Box Score

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Jansen Jones' (Rochester, N.Y./Penfield) career-high 183 rushing yards and a stellar defensive performance helped the Gannon football team capture a 13-7 victory Saturday night at Lock Haven. The decision snapped the Golden Knights' seven-game losing streak and extended the Bald Eagles' drought to 51 games.

Gannon appeared to be immediately off and running, scoring a touchdown on the first possession of the game. The Golden Knights kept the ball on the ground for the entire drive while marching 81 yards on seven plays.

The trio of Jones, Liam Nadler (Leipsic, Ohio/Leipsic Local) and Alex Papson (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) combined to handle the load. The strategy resulted in 35 yards for Jones, 30 for Nadler and two for Papson. The eventual touchdown was a three-yard blast from Papson 3:09 into the contest.

Lock Haven managed its only seven points during Gannon's next possession, The Bald Eagles intercepted a pass and returned it 41 yards for the tying score at the 8:54 mark of the first quarter.

The game turned into a defensive slugfest the rest of the way. Gannon extended its lead to 13-7 with Matt Szczupakowski (Spencerport, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) field goals of 24 yards during the second quarter and 37 yards in the third quarter.

Szczupakowski's first field goal came after Mike Phillips (Bowie, Md./Bowie) set Gannon up in prime field position with a 21-yard interception return to the Lock Haven 13-yard line.

Abraham Ocasio (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes), who broke Gannon's single-season reception record last week, made a crucial tackle at the end of the first half to preserve a 10-7 lead. Lock Haven's Tyrai Anderson intercepted a pass and returned it 63 yards as time expired, before Ocasio made a half-ending tackle at the Gannon 23-yard line.

Ta'Von Bailey (Lanham, Md./DeMatha Catholic) then made possibly the tackle of the night on the opening play of the second half. Lock Haven's Brandon Brader broke loose for a 72-yard run, but Bailey chased him down from behind and knocked Brader out of bounds at the one-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Brader fumbled the ball and Ashton Jones (Erie, Pa./Strong Vincent) recovered the ball.

Trailing 13-7, Lock Haven produced its only legitimate drive of the second half during a possession that spanned both quarters. The Bald Eagles reached the Gannon 10-yard line, before missing a 31-yard field goal.

Gannon assumed control of the ball at its 16-yard line with 4:02 left in regulation following a Lock Haven punt. The Golden Knights proceeded to run the clock out with six consecutive running plays that picked up two first downs. A Nadler two-yard run on third-and-one and Jones' 12-yard run immediately afterwards sealed the deal.

Jones was the story of the night, running wild for a career-high 183 yards on 29 carries. It represented the 10th-highest single-game total in school history and the most rushing yards by a Golden Knight since Zach Boedicker had 184 against Mercyhurst on September 22, 2007. Jones, who entered Saturday's contest with 361 yards through eight games, shattered his previous career-high of 128 yards set against Slippery Rock on November 5, 2011.

Nadler finished 13-of-21 for 113 yards through the air. Ocasio and Justin Caliste (Roseville, Calif./Oakmont) hauled in four passes each.

Gannon recorded 11 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery on defense. Bailey, Phillips and Christopher Avery (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) led the team with seven tackles each. Eight different Golden Knights had a tackle for a loss.

Head coach Brad Rzyczycki's troops held advantages in first downs (21-16), rushing yards (196-92), total yards (309-245) and time of possession (32:06-27:54). Lock Haven out-gained Gannon 153-113 via the air. The Golden Knights' 196 rushing yards were the program's most since picked up 216 rushing yards against Lock Haven on October 15, 2011. The Bald Eagles' seven points were the fewest allowed by a Gannon team since a 47-0 shutout of Millersville on September 17, 2011.

Gannon improved to 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division with Saturday's victory. Lock Haven remained winless at 0-9 overall and 0-6 in conference action. The Bald Eagles extended their losing streak to 51 games dating back to the 2007 campaign. It represents the longest losing streak at any level of the NCAA.

The Golden Knights return to action Saturday, November 3 against 16th-ranked Indiana (Pa.). Game time at Gannon University Field is scheduled for 12 noon.