Mercyhurst College suffered another non-conference football loss this past weekend when the No. 5 University of Bloomsburg Huskies battled the Lakers at Tullio Field.

Defense was the key in Bloomsburg’s 17-7 victory.

While the Laker offense, led by senior quarterback Joe Laffey, played quality ball, the Husky defense was too solid to break. The Lakers couldn’t even penetrate the midfield line during the first quarter.

The Lakers refused to accept defeat easily, though. Mercyhurst was able to avoid what would have been its first home shut-out since 1996 due to a nine-play, 60-yard drive culminating in a one-yard touchdown strike from Laffey to senior tight end Josh Szeluga at the end of the fourth quarter. They also put out a strong defense to rival that of their opponents.

Although neither team was able to impress the crowd with its offensive skills, and Laffey gave up three interceptions during the game, he finished with a career high 19 completions in 36 attempts for 130 passsing yards.

Szeluga put in a hustle, too, pacing the receivers with a game-high six receptions and 42 yards, placing him ninth all-time for the Lakers in both categories.

Bloomsburg improved to 3-0, while Mercyhurst dropped to 1-2 this season overall.

The Lakers will play their first PSAC West game this Saturday, Sept. 19 in front of the Homecoming crowd at Tullio Field. Their last meeting with Indiana University of Pennsylvania ended in a loss for Mercyhurst, and the team is itching to start their seven straight conference game run with success.