LIU Sharks Hard-Fought Win In Conference Play
BY: VICTOR THOMAS / STAFF WRITER
Fins up, bite down! The LIU Sharks got a huge win at home last Saturday as they defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers 27-24 at Shark Stadium. This was the Sharks’ first win of the season, and it was a crucial one as it was their first game in conference play.
Luca Stanzani started at quarterback for LIU as Ethan Greenwood was nursing a hamstring injury. The running game carried the Sharks, finishing with 263 net rushing yards compared to only 78 from Mercyhurst. Stanzani racked up 63 yards through the air and 77 yards on the ground.
It was a game played in the trenches for the Sharks. The offensive line asserted its dominance on the Lakers' defensive line throughout the entirety of the game. LIU running backs Jesiah McKnight and Sam Slade each finished with 70+ rushing yards.
The running back duo of McKnight and Slade also found their way into the endzone. Slade scored on a one-yard rush late in the first quarter and again on a five-yard rush early in the fourth quarter. McKnight found paydirt on a 21-yard rush in the fourth quarter. These two certainly pushed the Sharks forward with big contributions.
On the opposing side, the Lakers relied more on the passing game. Mercyhurst quarterback Alex Gevaudan finished the game with 237 yards on 25 completions and three passing touchdowns. Wide receiver Dylan Evans had a great performance, ending with six catches for 66 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
But the LIU defense shut down Mercyhurst running back Jameir Gamble, who entered Saturday as the No. 1 rusher in the NEC. Gamble finished the game with only 35 yards on the ground on 12 carries.
Sharks kicker Will Johnson added to his successful season, scoring two field goals for LIU. Johnson was named special teams player of the week against Villanova on Sept. 21. He has been a very underappreciated part of the Sharks' success so far this year.
After this big win against Mercyhurst, the Sharks look to carry this momentum into the next game and go on a successful run here, midway through the season. It was a slow start to the season for the Sharks, as they began 0-5, but LIU is focused on the future, not the past.
LIU has an important schedule coming up, as these next games will dictate placement in the conference. The Sharks' win in their first game of conference play was huge for the team. LIU anticipates October, looking to ride on this wave of momentum.
The Sharks are on the road this Saturday. The team will be travelling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to face off against the Duquesne Dukes at 1 p.m. The Dukes had a bye week this past weekend, after they beat division 2 Rio Grande 53-0 in their last game on Sept. 26.
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