EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Trailing 14-0 in the first quarter and down 11 points late in the third, the East Stroudsburg University football team found a way to win again, defeating Lock Haven 38-35 on Saturday afternoon at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
The Warriors (7-1, 4-1 PSAC East) recorded their fourth consecutive win and remain in second place in the PSAC East. The Bald Eagles (3-5, 2-3 PSAC East) suffered their fourth loss by a single possession this season.
The Warriors' ground game produced over 250 yards for the third consecutive contest, with Tahir Mills and Tyriq Lewis each posting over 100 yards for the second straight game. It's the first time in program history two rushers have run for 100 yards in consecutive games and the first time it's been done in the same season. Before last week's performance, the Warriors hadn't had two 100-yard rushers in the same game since 2013.
After a slow start, ESU found itself in a 14-0 hole less than halfway through the first quarter. Though the Warriors gradually climbed back, the Bald Eagles continued to score. ESU took its first lead with 8:44 remaining. The Warriors controlled the fourth quarter, holding Lock Haven to 39 yards on 13 plays while gaining 119 yards and possessing the ball for nearly 10 minutes of the 15-minute period.
With the victory, the Warriors opened a season 7-1 for the second consecutive year and just the second time since 2004.
Offensive Notables
Mills – the reigning PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week – made a case for another honor, rushing for 117 yards and two touchdowns while catching a nine-yard touchdown pass on his lone reception. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry and now trails Lewis by just one rushing yard for the season. Mills also added a two-point conversion to extend ESU's lead to three late in the game, contributing 20 total points in the victory.
Lewis – who surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards last week – ran for 105 yards. He now ranks sixth all-time in program history with 2,187 career rushing yards, surpassing Kendrick Williams (2009-12). Lewis is 393 yards away from second all-time, with three regular-season games remaining. He also led the team with five receptions for 43 yards, totaling a team-high 148 all-purpose yards.
Quarterback Sean McTaggart completed 18 of 27 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. He also rushed five times for 36 yards, including the game-sealing 10-yard play-action naked bootleg.
Justin Cook caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from McTaggart and led ESU with 66 receiving yards.
John Siggins hauled in a crucial 28-yard touchdown pass. Initially ruled out of bounds, the call was overturned after a challenge by head coach Jimmy Terwilliger, cutting LHU's lead to 35-30 with eight seconds left in the third quarter.
Defensive Highlights
Lucas Skelley led the defense with 10 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble recovered by Noah Hambrick. Defensive tackle Jake Williamson forced another fumble.
Raymond Simmons IV contributed nine tackles, while Khalil Scott added six tackles and two pass breakups.
Terell Reynolds recorded a sack and now leads the team with 4.5 sacks in 2024.
Special Teams Highlights
Ty Quintois made his only field goal attempt from 22 yards and converted all three extra points. Quintois, the PSAC's leading scorer, continues to be consistent for the Warriors.
Adam Noll had a standout performance, averaging 59.7 yards on three punts, including a 69-yard boot. Two of his punts pinned Lock Haven inside its 20-yard line.
How It Happened
From the opening kickoff, ESU struggled as Lock Haven recovered a short kick. On the first play, KJ Howard's 25-yard rush gave LHU a 7-0 lead just nine seconds into the game.
The Warriors' first drive stalled after a holding penalty, and Noll flipped the field with a 61-yard punt. LHU capitalized, driving 89 yards on 11 plays for a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Ostrowsky to Nino Cinti, extending the lead to 14-0.
Noll followed with a 69-yard punt, pinning LHU at its 7-yard line. The defense forced a three-and-out, setting up the Warriors at LHU's 40-yard line. On the next play, McTaggart found Cook for a one-handed, 40-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7.
Skelley forced a fumble that Hambrick recovered at LHU's 22-yard line. Quintois connected on a 22-yard field goal, narrowing the score to 14-10 after the first quarter.
LHU responded with a 75-yard drive to increase the lead to 21-10. ESU answered with an 82-yard, 10-play drive capped by McTaggart's nine-yard touchdown pass to Mills, making it 21-17.
Late in the half, McTaggart was intercepted by Rocco Daugherty, and LHU capitalized with a 24-yard touchdown pass, sending the Bald Eagles into halftime with a 28-17 lead.
In the third quarter, Mills scored on a two-yard run to bring ESU within four, 28-24. However, LHU struck back with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Ostrowsky to T'iar Young, restoring an 11-point lead at 35-24.
Facing 1st-and-35 after penalties, McTaggart connected with Siggins for a 28-yard touchdown on third-and-19. The play was originally ruled out of bounds, but officials overturned the call after a review after taking a look at the replay, couresty of Blue Ridge TV 13. ESU's two-point attempt failed, leaving the score at 35-30 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Warriors, who have outscored opponents 63-19 in the fourth quarter this season, continued their dominance. After forcing a punt, ESU went 67 yards on 10 plays, with Mills scoring his third touchdown on a 14-yard run. He added a two-point conversion to give ESU a 38-35 lead with 8:44 left.
LHU's final drive was derailed by holding and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, forcing a three-and-out and moving the Bald Eagles backward 22 yards.
After a Lewis fumble gave LHU one last chance with 5:02 remaining, the defense held firm. Everette Dingle broke up a pass on fourth-and-four to seal the win.
On fourth-and-1 near midfield, McTaggart faked a handoff and kept the ball for a 10-yard run, securing the victory.
Up Next
The Warriors will look to improve to 8-1 for the second time in 32 years when they host Shippensburg on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m.
