LHU Football Downed by #18 Kutztown, 35-12
Photo Courtesy Lock Haven University Athletics / Tim Barnhart
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University football team (1-6, 0-4 PSAC East) fell to visiting and 18th ranked Kutztown University (7-0, 4-0 PSAC East), 35-12, Saturday afternoon at home in Hubert Jack Stadium in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action.
The Golden Bears led 21-6 at halftime and the early lead pushed the visitors to a win that kept them perfect on the season at 7-0.
The Bald Eagles looked much improved in a number of areas despite the loss and got touchdowns from offensive standouts Jalen Jackson (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) and Chantz Swartz (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata).
Jackson, the Bald Eagles’ All-American tight end finished with six catches for 44 yards and a score. Swartz (RB), who entered the game as the top rusher in the Eastern Division, finished with 61 yards on 18 carries. His 1-yard TD-run early in the fourth quarter capped an impressive 13-play, 80 yard drive (4:56).
LHU Quarterback Kyle Knight (Myerstown, Pa./Eastern Lebanon) threw for 113 yards (11 of 22, 1 INT). He added 36 yards on the ground.
The Lock Haven defensive unit got some solid individual contributions. Alex Welch (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) recorded a sack and Levi Engle (Williamstown, Pa./Williams Valley) had an interception, his third of the season and second in as many games.
Shane Scott (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape) and Kahari Whitfield (Reading, Pa./Reading) each finished with nine tackles. Scott had two tackles-for-loss and Chris Bournes (Union, N.J./Union) added seven total tackles.
For the Bald Eagles, Kutztown marked the second nationally-ranked team on the schedule this season. LHU played at then-ranked No. 24 IUP in Week 3 and Lock Haven will face nationally-ranked West Chester on November 9. IUP was ranked No. 22 this week and West Chester is ranked 12th.
Next week (Saturday, October 26), the Bald Eagles will make the short trip east on Interstate-80 to take on local-rival Bloomsburg University. The Week 8 PSAC East clash is set for a 2 p.m. start. Lock Haven has won two of the last three meetings vs. Bloomsburg after the Bald Eagles secured back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017.
