From the Booth: Week Two Edition

Millersville took to the road in week two against a PSAC Western Division favorite in Mercyhurst, and they saw just how difficult the conference truly is on Saturday. They lost 49-7.

The first lesson that comes to mind in this game is that turnovers kill. Three interceptions and four fumbles were absolutely costly. The lost fumble and a pick six later in the contest both turned into scores for the Lakers, who rolled to a 21-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game.

The Lakers' defense saw a multitude of different looks offensively, including some audibles along the way. RB Ian Sadon and WR Brent Collins broke to another level in Saturday's tilt.

Collins had a career high 11 catches for 123 yards. Most of those yards, believe it or not, were on screens. The junior wideout regularly picked up first downs on these plays.

In Sadon's case, he will be a headache for opposing defenses all throughout this season. Sadon rushed for 108 yards, caught a critical 21 yard pass on third down for a first down, and scored the only Marauder TD of the day by vaulting over the pile on a goal line stand.

Both Connor Casey (13/18...3 INT) and Curtis Frye (6/9) saw time at the quarterback position on Saturday. Casey was victimized by FS Colin Kimball, who picked off two passes—one of them for a score. Frye showed some promise in the passing game by unleashing a 38-yard dart to Brent Collins, and passing for 95 yards total.

Defensively speaking, it was the run that did the Marauders in again. Redshirt Senior QB Anthony Vendemia only slung the ball 13 times, completing 12 of those passes.

Otherwise it was reigning PSAC West Freshman of the Year Brandon Brown-Dukes who set the tone early and often with a 66-yard scamper for a score on the first play, and three scores overall in the game. Allen Jones II also had a solid day with 38 yards on six carries with a TD of his own.

Here's where it gets interesting. If you look at this game in a vacuum, score notwithstanding, there are still improvements happening on a weekly basis. First downs were about even, Millersville outgained Mercyhurst through the air, and were only outgained by about 120 yards total. Take a look at last year's box score against Mercyhurst. None of those categories were remotely close.

The issue came between midfield and the 30 yard line once the Marauders crossed into Laker territory. It was what could be considered a "dead spot" where the offense stalled. That will be a point of focus to be certain.

Up next for the Ville is #23 West Chester under the lights. Be sure to come out and experience Millersville football with the lights on at Chryst Field. Nighttime football could be considered just as fun as football when snow has covered the field. Catch the pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. and all the live action here: www.millersvilleathletics.com/msbn