The Mercyhurst Lakers (1-3) come to Brookings for the first time as they continue to make the transition from D2 to the FCS. They have played an impressive schedule to this point with losses to YSU, Sac State, and Montana State. They are certainly not afraid. Mercyhurst hasn’t necessarily been in a position to win any of their games but they certainly haven’t been blown out either and if a few things go differently, maybe the do clip one of the big three that they have competed well against this season.
Offense
The Mercyhurst offense is predicated on controlling the ball, running down the clock, and seems to be really well balanced between the run and pass. Again, they want to control the clock and are converting on 43.1% of their 3rd down opportunities. They also go for it on 4th down regularly (17 attempts) and have converted on nearly 53% of their attempts. They are scoring 22.75 points per game on the season. They rush for 119.5 yards per game and pass for 293.75 yards per game. Those are impressive totals. They aren’t huge on explosive plays but really are methodical and relentless in their effort on offense. As the field shrinks, they are struggling to score in the redzone going 12 of 18 with 10 coming as TDs. It will be important for SDSU to limit their production on 1st down and get them behind the sticks early.
The offense is led by #16 Adam Urena (5-9, 175), a graduate student who is also in his 3rd year of starting for the Lakers. He has put up some impressive totals through 4 games having passed for 1,146 yards and 6 TDs to 5 INTs. He doesn’t appear to be much of a scrambler as he has just 32 gross yards on the ground. The replays that I have watched show a quarterback who is in complete command of the Laker offense and is good at distributing to his playmakers.
The running back room has plenty of talent and is led by #2 Brian Trobel (5-9, 190). He has 40 attempts for 265 yards (6.6 yard average) and 4 TD. He also has added 4 receptions for 36 yards. Against Montana State, I was impressed with his toughness and physicality for maybe being a smaller guy. The starting running back is listed as #3 Aryon Rodriguez (5-10, 190) and he has maybe struggled to get going as much. He has 30 attempts for 72 yards (2.4 ypc avg) and 1 TD. However, he has still contributed with 7 receptions for 52 yards. The 3rd running back to see significant action is #22 Jameir Gamble (5-10, 190). He’s a true freshman but has 18 attempts for 117 yards (6.5 ypc avg). He also has 6 receptions for 36 yards. This is a good stable of backs for the Lakers!
The pass catchers look solid as well with four guys who have more than 10 receptions. New Hampshire transfer #23 Dylan Evans (6-3, 195) leads the way with 24 receptions for 329 yards and 2 TDs. He has also scored a rushing TD which I’m assuming was some sort of end around or jet motion handoff. He is just a sophomore but shows good physicality, route running, and reliable hands. #8 Rylan Davison (5-10, 200) has over 100 career receptions for Lakers and is in the midst of maybe his best season. He has 20 receptions for 254 yards and 2 TDs. #7 Joe Kerbacher (6-2, 190) has 12 receptions for 134 yards. In his career he has 99 receptions for over 1100 yards and 9 TDs. His best year came in 2023 when he averaged 14 yards per reception. The fourth member of this impressive group is #6 Evan Van Dyke (6-2, 190). He’s seeing his first taste of real action in 2025 and has 11 receptions for 74 yards and 1 TD. #83 Ashton Wilson (6-4, 240) is the starting tight end and he has 6 receptions for 58 yards and 1 TD.
Mercyhurst has a really good sized offensive line and excellent experience. This group has only allowed 7 sacks on the season. From left to right they go:
#78 Eugene Avei (6-6, 390, Jr.)- Started every game at San Bernardino Valley CC in 2024
#58 Joey Balgo (5-10, 310, Sr.)- Started every game in 2024. Preseason All-NEC second Team.
#55 Cadavius Gary (6-4, 310, Gr.)- Played for North Greenville (D2) in 2024
#73 Blake Hoegler (6-4, 325, Jr.)- Played in 6 games in 2024
#52 Samuel Petros (6-2, 295, Sr.)- Unable to find ANY information on this guy.
Defense
The Lakers play a tough 3-4 defense that has really good size across the board. They are also an older group with 10 players listed on the two deep as either being seniors or graduate students. They are allowing 26.00 points per game but opponents have rushed for over 204 yards per game but only passed for 148.5. Opponents are converting nearly 48% of their 3rd down opportunities and 67% of their 4th down opportunities (6 for 9). This group has only generated 1 sack, 1 recovered fumble, and just 2 INTs.
