TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette
After a Week 1 victory, Lock Haven misplaced to Indiana (Pa.) on the street, 42-10, extending a shedding streak to IUP that dates to 1982.
INDIANA — The first street take a look at for Lock Haven Football this season definitely didn’t go as deliberate, because the (1-1) Bald Eagles fell to the (1-1) IUP Crimson Hawks, 42-10. That loss marks the thirty seventh straight sport that Lock Haven has misplaced to IUP.
Both of the Haven’s scores got here because of the protection, as a Troy Miller choose six resulted of their solely landing on the day. Then, a Bode Sipel compelled fumble deep in IUP territory led to a Kaden Bauer 42-yard subject purpose.
Here are 5 takeaways from the sport.
PASSING GAME WOES CONTINUE
Last week, there was some concern with how the Haven’s passing assault regarded, and their struggles continued against the Crimson Hawks. In complete, quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky threw for 130 yards against IUP, ending the sport with a sub 50-percent completion proportion.
It appeared like Ostrowsky and his receivers couldn’t handle to get on the identical web page all day lengthy, as there have been a handful of cases the place each QB and WR appeared to get confused on what route was alleged to be run.
Struggles like this have been to be anticipated as Ostrowsky tries to construct chemistry with an entire new move catching group, however it’s nonetheless a worrying development on simply how off it seems to be up to now.
After the sport, Lock Haven head coach Joe Battaglia addressed the passing sport issues, and famous on what wants to alter for the offense to get again to the shape it had a yr in the past.
“We need to start with keeping the QB upright. We need to hunker down our protection and give us a chance to make plays,” stated Battaglia.
“That being said, this offense has a lot of freedom to throw the football down the field to create big plays. We’re just off on our timing right now, something we need to get better at asap to give us a chance to score.”
SECONDARY
MISCOMMUNICATIONS PROVE COSTLY
Another worrying development that continued on from Week One was the breakdowns within the secondary, and people mishaps typically led to catastrophe. Most of IUP’s factors got here by way of the air, scoring on passing performs of 30, 57 and 72 yards. Just like with the Haven wide-outs, there have been many cases of Bald Eagle defenders taking a look at one another in confusion all through the sport.
After conceding 299 yards final week against Glenville, it solely acquired worse on Saturday. In complete, IUP quarterback Matthew Rueve handed for 365 yards and 5 touchdowns, along with his lone interception being the aforementioned Miller choose six.
JAEION PERRY HAS BEEN A STANDOUT
While as a unit Lock Haven’s defensive backs have struggled, there have been just a few notable standouts, and none greater than nook Jaeion Perry. In Saturday’s sport, Perry had the herculean job of shadowing prime Crimson Hawks receiver Maurice Massey.
Massey stuffed the stat sheet a yr in the past for IUP, racking up 46 catches for 720 yards and eight touchdowns, being named All-PSAC West first group and a nominee for the Harlon Hill Trophy. Needless to say, it regarded like Perry could be in for an extended day.
But Perry deserves his flowers for his efficiency Saturday, as he held top-of-the-line broad outs within the PSAC to simply three catches for 26 yards, and was additionally the nook who tipped the ball into the air that led to Miller’s choose six. Perry has been an enormous vivid spot for the Haven by way of two video games and positively deserves reward.
NEW FACES ON
THE D-LINE
Lock Haven’s line of defense noticed some new faces for the primary time this season. Players like Justin Castro-Dixon, Benjamin Carey and David Montgomery noticed an uptick in taking part in time. Specifically Carey, a real freshman, was a reputation who stood out and had some spectacular move rush reps.
“At the end of the day, anyone who can help us at a high level will be in the rotation.” Coach Battaglia stated when requested in regards to the new faces. “Practices are graded daily and as we keep working and developing the rest of that room there’s no limit on who else could join that rotation weekly.”
STILL LOOKING FOR
THAT UPSET WIN
While the Bald Eagles are nonetheless within the midst of top-of-the-line stretches of soccer this program has seen in a very long time, they’re nonetheless in search of their first true upset win. Last yr, they got here shut in video games versus IUP, Cal (Pa.), Shepherd and East Stroudsburg, however they’ve but to handle to finish a shocking win.
“I thought we reverted back to a lot of old habits from last season,” Battaglia stated when requested about his ideas on the sport. “It’s hard to beat the opponent and beat yourself when you put yourself in those situations penalty wise. We had multiple blown assignments on both sides of the ball today, defensively, allowing three easy touchdowns and offensively, leading to a couple sacks and TFL’s.”
(We) shot ourselves within the foot quite a few occasions and you may’t try this against group like IUP as a result of they’ll capitalize like they did. The excellent news is it’s fixable and the blokes are purchased in to fixing it beginning tomorrow.”