Lycoming College

EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. — The Lycoming College football team defeated Wilkes University, 17-7, in a Landmark Conference game on Saturday, Oct. 10, holding Wilkes scoreless in three of four quarters and forcing two fumbles.
 
The Warriors are 3-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Wilkes is 2-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
 
Senior Jared Zimmerman (Souderton, Pa./Souderton Area) caught seven passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Zimmerman has recorded at least 100 receiving yards in two consecutive games, has caught two touchdown passes in two straight games and has 530 receiving yards this season. Junior Joe Lyons III (Margate City, N.J./Atlantic City) completed 16 of 20 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Lyons' 195 passing yards brought him to 1,022 for the season and 3,082 for his career, surpassing 1,000 season passing yards and 3,000 career passing yards - the 13th player in school history to reach the mark. He has thrown at least two touchdown passes in two consecutive games. Senior Terrence Oliver (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) carried 24 times for 75 yards and added a 3-yard reception and sophomore Yahseam Stokes (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) recorded two tackles and recovered two fumbles.
 
Lycoming opened the first quarter with a nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive, with Lyons hitting Zimmerman for 32 yards before finding him again for an 18-yard touchdown at 10:18. The Warriors' defense answered by stopping Wilkes on fourth down at the Lycoming 27 on the next possession. The Warriors finished the quarter ahead 7-0 after recording four first downs, all through the passing game.
 
Lycoming's opening drive of the second quarter produced the only scoring of the quarter, with senior Spencer Ferguson (Downingtown, Pa./Coatesville Area) converting fourth-and-1 at the Wilkes 38 before Lyons hit Zimmerman for a 29-yard touchdown on fourth-and-3 at 10:18. The Warriors' defense maintained the margin when junior Daniel Atsou (Capitol Heights, Md./Suitland) forced a fumble that Stokes recovered at the Lycoming 27. The quarter ended with the Warriors in front 14-0.
 
The Warriors were held scoreless in the third quarter, and their main scoring chance ended at the Wilkes 27 when Lyons was sacked with 8:11 left. Earlier in the drive, Lyons hit Zimmerman for 15 yards on third-and-6 and Oliver broke a 26-yard run to move Lycoming into Wilkes territory. Wilkes followed with a 15-play, 81-yard drive capped by Nigel Linton's 5-yard touchdown run and the extra point, cutting the Warriors' lead to 14-7 at the end of the quarter.
 
Lycoming added the fourth quarter's only points when sophomore Vasco Granitto (Dover, Del./Polytech) hit a career-long 42-yard field goal with 2:52 left, giving the Warriors a 17-7 lead. Wilkes drove to the Lycoming 8 on the next possession, but junior JayVon Story (Philadelphia, Pa./West Catholic) sacked Trey Dogmanits and Stokes recovered Dogmanits' fumble at the Lycoming 17. Story has recorded at least one sack in consecutive games, extending the streak to two. The Warriors closed out the win from there.
 
Senior Louie Shank (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle Area) reached a career milestone of 100 total tackles, finishing the game with 103.
 
Dogmanits completed 15-of-31, passing for 195 yards and added 37 rushing yards to lead the Colonels. Daniel Pigga caught five passes for 60 yards, rushed for 13 yards and returned a punt 11 yards. Linton rushed 15 times for 54 yards and a touchdown and added a 16-yard reception. Tyler Wetzel recorded a team-high 12 tackles.
 
Up next, the Warriors host Juniata at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at David Person Field at Girardi Stadium in Williamsport, Pa.