Lock Haven Football falls to IUP in their home opener 20-17

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Ryan States | September 15, 2024

 Photo Taken by Kyleigh Monahan for the Lock Haven Athletics Department

Lock Haven, PA.- For the first time since 2022 Lock Haven hosted a Saturday night game at Hubert Jack Stadium in one of the biggest games Lock Haven Football has played in decades. The Haven, coming off a big 31-9 victory on the road over Glenville State, matched up against an IUP team also coming off a road victory, as they beat Ashland 19-10. 

The contest between the two teams was more of a chess match than a football game, as it was clear both sides knew their opponent well. In the end it was IUP who would escape, beating Lock Haven 20-17. IUP now has an astounding 35 straight wins versus The Haven.

The First quarter flew by, with both teams only getting one drive before the 15 minutes expired. It was wide receiver T’iar Young who opened up the scoring for the Bald Eagles, catching a 24-yard dime from Jackson Ostrowsky and putting Lock Haven up 7-0 early. But it wasn’t long before IUP responded back as wide out Cyiar Clark caught a 5-yard touchdown to even the score. 

While the first quarter went by quickly, the second drug along as it quickly became a defensive slug fest. IUP would start off the second quarter with a big play, forcing a fumble from Bald Eagle running back KJ Howard to set up their offense in great position. And they would capitalize as quarterback Karst Hunter found Maurice Massy, who made an impressive contested catch in the end zone to put IUP up 14-7. Lock Haven would later go on to miss a 22-yard field goal, and would exit the first half trailing by seven. 

In the second half both teams’ offenses dragged along, neither side really able to find an advantage. But midway through the third IUP’s quarterback would be knocked out of the game after a late hit, forcing backup Nico Marchitelli into the game. Marchitelli appeared in one game last year as a punter, but would now be tasked with guiding the Crimson Hawks from under center. And he stepped up big time, showing impressive speed on the ground and making enough plays to keep IUP drives alive throughout the second half.

Meanwhile for Lock Haven Ostrowsky was tasked with taking full command of the offense for the first time, as the Bald Eagles running game could go nowhere against a ferocious IUP defensive line. Ostrowsky finished with 284 yards and 2 touchdowns. 169 of those yards and both scores going to T’iar Young, including a 79-yard catch and run that cut the IUP lead to three with four minutes left in the fourth. Lock Haven would get one final drive, but a failed fourth down conversion sealed their fate.

The story of the game for Lock Haven was once again unnecessary penalties costing them in crucial spots. Numerous times the Bald Eagles forced IUP to a third and long, but again and again penalties kept the IUP drives alive. Lock Haven again had a player ejected for targeting, and another that very well could have been called. Overall Lock Haven committed 10 penalties for 115 yards. 

“ At the end of the day there are coachable moments to that,” Lock Haven head coach Dan Mulrooney said when asked about how the staff can manage the penalty problem. “ It’s play hard, but don’t hit him in the head. At the end of the day it’s about discipline.”

Lock Haven now falls to 1-1 and looks ahead to next week’s match-up against Cal. PA, which coach Mulrooney could not be more excited about. 

“Can’t wait to be back on the field, the team can’t wait, they want redemption. We are a really good team, we have really good players, and we have moxie. It’s stuff that you haven’t seen here before. There is only one team who wins every Saturday and I want that to be Lock Haven. The community deserves it, they haven’t had it in forever, its going to be a fun year and we can’t wait to get back on the field.”

Lock Haven will look to defend their home turf against (1-1) Cal. PA. on Saturday Sept. 21st. Kickoff will be at 1 P.M.

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