WARRIOR FOOTBALL PICKS UP SECOND WIN AT LEBANON VALLEY

ANNVILLE, PA – The Lycoming College football team improved their record to 2-0 in the early part of the season with a 24-6 victory over Lebanon Valley College, Saturday afternoon. The Warriors struggled inside the redzone, failing to score on three trips inside the Dutchmen 20-yard line, but pulled away with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to secure the win. Lebanon Valley falls to 0-2 overall and 0-1 within the MAC with the loss.

Lycoming started the game well going 61 yards on 12 plays to score on their first possession. Jon Neve (Sr./Norristown, PA; Germantown Academy) capped the drive with a five-yard touchdown run. After trading possessions, the Warriors extended their lead to 10 early in the second quarter when Dave Christensen (Sr./Yardley, PA; Pennsbury) connected on a 24-yard field goal.

Things started going badly for Lycoming on their next possession. The team drove 56 yards to the Lebanon Valley nine-yard line, but a missed field goal attempt from 26 yards out kept the score at 10-0. The Warriors had another opportunity to add to their lead just prior to the half with a first-and-goal from the seven-yard line, but a penalty and a sack moved the team backwards. Lycoming would eventually give the ball up on downs without finding the endzone.

The momentum continued to shift in favor of the home team to start the second half. The Warriors received the kickoff and were again marching toward the endzone when a fumble gave the Dutchmen possession. Lebanon Valley capitalized, marching 86 yards on nine plays for the first score against Lycoming’s defense this season. A missed extra point made the score 10-6.

The game remained close through the rest of the third quarter, but the Warriors began pulling away on the first play of the fourth. On a second-and-20 from their own 46, Phil Mann (So./Mill Hall, PA; Central Mountain) threw a perfect pass to Ricky Lannetti (Jr./Philadelphia, PA; Father Judge) who had split the secondary, for a 54-yard touchdown pass and an 11-point lead after the PAT.

Lycoming’s defense then helped seal the victory when Dustin Mace (Sr./Lykens, PA; Upper Dauphin) sacked the Dutchmen’s quarterback causing a fumble that Zach Latsha (Sr./Sunbury, PA; Line Mountain) recovered on Lebanon Valley’s 45-yard line. The offense took advantage rushing the ball four times to score the team’s third touchdown. Jared Morris (Sr./Canton, PA; Canton) carried the ball three times on the drive for 41 yards and the score. Christensen’s extra point put the final at 24-6.

Mann completed 14-of-21 passes for 238 yards and one touchdown. Lannetti was his favorite target catching seven passes for 173 yards and the score. Morris and Neve each rushed for more than 100 yards for the second consecutive game. Morris had 127 yards on 18 carries. Neve gained 103 yards on 23 carries.

The defense was led by Luke Sterling (Fr./Lehighton, PA; Lehighton) with nine tackles including a sack. Brian Kaspick (So./Clearfield, PA; Clearfield) added seven stops and Chris Roantree (Sr./Philadelphia, PA; Father Judge) recorded six tackles, including one sack.

As a team, the Warriors tallied 477 yards of total offense – 239 on the ground and 238 through the air. Their defense held the Dutchmen to just 188 yards of offense – 39 rushing and 149 passing.

Lycoming opens their home schedule on Saturday, September 21, against rival Susquehanna University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.