LOCK HAVEN TAKES 48-13 HIT AGAINST #20 EDINBORO

(Lock Haven, Pa.) – No. 20-ranked Edinboro University (9-2, 5-1 PSAC West) scored 28 unanswered points in the first half before collecting the 48-13 decision over the Lock Haven University (3-8, 1-5 PSAC West) Bald Eagles at Hubert Jack Stadium this afternoon.  Seven different Fighting Scots scored as the Edinboro out-gained Lock Haven, 458-239, and held the Bald Eagles to just 60 yards rushing.
                The Fighting Scots gained control of the lead just 48 seconds into the game on the second play after the opening kickoff. After a stop for no gain on the initial carry, Dru Robinson broke down the right sideline and shed several defenders before hitting the open field and the endzone for the 70-yard score.  
                Both teams punted away their next possessions, then Edinboro would extend its lead by scoring on three successive drives – two more in the first quarter and one in the second.  The Scots drove 72 yards for their second touchdown, Matt Phillips pounding the ball through the middle for the seven-yard score at 1:59 remaining in the first quarter.

Adam Angelici posted 31 yards 
on two catches, including 
one for touchdown. 

                PSAC interceptions leader Raji El-Amin picked up his eighth of the season to put an abrupt halt to Lock Haven’s following drive, spoiling Troy Wile’s (Fayetteville/Chambersburg) pass attempt on the very first play from scrimmage and returning it 26 yards to the Haven 19-yard line before he was knocked out of bounds.  Three plays later, Edinboro’s offensive line paved the path for Brandon Munson’s seven yard scamper and the 21-0 Edinboro lead at 0:53 in the first period.
                In the second quarter, Edinboro quarterback Justin Bouch hit Justin Lipscomb for a 64-yard strike midway through their next possession to move the ball to within three yards of scoring.  Lock Haven was able to hold off a run by Phillips, but a pass overtop of the defense fell into the hands of C.J. Trivisonno from three-yards out at 11:17 to boost the lead to 28-0, Edinboro.
                The Fighting Scot lead would remain at 28-0 at the half, as kicker Kody Robertson came up empty-handed on a 31-yard field goal attempt as time ran out.
                Lock Haven would end Edinboro’s streak of 20 quarters without a touchdown allowed on its initial possession out of the intermission, putting together 13 plays for 87 yards and the score by Adam Angelici (Bethel Park/Bethel Park).  Scott Anderson ( Cortland , Ohio /Lakeview) and Rafael Smith (Pittsburgh/Woodland Hills) both caught passes from Wile for first downs to move the sticks into Edinboro territory.  On a third-and-10 situation from the Edinboro 30-yardline, El-Amin picked off another ball, but a penalty on the Scots negated the play and Lock Haven maintained possession at the 20-yard line.  Three plays later, Wile located Angelici breaking down the right sideline and led him into the corner of the endzone for the 18-yard touchdown at 8:27 . The extra point by Dan Hagerman (Scottdale/Southmoreland) was good, bringing the score to 28-7.
                Edinboro would bounce right back to score on its next try, however, making the lead 35-7 after Bouch found Ryan Valasek for a long-distance, 42-yard connection and score down the left side of the field.   
                Lock Haven pushed the ball into Edinboro territory on the following possession, but Matt Birkett intercepted another of Wile’s passes at the one-yard line to bring the offense back onto the field.
                Into the fourth quarter, the Bald Eagles would assemble one more scoring drive in the game, putting together 15 plays for 52 yards following an interception by Mike Nesby (Rankin/Woodland Hills) at the Lock Haven 48-yard line.  Several short gains on the ground along with a 14-yard catch by Anderson and a 13-yard reception by Angelici moved the ball up to the six-yard line.  Quarterback Tim Storino (Pittsburgh/Bethel Park) dropped back and sent a spiral into the back corner of the endzone for Scott Anderson, who came down with the ball for the score at 7:41 in the fourth quarter. The Hagerman kick attempt fell short, moving the score to 35-13.
                Edinboro ended the game as it began it – with a flurry of scoring.  The Scots would tack on six points with a 16-yard rush by J.D. Baker at 4:02 .  As Lock Haven was steadying to move on the next drive, J.R. Prad sacked Storino and caused the ball to pop loose. Edinboro’s Ben Stroup finally came up with the ball, running it into paydirt from seven-yards out for the score at 3:39 . The good kick by Matt Barley brought the score and final outcome of the game to 48-13, Edinboro.
                Edinboro running back Dru Robinson totaled 125 yards on 14 takes and one touchdown, while quarterback Justin Bouch had 163 yards on 11-of-14 passing with two touchdowns thrown. Defensively, linebacker Seth Fragale led the Scots with 10 tackles including three for loss.  Jermaine Hughley added nine tackles and 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
                Lock Haven receivers Scott Anderson and Rafael Smith led the offensive efforts, Anderson hauling in seven catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Smith had 41 yards on four catches.  Troy Wile was 15-for-28 with 146 yards and one touchdown pass. Linebacker Derrik Metz (Roaring Spring/Central) led all defenders with 13 stops, including seven solo hits.  Fellow linebacker Dan Wissinger (Johnstown/Ferndale) had five tackles to rate second among Haven defenders.
                The Bald Eagles close their 2003 season at 3-8 overall and 1-5 in the PSAC West. Edinboro improves to 9-2 and 5-1 in the Western Division, and awaits word on a possible NCAA Division II playoff selection. 

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