Lycoming 27, Lebanon Valley 24

LVC Offensive Starters
PIrrone QB, Irving RB, Lysczek FB, Saylor WR, Gaval WR, Berberick TE, Kingshill LT, Stover LG, Weller C, Werner RG, Van Horn RT

LVC Defensive Starters
McLeod DE, Donlan DT, Maguire DT, Zimmerman DE, Garner OLB, Trujillo ILB, Gallagher OLB, Moser CB, Yetter FS, Murray SS, Gilger CB

Lyco Offensive Starters
Whiteman QB, Bowman RB, Dimaio FB, Morrison WR, Costello WR, Wagner TE, Hughes LT, Mital LG, Stubbs C, Biever RG, Myers RG

Lyco Defensive Starters
Smith DE, Hines DT, Rummel DT, Heinrichs DE, Robbins LB, Smith LB, Loffedro LB, Zedar CB, Ward S, Williams S, Williams CB

How It Happened
Lebanon Valley erased a 21-point first-half deficit and claimed the lead late in the fourth quarter but couldn't hold the advantage down the stretch in the team's heartbreaking 27-24 loss at Lycoming on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22.

With 6:09 left to play, Brendan Yetter recovered a Blake Bowman fumble caused by Kyle Murray at the Lycoming 22-yard line. Four plays later, Tyler Sterner connected with Michael Gaval for the go-ahead touchdown from nine yards out, giving LVC (1-6, 1-5 MAC) its first lead of the day at 24-21 with 4:37 remaining.

The Warriors (3-4avoided their third straight late-game loss by driving 75 yards in nine plays on the ensuing possession, capped by a 34-yard touchdown pass from Chase Whiteman to Nick Costello with 1:25 left to play. Devon Flynn's extra-point attempt was no good, giving the Flying Dutchmen a chance to get into field goal range in the closing moments.

Sterner completed three passes on Lebanon Valley's next drive and moved the Dutchmen to Lycoming's 41-yard line with 26 seconds remaining. Facing a fourth and six, Sterner was picked off by Joe Pinzka at the 23-yard line on what proved to be LVC's final offensive play, ending what was a relentless second-half comeback effort.

With the Dutchmen trailing 21-14, Marcus Brown converted a 28-yard field goal at the 12:05 mark of the fourth quarter off the hold of Dallas Arner to cut the deficit to four and cap an impressive 17-play, 69-yard drive that ate up over seven minutes of clock.

LVC made it a one-possession game midway through the third quarter when Sterner hit Gaval for one of the team's longest passing touchdowns of the season; a 30-yarder that finished off a seven-play, 47-yard drive and drew the Dutchmen to within 21-14 at the 7:11 mark.

Facing a 21-0 hole as the second quarter wound down, Lebanon Valley made a statement by driving 59 yards in 11 plays. A Brendon Irving 16-yard rush keyed the drive and fellow backfield mate Jon Jones capped it with a four-yard touchdown run with 28 seconds remaining before halftime.

A Tim Pirrone interception led to Lycoming's third touchdown of the first half as Bowman, the Middle Atlantic Conference's leading rusher, burst for a 57-yard run to paydirt on the Warriors' first play of the ensuing drive to make it 21-0 with 9:21 left in the second quarter.

Lyco got on the board first when the home team finished off its second possession of the game with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Whiteman to Costello with 6:09 remaining in the first quarter before the Warriors doubled their advantage with an 11-play, 56-yard drive that ended when Keeghan Morrison caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Collin Wright early in the second quarter.

It Was Over When…
Trailing 27-24, LVC had a chance to tie or go ahead on its last possession with less than two minutes remaining. The Dutchmen moved 29 yards into Lycoming territory and faced a fourth and six from the Lyco 41-yard line with 26 seconds left to play. Tyler Sterner took a shot downfield but was intercepted by the Warriors' Joe Pinzka at the 23-yard line to end LVC's valiant comeback effort.

Signs of Life
While the result didn't end in LVC's favor, there was a lot to be encouraged about. Quarterback Tyler Sterner showed an ability to command the offense, while wide receiver Michael Gaval was the first Dutchman to catch two touchdown passes in a game this season. Brendon Irving surpassed the 100-yard mark on the ground for the second time this season, while Jon Jones returned from injury and rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown. Marcus Brown connected on his third field-goal attempt of the year and the defense responded well after surrendering 21 points in the first half.

Inside the Numbers
- Lebanon Valley's offense came to life against Lyco, racking up 347 total yards of offense compared to 298 yard for the Warriors.
- The LVC ground game got back on track as the Dutchmen rushed for 220 yards and a score on 50 attempts.
- In his first significant appearance under center this season, Tyler Sterner impressed, finishing 11-19 for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
- Wideout Michael Gaval had the best game of his LVC career, finishing with four catches for 59 yards and a pair of touchdown receptions.
- Brendon Irving recorded his second 100-yard rushing game of the season, scampering for 105 yards on 20 carries and averaging 5.3 yards per touch.
- Jon Jones returned to the backfield after injury and rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
- Kyle Murray had a strong game for the defense. The safety finished with six tackles, including one for loss, and forced fumble.
- Alex Trujillo led the LVC linebacker corps with six stops and two sacks for a combined 23 yards for loss.
- Thanks to his 28-yard field goal, kicker Marcus Brown remained a perfect 3-3 on attempts this season.
- Lycoming's Chase Whiteman finished the game 9-15 for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Collin Wright was 4-5 for 48 yards and a score.
- Blake Bowman, the MAC's leading rusher was held to 93 yards on seven carries, with more than half his output coming on a 57-yard touchdown run.
- Nick Costello had a nice game for the Warriors, making six catches for 96 yards and two scores.
- Saturday's game was the sixth in a row between LVC and Lyco that was decided by one possession dating back to 2011.

Who's Next?
LVC returns to Arnold Field to host Misericordia for the program's annual Pink Game on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 29.