(LHU ATHLETICS) Lock Haven University quarterback Kyle Knight barrels into the end zone for a score versus West Chester on Saturday.

By SAM KUPERMAN

For The Express

Lock Haven University football wrapped up its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East slate Saturday with a 56-14 loss to West Chester. The Bald Eagles fall to 1-9 overall, and finish PSAC East play with an 0-7 mark.

While Lock Haven put together some exciting moments at times during this contest, there was too much of the game where West Chester simply had its way.

“We’ve got to continue to improve first and foremost,” Lock Haven coach Dave Taynor said. “Defensively, we played some guys who hadn’t really played too many snaps throughout the year. We were missing two or three guys that are regulars for us. We need those guys to continue to step up so that you have some depth.”

If not for a dropped ball in the end zone on the last play of the first half, West Chester would’ve had a touchdown on all six possessions in the first 30 minutes. The Golden Rams gained 350 yards of offense in the first half, calmly pulling off consistent first down runs and finding soft spots in the Lock Haven zone in the passing game. West Chester led 35-0 at the halfway point, cementing this game quite early.

The defensive struggles for Lock Haven have been abundant this season. With a lot of inexperience on that end, opposing offenses have continuously carved up the Bald Eagles. After this performance, LHU’s defense is up to 52.1 points per game in scoring defense. That is the third worst figure in Division II football.

The first half for Lock Haven offensively featured some good moments, but also included three turnovers and a missed 30-yard field goal. The team was once again without leading rusher Chantz Swartz, allowing for sophomore running back Dante Graham to get his second consecutive start. Graham was consistent, rushing for 104 yards against one of the top run defenses in the PSAC. He compiled 63 of those yards in the first half.

“Offensively we struggled a little bit in the early going,” Taynor said. “We got down and I think we pressed a little bit too much and didn’t stay within the plan. (We) tried to hope for the big play instead of earning the big play through consistent operation.”

The second half provided a few memorable moments from LHU. The first was a 68 yard touchdown run from Lock Haven quarterback Kyle Knight. The redshirt-sophomore got outside on the first drive of the second half from LHU, and displayed a remarkable mix of speed and power as he bounced off Golden Ram defenders up the right sideline.

The run is the longest of Knight’s career, and resulted in the fifth rushing touchdown for him in 2019. He finished the day with 166 yards on the ground, which while incredibly impressive is not a career high for him. In 2017 as a true freshman, Knight had two games with more yards on the ground than this one.

Knight suffered a torn ACL Week 1 of 2018 that ended his season. While he’s played well at points in 2019, it’s been a gradual process in terms of fully returning to form with his mobility. Taynor believes that lethal trait of Knight’s is close to being back to the level it was in 2017.

“(He) showed some of the things that I had not seen out of him since his ACL injury last year,” Taylor said. “I know it’s late in the season, but the big touchdown run he had is something he did pretty routinely as a freshman back in ’17. I think he’s excited about that. That what separates him as a football player, his ability to run the ball and is very difficult to tackle.”

The second major play of this game from LHU was an early-fourth quarter touchdown pass from tight end Jalen Jackson to Knight. Yes, a tight end pass was called, and it was magnificent.

The play went for 13 yards on a 4th and eight. Lined up in the backfield as a fullback on the play, the reigning All-American took a handoff from Knight. He then tossed it to the left side where Knight got out in space and found the end zone for the second time on the day. That is Knight’s first career receiving touchdown and his second reception of 2019.

Taynor broke the play out for the first time since 2016, when it also worked for the Bald Eagles. Back then, current Lock Haven running backs coach Cam Tobias was on the receiving end of the play.

“Cam Tobias, when we threw it and it went for a touchdown, said ‘two for two,'” Taynor said. “In 2016 we ran kind of the same thing. We ran speed motion and had two quarterbacks on the field, and (former Lock Haven quarterback) Caleb Walton threw it back to Cam for a touchdown. It’s one of those that you bring out every once in awhile.”

Lock Haven racked up 363 yards of offense on the day, but allowed 517. The Bald Eagles sured up their turnover issues in the second half, but the damage was done from the early miscues.

In addition to his rushing yardage, Knight added 79 yards through the air. He hit sophomore Alex Lantz the most, finding him three times for 50 yards. LHU freshmen Taun Evans, Levi Gaiotti, and Xavier Cargile each had tackles for loss in the game. Gaiotti finished with the team’s lone sack, and also forced a fumble. Redshirt-sophomore defensive back Erik Mann also recovered a fumble for the Bald Eagles.

The season finale for LHU is Saturday at home against Gannon. The small senior class for this young team will be honored, and the team will try to put out a season-ending performance similar to last year. Lock Haven beat Gannon 50-48 in the midst of a snowstorm in Erie to cap 2018.

To pull off a similar feat this time around, the Bald Eagles cannot afford to keep making the same amount of crucial mistakes.