar Young put on a show – much to the delight of the home crowd – as the standout wide receiver racked up 169 yards on five receptions, and he scored two touchdowns.
Young hauled in a 24-yard pass from Ostrowsky to cap a brilliant game-opening drive and Young kept Lock Haven in the game late as he looked to park a comeback after a 79-yard catch-and-run TD with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
Nino Cinti made four catches and KJ Howard made three. Howard did all he could to spark the run-game against IUP’s superb run-defense. Howard finished with 31 yards on 19 carries.
Defensively, the Bald Eagles stood strong throughout and Izzy Ramos was one of many to star. He finished with a team-high seven tackles as did Jaeion Perry.
Kasir Henry made five tackles and had three breakups. Both Davien Vernon and Rocco Daugherty made five tackles. Defensive back Darryl Pollard was all over the field, providing shutout coverage all night. He finished with three tackles, a breakup and a tackle-for-loss.
Both teams scored on their first offensive possessions of the night. Young’s first TD-catch of the game capped a clinical 14-play drive that marched Lock Haven 76 yards in 6:51.
Early in the second quarter, IUP tied the game at 7-7.
The visitors clung to a 14-7 lead at halftime.
The Bald Eagles cut into the IUP lead after Tony Nicassio drilled a 30-yard field goal with 9:03 left in the third quarter. After Nicassio’s field goal, Indiana led 14-10.
With 5:44 left in the game, an IUP field goal extended the lead to 20-10.
The Bald Eagles quickly got back into the game when Young scored on an electrifying 79-yard catch-and-run play.
Once again, the Lock Haven defense stood strong, but as did the IUP defensive unit who helped the visitors hold on late, and escape with a win.
Tonight’ game was a far cry from when the two teams last met in 2019, a 77-14 IUP victory. This time around, the Bald Eagles went head-to-head with the Crimson Hawks, winners of 19 PSAC titles and a team that received votes in this week’s Division II national poll.
The Bald Eagles will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 21 when they host California (Pa.) at 1 p.m.
Tonight’s game marked the first of five home games scheduled this season and it’s the first in a three-game homestand.
Looking ahead, Lock Haven’s 2024 Homecoming Game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28 vs. Millersville. The full 2024 Lock Haven football schedule can be found at GoLHU.com.
