QB Ilio DiPaolo hands the ball off to Reggie Mencer as Brian Tomasovitch looks to make a block.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University football team (0-1) lost its 2008 season opener tonight (Aug. 28) at home to Glenville State College 30-0.

The game marked the season opener for both teams as the Bald Eagles kicked off play at the revamped Hubert Jack Stadium. The contest marked the very first on LHU’s brand new Artificial Field Turf that was just recently finished.

The Pioneers used a productive second quarter to down their host Bald Eagles as GSC scored 23 points in the second, after opening the game with one touchdown in the first.

The Haven got off to a solid start as sophomore linebacker Wes Plummer (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) picked off Pioneer quarterback James McCants on the just the second play of Glenville’s opening drive.

Plummer’s interception quickly got the home faithful in the game, but LHU went thre-and-out to the start the game on their first offensive possession of the contest.

The Lock Haven defense again responded early in the ball game as they forced Glenville to punt on their second possession after an eight play drive stalled after 27 yards.

Neither team could get the offense going in their first two possessions, but the third time was a charm for GSC as they finally found the end zone after a one yard touchdown run by McCants on the quarterback keeper with 4:55 to go in the opening half.

The second quarter is where Glenville poured it on, scoring 23 points while taking the 30-0 lead into the locker room.

Despite being down, the Bald Eagles came out in the second half inspired and Steve Loomis (Oxford, N.Y./Oxford Academy) quickly put LHU in striking range after a 25-yard kick return to start the third quarter. The redshirt-sophomore’s 25-yard return gave the LHU offense good starting field position at the 50, but Lock Haven fumbled the ball away.

Rain, heavy at times during the second half led both teams to really work the run game, but neither could muster up any more scoring.

Plummer had a solid outing on defense for Lock Haven. Along with his interception he made five tackles.

Shane Barie (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Dustin Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) each recorded a team-high six tackles.

Five other Bald Eagles had four tackles on the night.

Offensively the Bald Eagles struggled at times, but there were some bright spots.

Redshirt sophomore Reggie Mencer (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) looked good, which is a bright spot for the Haven after he missed his rookie season because of injury.

Freshman quarterback Jarrryd Burkett (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) looked very solid at times under center in his debut. Although the numbers may not reflect it, he was solid in the pocket and looks to have a bright future in crimson and white.

The Bald Eagles are back in action next Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. when they travel to face No. 16 West Chester University.