LHU Football Season Opens Thursday
LOCK HAVEN — It will be a new look Lock Haven University football program when the Bald Eagles host former PSAC West rival Clarion in a non-conference game at Jack Stadium this Thursday evening.
Kickoff Thursday is set for 6:08 p.m. and the game will be televised live.
Gameday Central:
Clarion University (Golden Eagles) at Lock Haven University (Bald Eagles)
6:08 p.m. | Hubert Jack Stadium (3,000 | Artificial Field Turf)
2014 Records: Clarion 2-9, 2-8 PSAC West | Lock Haven 2-9, 2-8 PSAC East
Bald Eagles 1st & 10:
1. Thursday marks the Bald Eagles only scheduled night game of the 2015 season.
2. Thursday’s game marks the first of six home games on the schedule.
3. Lock Haven was picked in a tie for sixth in the PSAC Eastern Division Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
4. In all, Lock Haven has won four PSAC Championships in school history (1936, 1937, 1957 & 1979).
5. Lock Haven will be one of six PSAC schools in action Thursday night.
6. The last time LHU opened the season at home – 2013 – the Bald Eagles won (W, 31-13 vs. West Virginia State).
7. The Bald Eagle defense forced a turnover in all but one game last season.
8. Quarterback Caleb Walton in poised to make his 17th consecutive start under center. He started all 11 games last season and the last five of the 2013 season.
9. Linebacker Tony Ballon recorded five or more tackles in seven different games last season, including a season-high 13 in Week 6 vs. Shippensburg.
10. Ironman-center Luke Erdman is set to make his 31st career/consecutive start on Thursday. He’s started every game since Week 4 in 2012 vs. Edinboro.
The Series:
Thursday (September 3) marks the 63rd meeting between Lock Haven and Clarion. Clarion leads the all-time series 45-16-1 and the Golden Eagles have won six straight over LHU. Lock Haven’s last win over Clarion came in the 2007 season-finale at Clarion when the Bald Eagles prevailed 17-14 on a Marc Domonkos field goal in overtime.
First Meeting: 1928 – Lock Haven won 12-0
Last Meeting: 2013 – Clarion won 30-13
New Era:
Dave Taynor was hired as the 24th head football coach in school history in April. Taynor comes to LHU after seven seasons at his alma mater – Urbana. Under his guidance, the Blue Knights enjoyed the five most successful seasons in school history from 2009-2013 and he’s the winningest coach in the school’s history. Known for his offensive mind and high-flying attack, Taynor’s Urbana teams broke over 50 offensive school records from 2008-2014. Taynor is 37-40 all-time.
2015 Bald Eagle Coaching Staff
Dave Taynor (1st season) – Head Coach
John Miech (1st Season) – Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers
Randi Moore (2nd season) – Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
J. Stephen Pribble (1st Season) – Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers
Bill Nickell (1st Season) – Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
Kevin Smith (1st Season) – Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line
Rashad Elby (1st Season) – Running Backs
Sufyan El-Geroushi (1st Season) – Tight Ends and Fullbacks
Kevin McGiveron – Student Assistant
Matthew Sexton – Student Assistant
Patrick McMullin – Student Assistant
Luke Blattenberger – Student Assistant Operations Intern
Walton under center:
Redshirt-junior QB Caleb Walton’s success under center is no longer a secret after he led Lock Haven’s offense for the second straight season. Last season he passed for 2,164 yards and 15 TDs. He became the first Bald Eagle quarterback since 1995 to throw for over 2,000 yards in a season. It’s just the seventh time in school history where a Lock Haven quarterback has surpassed the 2,000-yard passing mark in a single season. Walton now has 3,320 career passing yards, the seventh-most in school history. His 24 passing TDs are No. 5 in school history.
Defense a strength:
Last year marked Randi Moore’s first season as the Bald Eagles’ defensive coordinator and he made an immediate impact as Lock Haven’s defense was key all year long. LHU forced at least one turnover in all, but one game last season. LHU ranked seventh in the PSAC in interceptions (11) and eighth in total pass defense. The Bald Eagles return four of their top-five tacklers from last season, includingDaniel Strawbridge (CB) and Tony Ballon (LB).
Experienced O-Line:
What was a young offensive line in 2014 is now an experienced one as the Bald Eagles will be aided by all five starting offensive linemen returning for this season. Leading the way is senior-center Luke Erdman, who has 30 career starts under his belt – the fifth-most among all active PSAC players. In allLuke Erdman (11), Austin Heinbaugh (10), Shane Rafter (9), Nick Mayer (8) Chris Bonk (7) and Ryan Fink (5) combined for 50 starts a year ago on the offensive line.
Making The East home:
The 2015 season marks Lock Haven’s third in the PSAC East. LHU is 4-10 vs. PSAC East opponents in its first two seasons in Eastern Division play.
Moving forward:
Since Lock Haven won the 2012 season-finale vs. Cheyney – a win that snapped a 52-game losing streak – LHU has gone 5-17. LHU was 2-9 last season and 3-8 in 2013.
Up next:
The Bald Eagles travel to Seton Hill for Week-2 action. Kickoff in Greensburg is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 12.
