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Lycoming’s Lyons surpasses 3,000 career yards in Warriors’ win vs. Wilkes

By From staff reports 4 min read

EDWARDSVILLE -- The Lycoming College football team defeated Wilkes University,17-7, in a Landmark Conference game on Saturday, 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 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 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 carried 24 times for 75 yards and added a 3-yard reception and sophomore Yahseam Stokes 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Lycoming 17, Wilkes 7

Lycoming 7 7 0 3 -- 17

Wilkes 0 0 7 0 -- 7

First quarter

L--J. Zimmerman 18 pass from J. Lyons (V. Granitto kick), 10:18.

Second quarter

L--Zimmerman 29 pass from Lyons (Granitto kick), 10:18.

Third quarter

W--N. Linton 5 run (B. Schoppy kick), 0:29.

Fourth quarter

L--Granitto 42 field goal, 2:52.

TEAM STATISTICS

L W

First downs 15 16

Rushes-yards 40-89 33-110

Passing yards 195 195

C-A-I 16-20-0 15-31-0

Total yards 284 305

Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-2

Penalties-yards 8-84 8-85

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING--Lycoming, Terrence Oliver 24-75; Spencer Ferguson 9-27; Jason Lajara 1-1; Joe Lyons 6-(minus 14). Wilkes, NIgel Linton 15-54 TD; Trey Dogmantis 12-37; Daniel Pigga 3-13; William Smith 2-8; Juju Fears 1-(minus 2).

PASSING--Lycoming, Joe Lyons 16-20-0 195 2 TDs. Wilkes, Trey Dogmantis 15-31-0 195.

RECEIVING--Lycoming, Jared Zimmerman 7-129 2 TDs; Wesley Horsman 3-18; David Grayton 2-23; Mehki Bass 2-17; Theo Ferragame 1-5; Terrence Oliver 1-3. Wilkes, Daniel Pigga 5-60; Juju Fears 3-48; Shane Reed 2-32; Maddox McCormick 2-24; Nigel Linton 1-16; Brady Mizenko 1-11; Josh D'Amrbosio 1-4.

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