Mercyhurst has good size upfront for the 3-4 defense with #99 James Royal (6-3, 270, GR) and team captain #6 Jonas King (6-5, 290, GR) listed as the starters. They have combined for just 7 stops but in a 3-4 you really want your “ends” eating blocks in most schemes. On the interior is nose tackle #17 Colin Scharriter (6-0, 280, JR) who has two tackles on the season and was previously at Duquesne. Reserves listed on the two deep are #5 Donovan Everette (6-3, 275, GR) an Elon transfer, #55 Ramon McAndrews (6-4, 305, Jr.) and #19 Cedric Carter (6-3, 270, GR), and #98 Shanard Lo-Ray (6-2, 280, RJr). Carter appears to have some juice as he has 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT, and 1 QBH.
The edge rushers in the 3-4 are Southern Utah transfer #1 Timmy Fleischood (6-2, 215) and #9 Kyler Laing (6-2, 245) a Buffalo transfer. Fleischood has 9 total tackles (7 solo), 1 forced fumble, and 1.5 TFL. Laing has 7 tackles and 3 QBH. #32 Jaiden Allos (6-2, 205, FR) is a key reserve and he has 11 total tackles and 2 PBU. The inside linebackers are #3 Travell Wright (5-11, 235) and #14 Jeff Leavell (6-1, 220). Leavell leads the team with 27 total tackles and has 1.5 TFL. Wright has 17 tackles and a PBU to his credit. #50 Corey Cobb Jr. (5-11, 225) is listed as a reserve but has 14 total tackles and has the lone Lakers sack. Slippery Rock transfer #4 Jake Miller (6-1, 225) has also pitched in with 11 tackles, a TFL, a PBU, and a forced fumble.
The secondary has put in some work as opponents are passing for under 150 yards per game. #11 Adonis Marshall (6-0, 170) is one of the lone sophomores on two-deep but he has had a big season with 12 tackles and a PBU. Opposite him is Notre Dame (D2) #12 Jaiden Hill (6-0, 175) who has 7 tackles and a TFL and 3 PBU. #10 Chris Thompson (5-10, 190) has the lone interception for this group. He’s also pitched in 2 PBUs and a3 tackles. #2 Anthony Mackey (6-0, 200) is the second leading tackler from his safety spot and has 26 total tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 PBU. Next to him is #7 JC Cloutier (5-10, 180) who has 22 tackles and 1 PBU as a transfer from Old Dominion. #22 Braylon Beckwith (6-0, 170) has 11 tackles and 1 PBU as a reserve.
Special Teams
To show how interesting this offense is for Mercyhurst, their punter, #90 Garrett McGuire, has only punted 6 times on the season! On those attempts he has an average of 41.5 yards with 3 touchbacks. On the 3 that have been returned one went for 10 yards and the other two for no yardage. #91 Max Young is 2 for 4 on his field goals with a long of 34 but both of his misses coming from under 30 yards. #42 Mark Harrington handles the kickoff duties and on 17 attempts has a 59.8 yard average and just 2 touchbacks. On 15 attempts, opponents are averaging just over 23 yards per return with a long of 48 yards.
For Mercyhurst in the return game #7 Joe Kerbacher has 3 punt returns for a 6.67 average and a long of 10. On kick returns, the Lakers have tried a variety of guys and have 13 returns for a 17.5 yard average. Reserve wide receiver #80 Jason Woods appears to be the most skilled with 4 returns taht averaged 21 yards with a long of 35.
Predictions
On the podcast I predicted a Jackrabbit win of 42-7. However, that was before I truly dove into the stats and saw how Mercyhurst was keeping these games so close. I see this game sort of being like the Drake game where the opponent is able to move the ball well at times and hit chunk plays as needed. As Jackrabbit fans this is frustrating to watch but I do believe Mercyhurst is talented and they are certainly experienced. Their propensity to go for it on 4th down is also frustrating to watch too. I still like the Jackrabbits to win but I think it will be one where the score looks closer than the actual play on the field.
Jackrabbits 30- Lakers 7
Go Jacks!
Matt
