ERIE, Pa. – The Glenville State Football team produced nearly 500 yards of total offense and 17 more first downs today (Sept. 19) at Mercyhurst but the Lakers forced four Pioneer turnovers and took three of them back for touchdowns to down GSU, 49-20. Glenville State falls to (1-2) on the year to close out the non-conference portion of the 2026 schedule. Mercyhurst is now (1-3).
1st Quarter
A pair of turnovers started the afternoon in Erie, as
Ty Wickliffe picked off an Alex Gevaudan pass just two minutes in. However, Mercyhurst returned the favor in a big way, strip sacking
JD Sherrod from his blindside and returning it for a touchdown to take an early lead. Following a pair of uneventful drives, the Lakers would extend their advantage with a 64-yard passing TD to make it 14-0 right before the end of the quarter.
2nd Quarter
Glenville State put together a strong drive to start the second stanza, taking three points to the sideline after a 42-yard
Brody Layman field goal. The Pioneers seemed to be gaining momentum, as Wickliffe picked off another pass on Mercyhurst next possession. A sack and a Pioneer penalty killed that momentum, with the Lakers charging down the field 90 yards in nine plays to extend their lead to 21-3. Mercyhurst had their second defensive touchdown just minutes later with a 55-yard pick-six.
Brody Layman nailed a 25-yard field goal as time expired to trim the Pioneer deficit to 28-6 going into the locker room.
3rd Quarter
The home-sided Lakers boosted their advantage to 29 points after both teams went scoreless to open the new half, going 83 yards in nearly four minutes on 10 plays. GSU then ended the half with a strong drive, carrying it over to the fourth and final quarter.
4th Quarter
Graylan Holland got a convoy to the endzone from seven yards out to start the half, making it 35-13. Casteel gambled, calling the onside kick and it was successful to put the ball back in the blue and white's hands. Two plays later,
Maddox Bowers found
Kyree Bunny from 54 yards out to cut the Lakers lead to just two scores, 35-20. The Pioneer defense held strong once again, but it would be the Lakers defense who scored for the third time with a pick-six after Bowers pass was batted in the air and taken for a score.
Mercyhurst added a late TD with just over three minutes left to secure their first win of the year and hold off the Pioneers comeback attempt, 49-20.
Box Score
Mercyhurst
Alex Gevaudan went 10-for-25 with 179 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Lakers. Jameir Gamble led the rushing attack with 76 yards and two scores on 16 carries. Dylan Evans headlined the receiving core as he had two catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Braylon Beckwith led the way with seven tackles and an interception. Jayonn Saunders added six tackles, one pick and 0.5 TFL in the win.
Glenville State
JD Sherrod passed for 102 yards with an interception on 10-of-19 passing before exiting the game with an injury. Morgantown native
Maddox Bowers came in relief, completing 50% (21-42) of his passes for 249 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Zavione Wood took a bulk of the carries, rushing for 106 yards on 23 attempts. Freshman
Kyree Bunny had another big game, catching five passes for 98 yards and a score.
Caden Harris was once again Mr. Reliable as the UTEP transfer logged 10 catches for 87 yards.
It was a balanced day defensively with three different Pioneers finishing with five tackles, as
Ty Wickliffe shined with five stops and two interceptions. Navy transfer
Julien Moutome debuted on the defensive line with five tackles and 1.5 TFL.
Jacob Clark added four stops and a sack in the defeat.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers open conference play on the road at the University of Charleston next Saturday (Sept. 26). GSU and the Golden Eagles will kickoff at 1 p.m.
