Box Score

FJ Williams set a new Seton Hill single game receiving yards record but the Griffins could not overcome 8 turnovers as they were defeated by Mercyhurst 49-32 on a cold and blustery Saturday afternoon at Offutt Field.  With the loss, the Griffins fall to 2-7 overall and 2-6 in PSAC play.  Mercyhurst improves to 5-4 overall and 5-3 in PSAC play.

Seton Hill won the toss and defered their choice to the second half giving Mercyhurst the ball to start the contest.  The Griffin defense forced two straight three and outs with SHU taking over at their own 5 yard line after the second punt.  Seton Hill then drove 95 yards in 9 plays for the first touchown of the game.  Christian Strong hit FJ Williams with a 21 yard reception to get the ball near midfield and Strong then hit Jarvis McClam for a 41 yard touchdown pass to give SHU a 6-0 lead with 7:36 to play in the first.  The defense forced another three and out on the Lakers next possession and SHU drove the ball to the Lakers 17 yard line before Strong was picked off for the first time of the day, at the Lakers 4 yard line, ending a Griffin drive.  On the Lakers next possession, Tanelious Walton picked off a pass and returned it to the Griffins 7 yard line.  Strong was picked off again and the Lakers took over at the Griffins 17 yard line.  Three plays later, Mercyhurst took advantage of the interception and scored on a 11 yard TD reception to put Mercyhurst ahead 7-6 late in the first quarter.

After the Griffins were forced to punt on their first possession of the second half, Nicholas Boynton ended the Lakers drive with an interception and return to the Griffins 43 yard line.  SHU went three and out and Mercyhurst drove 75 yards in 4 plays to take a 14-6 lead with 6:46 to play in the half.  SHU responded with a 7 play, 75 yard dive that culminated with a Brandon Stout 4 yard TD run.  The big play on the drive was a 62 yard pass from Dan Pietrangelo to Williams.  Walton then forced a fumble on the Lakers next possession with Speiser Alani recovering the fumble at the SHU 28.  The next play was a key play as the Lakers picked off Pietrangelo and returned it 41 yards to the house to take a 21-13 lead with 2:42 left in the half.  The turnover bug continued to hit the Griffins as Stout fumbled on the next possession.  Four plays later Mercyhurst scored on a 28 yard run to take a 28-13 lead with 1:01 to play.  Pietrangelo was picked off to end the Griffins last possession of the half and the Lakers led 28-13 at the half. 

Drew Jackson took over as quarterback to start the second half and provided an instant spark as he hit Williams for a 66 yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second half.  After forcing another three and out, the Griffins drove to the Lakers 27 yard line but were forced to turn over the ball on downs.  Josh Falatovich forced and recovered a fumble on the Lakers next possession, giving the Griffins the ball at their own 49 yard line.  SHU drove to the 20 yard line but again were forced to turn the ball over on downs.  Otis Williams ended the next Lakers possession with a pick at the SHU 19 yard line.  SHU gave the ball right back as Jackson was picked off at the Lakers 38 yard line.  Mercyhurst took advantage of the turnover and scored on a 9 yard TD reception to take a 35-20 lead with 1:28 left in the third quarter. 

On their first possession of the fourth quarter, Seton Hill drove 75 yards in 7 plays with Jackson hitting McClam with a 13 yard TD pass to trim the lead to 35-26 early in the fourth quarter.  That momentum was short lived as the Lakers took the kickoff 87 yards untouched to the house to increase the lead back to 42-26 with 11:55 to play in the game.  SHU drove into Mercyhurst territory but Jackson was again picked off, setting up another Mercyhurst touchdown.  Jackson was picked off again on their next possession but the Lakers fumbled on the return giving SHU the ball at the Lakers 41 yard line.  Strong returned to the contest at quarterback and then hit Larry Joshua for a 23 yard touchdown with just over a minute remaining to end the scoring. 

Seton Hill outgained the Lakers 651-494 and had more first downs (30-18) as well.  FJ Williams set a new SHU single game record with 261 receiving yards on 11 receptions.  Eric Brown had 13 receptions for 118 yards.  Jarvis McClam finished with 8 catches for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Josh Falatovich led the defense with 10 tackles.

Seton Hill will travel to Edinboro for their last road trip of the season next week.  Kickoff is set for 12 PM.