LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Last year was nothing short of a disaster for the Lock Haven football program, a one-win season and multiple blow out losses put them into freefall. First year head coach Dan Mulrooney preached that change was coming, little did everyone know it was going to arrive sooner than expected. Despite the 42-27 loss to West Chester (5-4) this Saturday, Lock Haven has shown massive improvements from last season. Lock Haven currently sits at 4-5 and is aiming to have the first five-win season since 1982.
“The fifth win is right on the tip of our tongue,” coach Mulrooney said when asked about chasing the ‘82 team, “we just can’t get it yet, but we will”.
To nobody’s surprise, the star of the West Chester game was running back Chris Collier. Collier has been the catalyst for the No. 8 ranked rushing attack in the Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference (PSAC), and on Saturday he became the first 1,000-yard rusher for The Haven since 1981. Coach Mulrooney seemed emphatic when talking about Collier and his role in the offense.
FB: With this run @LHU_Football standout running back Chris Collier becomes the Bald Eagles' first 1,000-yard rusher since 1981‼️🏈🦅 @PSACsports pic.twitter.com/zo5IGMwpBc
— Haven Athletics 🦅 (@HavenAthletics) October 28, 2023
“He is our offense. He’s a big piece of the puzzle there and we knew that when we recruited him. He’s a hell of a back and a hell of a player, he’s a 3D player. He has speed, he has the moves; he’s got it all. Honestly, he is one of the best players in the nation, not just the PSAC.”
Collier ran for 209 yards, 120 of those coming in the first half. It was clear that Mulrooney’s plan was to run the ball early and often versus the Golden Rams, who are ranked No. 15 in rush defense in the PSAC. Collier has won multiple PSAC Player of the Week awards, and there is a high chance he will be nominated PSAC Player of the Year. Lock Haven has made the run game their identity and it has made them a formidable opponent against anyone in the PSAC.
Saturday was nothing short of a historic game for the Bald Eagles. Alongside Collier’s great day, kicker Brett Zachman set a new PSAC record by nailing a 57-yard field goal in the final minute of the first quarter. Zachman is both the kicker and punter for the Bald Eagles and has excelled at both. He currently sits at .800 on field goals and is perfect on extra points, and Coach Mulrooney seemingly had no doubt Zachman could hit from 57.
FB: BOOOOOMMMMM!!💣
— Haven Athletics 🦅 (@HavenAthletics) October 28, 2023
Brett Zachman drills a @LHU_Football and @PSACsports RECORD 57-Yard Field Goal to put the Bald Eagles up 10-7 in the first quarter‼️🏈
Lock Haven currently leads 17-14 with 2:37 to go in the second quarter! @NCAADII
📊📺: https://t.co/YM6TVWPKCf pic.twitter.com/DXGDjW4rUZ
“Last week we had a 53-yard field goal that we should have attempted, and I bit myself for not trying it. He has a really good leg and we tried it at practice. He hit two in a row and I was like you know what, next time I’m going to give him a chance. Obviously, it was a really cool moment for him and for the program.”
Defense has also been a focus of The Haven’s new identity, and the main man in the middle Cody Romano, is a big factor. Romano is a graduate senior who transferred from Penn State this offseason. The linebacker currently sits number two in the PSAC in tackles and has been the clear-cut captain of the defense. When junior defensive tackle Isaiah Reed was asked about Romano’s impact, he made clear just how important Romano was.
“Cody came in over the summer and he bonded right away. He has a lot of knowledge, and you know he’s been around some very good high-level players at Penn State, so he was able to adopt that mentality and bring it straight over to here. It’s pretty awesome to play with someone who has been around guys at that level.”
It has been a very long time since fans of the Bald Eagles have had something to cheer about, but thanks to Mulrooney that is quickly changing. The future looks bright and a clear confidence and swagger has been embedded into the team.
UP NEXT:
Lock Haven will again look to chase that elusive fifth win next Saturday (Nov. 4) when they go on the road to face Shippensburg, then they will return home for senior night Saturday, Nov. 11 against Edinboro.
Ryan States is in his 3rd year at Lock Haven University, and his second with the Eagle Eye. He is a Journalism major with intentions to minor in Sports Management. With his never-ending passion for all things sports, he wishes to pursue a career as a sports writer for a major outlet. When not watching sports, he can be found playing video games, hanging out with friends at the REC. Or you can find him helping out in the booth during LHU sporting events. His biggest hope while at Lock Haven is to be able to positively contribute to LHU sports in any way he can.
