CHEYNEY, Pa. – Junior tailback Derek Marshall (Luthersburg, Pa./DuBois) has not attempted a pass in his three years at Lock Haven University, until today (Aug. 27). Marshall threw his first pass in the most crucial of situations—down six with less than two minutes left – hitting sophomore wideout Adam Lawrence (Hanover, Pa./Shippensburg University) in the end zone for the 17-16 win at Cheyney University.

First-year head coach John Klacik’s first game was defensive-minded in the first half, coming to a close at a scoreless tie. Both teams had managed just 162 total yards by halftime, punting a total of 11 times in the first two quarters.

"The thing that stuck out to our staff was that the team didn't quit," said Klacik.  "It was a back-and-forth game, especially in the fourth quarter, and there were times when things weren't going our way.  But our kids never gave up."

The Bald Eagles had two scoring opportunities dashed in the second quarter, ended by a fumble and a missed field goal try. Junior kicker Dan Hagerman (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) redeemed himself by breaking the 0-0 game just shy of 40 minutes in with a 43-yard blast for the 3-0 lead.

After the Bald Eagle defense held the Wolves to a punt, a second fumble gave Cheyney the ball at the Lock Haven 31. Three plays later, Cheyney’s John Riley tied the score again with a 46-yard kick.

On Cheyney’s next possession, a pair of Billy Mitchell runs of 12 and 28 yards set up the defense for a 45-yard touchdown pass hauled in by Dominique Curry, tiptoeing down the sideline, as the Bald Eagles found themselves down for the first time of the game. Sophomore Eddie Cieslinski (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) swatted the ensuing PAT, keeping the Wolves within a touchdown at 9-3.

Junior Alvin Thomas Jr. (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown) got things started with a 30-yard kickoff return, and junior tailback Chelstan C. Anderson II (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) scampered for a 36-yard touchdown two plays later, the first of his career.

An illegal use of hands penalty on the Bald Eagles’ next possession forced them to re-punt, giving Cheyney’s Tyree Cooper the chance for a 44-yard punt return touchdown putting his team back on top 16-10 with 1:58 left.