Lock Haven’s Daugherty, Footman Jr. earn Athlete of Week awards in football
TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Lock Haven's Rocco Daugherty (10) provides backup as teammate Troy Miller (5) makes a tackle during a college football game against Clarion on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Hubert Jack Stadium.
TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Lock Haven's Rob Footman Jr. (3) passes the ball during a college football game against Clarion on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Hubert Jack Stadium.
TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Lock Haven's Rocco Daugherty (10) provides backup as teammate Troy Miller (5) makes a tackle during a college football game against Clarion on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Hubert Jack Stadium.
TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Lock Haven's Rob Footman Jr. (3) passes the ball during a college football game against Clarion on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Hubert Jack Stadium.
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Rocco Daugherty (Defense) and Rob Footman Jr. (Offense) swept this week's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Athlete of the Week awards, the conference office announced on Monday.
Daugherty and Footman Jr. delivered game changing performance on Saturday to help Lock Haven stun No. 10 Indiana (Pa.), 35-20, on the road in one of the biggest victories in program history.
The victory marked Lock Haven’s first win over a nationally ranked opponent and first victory over IUP since 1981, snapping a 37-game losing streak against the Crimson Hawks.
Lock Haven improved to 4-2 overall and remained unbeaten in the PSAC West at 3-0, staying tied with nationally ranked Slippery Rock atop the Western Division standings.
Footman Jr. delivered a historic performance on Saturday afternoon, completing 20-of-27 passes (74.1 percent) for 231 yards and four touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown to account for all five of Lock Haven’s scores against the previously unbeaten Crimson Hawks.
The Bald Eagles’ quarterback set the tone early, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run to give Lock Haven a 7-0 advantage. He followed with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cureem Hathcock and a 38-yard scoring strike to Jake Roberts in the second quarter, helping Lock Haven build a 21-13 halftime lead.
With the Bald Eagles looking to put the game away in the fourth quarter, Footman Jr. delivered two more touchdown passes, connecting with Mekhi Watson for a 33-yard score and Jaiden Huntington for a 4-yard touchdown to seal the historic victory.
Daugherty delivered a game-changing defensive performance on Saturday afternoon, totaling six solo tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Daugherty made his presence felt immediately, recovering an IUP fumble on the Crimson Hawks’ opening offensive play just six seconds into the contest. The turnover gave Lock Haven possession at the IUP 26-yard line and set up the Bald Eagles’ opening touchdown.
With Lock Haven holding a 28-20 advantage late in the fourth quarter, Daugherty delivered another monumental defensive play, intercepting IUP quarterback with 2:18 remaining and returning the ball six yards to the Crimson Hawks’ 4-yard line. The takeaway led to a Lock Haven touchdown just four seconds later, extending the lead to 35-20 and helping secure the historic upset.