LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – It is no secret how much of a turnaround this season has been for Lock Haven football. The Haven had their first five-win season since 1982 and multiple record-breaking players. Going into the matchup against Edinboro, head coach Dan Mulrooney and the Bald Eagles (5-6) were looking to finish over .500 for the first time since 1981.
First Row (from left to right): Kyle Zajack, Ryan Flowers, Jaderian Johnson, DeAaron Lawrence
Second Row (from left to right): Dan Mulrooney, Cody Romano, Isiah Gonzalez, Armstrong Antoine, Chandler Baker, Mister Hogue, Kenneth Pettiford, Quon Williams, Danny Sanchez, Chris Collier, Jyair Thomas, Jaime Rodriguez-Vega, Freshman Troy Miller, Neville Smith, John Minnich
Third Row (from left to right): Davin Roy, Shaheed Salim, Joe Turek, Edward Leak, Brett Zachman
A team with nothing to lose is dangerous to play against and unfortunately for the Bald Eagles, Edinboro’s offense proved too much, as they would hold on to beat the Haven 36-30. Despite their 3-8 record, the Fighting Scots have had an impressive season. A close seven-point loss to Shepherd University, and a dominant win over the Mercyhurst Lakers shows just how good Edinboro can be when they bring their A-game.
Unfortunately for the Bald Eagles, penalties are what ultimately cost them, finishing with 12 for 116 yards, many of them being unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of plays. Notably Edinboro would finish the game with just two calls against them.
Despite this, Lock Haven never gave up and nearly pulled out the win, even after being down two touchdowns with only 4:14 remaining going into the fourth quarter. A late touchdown throw put the Bald Eagles within six, but a controversial illegal touching call on the ensuing onside kick all but sealed up the win for Edinboro.
Both quarterbacks had themselves a day, Edinboro’s Isaac Bernard threw for 194 yards and a touchdown. However, the story for Lock Haven was senior Kyle Zajack, who finished with 246 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those TDs being hauled in by standout sophomore T’iar Young. Zajack started in his second straight game after taking the job from fellow senior Danny Sanchez.
“He’s [Zajack] a great player,” Mulrooney said. “He was resilient, he battled as a backup and he took the starting role, as the season transpired, we needed some mobility back there and he stepped in and did a really good job.”
Not only was Zajack impressive, but running back Chris Collier was the catalyst for the Lock Haven offense and made his presence felt. He finished with 160 yards on the ground, including a massive 49-yard run, which set up a Young touchdown. Collier also broke the single season rushing yard record for Lock Haven, finishing the year with 1,393 yards on the ground. Collier was a transfer this season from Wagner College.
“I just saw something different in the coaches,” Collier said. “In my first meeting with Mulrooney, I just saw that look in his eye where he was going to do what he said he was going to do, and I got to give props to that man because every goal that he set out, we accomplished. Unfortunately, the ball didn’t roll our way today, but we accomplished so much and I’m just so thankful for that.”
Collier has been impressive all season for Lock Haven and is maybe the biggest transfer the Bald Eagles were able to land this offseason. However, he wasn’t the only big name, as coach Mulrooney was also able to pry star linebacker Cody Romano away from Penn State University.
“Coach Mulrooney met with me, and I just wanted to go to someplace where I could really make a difference for a school that hasn’t won in many years,” Romano said.
Romano has been a warrior for the Lock Haven defense, finishing with 9 tackles against Edinboro, that brought his season total to 81 tackles (No. 11 in the PSAC) and 14 tackles for loss (No. 8 in the PSAC). Romano rarely missed a snap all season and it was clear how much he meant to the No. 9 ranked defense in the PSAC. When asked about his transfer from PSU to Lock Haven, Romano made it clear how much being able to change a culture meant to him
This season was nothing short of a historic turnaround, and is, as coach Mulrooney puts it, “the best turnaround story in D2 football.” Lock Haven remained competitive in every contest this season, including Saturday against Edinboro, being just an onside kick away from having a chance at win number six. The future hasn’t looked this bright for the Bald Eagles in some time, and this will be a crucial off season for Coach Mulrooney as he looks to build off the momentum of this historic season.
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.
