The Griffins continued PSAC West play on Saturday afternoon with a road matchup at Mercyhurst. SHU trailed 14-0 early in the contest but scored the next 19 points in a 19-17 road win over the Lakers. SHU is now 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the PSAC West. Mercyhurst falls to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the west.
Logan Wiland and the Griffin defense led the team to the win. Wiland rushed for over 175 yards and three touchdowns while the defense held the Lakers to under 200 yards of total offense.
After the Griffins opened the game with a three and out, Mercyhurst only needed three plays to take an early 7-0 lead on a 28 yard touchdown pass. On their next possession, the Lakers used a 68 touchdown pass to extend their lead to 14-0 with 7:10 to play in the first quarter. SHU trailed 14-0 after one quarter of play but were driving as the quarter ended.
On the second play of the second quarter, Wiland scored his first touchdown of the game, this one from seven yards out to trim the Laker lead to 14-6. The defense forced a three and out on the next Laker possession and SHU marched 64 yards on nine plays to trim the lead to two points. Wiland scored from three yards out to cut the Laker lead to 14-12 with 8:31 to play in the quarter.
Jaylen McDuffie and
Justice Griffin got a sack on a fourth down to turn the ball back over to the offense. With 20 seconds to play in the half, Wiland scored his third touchdown of the game to put the Griffins in front. Wiland scored from 10 yards out and SHU led 19-14 at the half.
Jayden Emberton-Gaines opened the third quarter with a interception and return to the Laker 49 yard line. Neither team was able to muster any offense the rest of the quarter and SHU led 19-14 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Lakers opened the fourth quarter with a 24 yard field goal as they cut the Griffin lead to 19-17 early in the fourth quarter. On their next possession, the Griffins drove all the way to the Lakers four yard line but were stopped on a fourth and one with 7:54 to play in the contest. Both teams punted on their next possessions and the Griffin defense forced a turnover on downs near midfield at the end of the quarter. SHU was then able to run out the clock to close out the win.
Wiland rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the contest.
Taiyon Battle caught five passes for 66 yards. McDuffie led the Griffins with 10 tackles and two sacks.
Narrio Walks recorded nine tackles and a sack. Emberton-Gaines had eight tackles and an interception.
The Griffin defense held the Lakers to just 196 total yards, 51 yards rushing and 10 first downs.
SHU will next host Gannon next Saturday for homecoming. Kick is set for 4 PM.
