Ed Mailliard: Sophomore wide receiver Jaquan Williams set career highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (123) on Saturday. The Lakers play their Gannon rival this Thursday, Oct. 17.
The Mercyhurst football team was off to a rocky start, losing three out of the first four games of the season. But shutting out their last two opponents, it is clear that the Lakers have picked up momentum and are looking to keep it going through the rest of the season.
With a 63-14 win over Cheyney on Oct. 5, the Lakers scored the most points 25 years, making the game unforgettable. During Saturday’s contest against the Wolves, Mercyhurst spread the ball around on offense, scoring four times on the ground and five times through the air.
Touchdowns were made by sophomore wide receiver Jaquan Williams, junior transfer Marcus Snipes, redshirt sophomore T.J. Latimer, junior Pat Barry, freshman Drew Robinson and senior fullback Jeff Groene.
Redshirt senior Anthony Vendemia leads the team, completing 13-of-16 for 221 yards and four touchdowns. Also, he became the third quarterback in program history to throw for 4,000 yards in his career. Redshirt junior Alec Swartz came on in relief and completed all four of his pass attempts for 55 yards and his first collegiate touchdown pass and also ran his first collegiate rushing touchdown.
Vendemia was able to capture the Corvias ECAC Division II Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against Cheyney during the homecoming game.
“Being named ECAC offensive player of the week was an honor. Anytime I get an award it’s a good feeling, but the credit goes to my wide receivers and O-line. Jaquan Williams and Marcus Snipes did a great job making it easy for me,” Vendemia said.
The Lakers then scored 50 points this past Saturday afternoon, Oct. 12, against Seton Hill with a score of 50-19 from Offutt Field to reach another successful victory. It was Mercyhurst’s first conference win of the season as the Lakers improved to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the PSAC Western Division.
Starting in place of an injured Vendemia for the first time in his career, redshirt junior quarterback Alec Swartz completed 12 of 16 passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns.
When asked about how the team is doing so far, Vendemia said, “I feel like we have missed a couple opportunities early in the season, but I still feel like we have played some good football. Every week we are getting better and better. Hopefully, we can continue it and go on a streak. We have the talent to do so.”
After scoring a total of 113 points within the past two victories, it marks the second-highest total in school history. In 1985 Lakers scored 127 points in a two-game span with a 45-7 win at Brockport State and an 82-0 win over Niagara the following week.
“The biggest goal for us at this point is simply to play to our ability from here on out. We want to play each game with passion. If we do that then the wins will come. Right now our goal is on beating Gannon,” Vendemia said
