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Complete
Box Score
LOCK HAVEN, PA – After a slow start, the
Edinboro University football team came on strong with 27
second-half points to dispose of Lock Haven, 41-3. The victory
leaves Edinboro with an 8-2 overall record and awaiting word on a
possible third straight NCAA Division II Playoff berth. That
announcement will come on Sunday afternoon.
With a 5-1 record in the PSAC West, the
Fighting Scots join a select group of teams in the PSAC to win
three straight divisional crowns. The last team to win three
consecutive PSAC West titles was Slippery Rock from 1997-99.
Edinboro finished in a first place tie with California(Pa.).
The Fighting Scots opened the scoring late in
the first quarter as Kelvin Collins (Glen Burnie, MD/Old Mill)
capped an 11-play, 67-yard drive with a one-yard run at the 2:35
mark. One player earlier Justin Bouch (Brackenridge,
PA/Highlands) hooked up with Ryan Valasek (Natrona
Heights, PA/Highlands) on an 18-yard completion inside the one
yard line on a 3rd-and-8 play.
Edinboro squandered another scoring opportunity
following a bad punt snap on Lock haven’s ensuing series.
Kody Robertson’s (Columbus, OH/Hilliard Davidson)
31-yard field goal attempt was wide left.
But the Scots were back in business two plays
later, as Chris Avery (Berea, OH/Berea) returned an
interception 17 yards to the LHU 3. It was Avery’s 20th
career interception, breaking the record of 19 held by Steve
Russell (1991-94). Collins plowed in from two yards out two plays
later, with Robertson’s extra point making it 14-0 with 12:56
left in the second quarter.
Edinboro would have two more chances to score
in the first half, but one drive ended when backup quarterback
Josh Hinkle (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic)
threw an interception inside the LHU 15. The half ended with
Robertson wide left on another 31-yard field goal attempt.
The offense came alive in the second half,
scoring on five of its six possessions, and the other drive came
to a halt when Bouch three an interception at the LHU 20. After
forcing a Lock Haven punt to start the second half, Edinboro
struck quickly as Bouch hooked up with Valasek on a 56-yard
scoring play, completing a three-play, 68-yard drive. The two
former high school teammates enjoyed their finest day at Edinboro,
as Valasek set career highs with 7 catches for 150 yards.
Bouch threw his second touchdown pass of the
afternoon on the next series, directing an impressive 8-play,
94-yard drive. Ulysee Davis (Bryan’s Road, MD/Bishop
McNamara) broke off a pair of 19-yard runs, and Bouch and
Valasek combined on a 43-yard pass down to the LHU 2. After a
Davis run lost two yards, Bouch hooked up with C.J. Trivisonno
(Kirtland, OH/Kirtland) for a 4-yard TD pass. Robertson’s
extra point made it 28-0 with 6:42 left in the third quarter.
Bouch completed an impressive afternoon with
his third touchdown of the day on the first play of the fourth
quarter. Once again, Edinboro needed just three plays to go 56
yards. The quick drive was capped by a 48-yard pass from Bouch to
Nate Eimer (Oswego, IL/West Aurora). The senior tight
end hauled in a short pass, then received
several downfield blocks from fellow receivers to complete the
play. That made it 35-0 with 14:51 left in the game.
Lock Haven spoiled Edinboro’s hopes for a
fourth shutout in 2005, as the Bald Eagles put together a 10-play,
47-yard drive that resulted in Brendon Pickel’s 33-yard field
goal. The Fighting Scot reserves answered with a pair of short
drives resulting in Robertson field goals of 24 and 42 yards to
complete the 41-3 victory.
Bouch ended the afternoon completing 16 of 21
passes for a season-high 243 yards. He became just the second
Edinboro quarterback to throw for 7,000 career yards, now standing
at 7,013. He directed an Edinboro offense which totaled a
season-high 486 yards, with 198 on the ground and 288 through the
air. Collins went over the century mark for the second time in
three games with 118 yards on 21 carries. Davis added 62 yards on
16 rushes.
The defense turned in another outstanding
effort, limiting Lock Haven to 108 total yards and 37 yards
rushing. In addition, the Bald Eagles completed just 11of 27
passes for 71 yards. The Fighting Scots entered the game ranked
first in Division II in scoring defense and second in rushing
defense and total defense. |
