ERIE, Pa. – Gannon football stormed back from an early 14-point deficit and carried a three-point advantage into the fourth quarter, but Seton Hill regained the lead late and intercepted a pass on the Golden Knights' potential game-winning drive to seal a 21-17 victory Saturday afternoon at McConnell Family Stadium in PSAC West action.
Makei Thompson (San Diego, Calif./Mira Mesa) highlighted the afternoon with a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown and a blocked field goal. Thompson's pick-six marked Gannon's first since September 23, 2023, and ranks as the eighth-longest interception return for a touchdown in program history.
Ty Hurst (Tallmadge, Ohio/Tallmadge) scrambled right for a six-yard touchdown run, while
Brock Kiefer (Eighty-Four, Pa./Canon McMillan) connected on a 36-yard field goal to give Gannon a 17-14 lead in the third quarter.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: Seton Hill 21, Gannon 17
Records: Gannon (0-7, 0-5 PSAC West), Seton Hill (3-4, 2-2 PSAC West)
Location: McConnell Family Stadium – Erie, Pa.
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Early Deficit: Seton Hill capitalized on two Gannon turnovers in the opening quarter, turning both into touchdowns to build an early 14-0 advantage.
- Hurst Gets Gannon on the Board: The Golden Knights responded early in the second quarter with a six-play, 57-yard scoring drive capped by a six-yard touchdown run from Hurst with 12:32 remaining. Kiefer's extra point cut the deficit to 14-7.
- Thompson Shines Defensively: Makei Thompson (San Diego, Calif./Mira Mesa) delivered two of Gannon's biggest defensive plays, returning an interception 52 yards for a touchdown and blocking a 41-yard field-goal attempt in the third quarter. His pick-six was Gannon's first since Kam Snell returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown against Clarion on September 23, 2023, and ranks as the eighth-longest interception return for a touchdown in program history. Thompson also finished with three tackles, including one tackle for loss.
- Golden Knights Take the Lead: Gannon carried its second-quarter momentum into the second half, opening the third quarter with a defensive stop before marching 40 yards on seven plays. Kiefer connected on a 36-yard field goal with 9:36 remaining in the quarter to give the Golden Knights their first lead of the afternoon, 17-14.
- Late Seton Hill Rally: The Griffins regained the lead early in the fourth quarter, putting together a seven-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. A 15-yard touchdown pass with 12:38 remaining proved to be the game-winning score as Gannon was held scoreless in the final quarter.
- Hill Leads the Ground Game: Nasean Hill paced the Gannon rushing attack with 74 yards on 15 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. Hurst added 44 yards and a touchdown on eight carries as the Golden Knights finished with 129 rushing yards.
- Welcome Back, Moore: Making his 2026 season debut, former All-PSAC West Second Team honoree Damario Moore (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) provided a spark to the Gannon offense, leading the Golden Knights with 56 receiving yards on two catches, including a 33-yard reception. Moore also added five rushing yards on one carry.
- Through the Air: Hurst completed 9-of-19 passes for 134 yards. Chazz Corley (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central) hauled in a team-high four receptions for 47 yards, while Zaheem Crawford-Patterson (Irvington, N.J./Irvington) added a 21-yard reception.
- Defensive Standouts: RJ Roberts (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) led the Golden Knights with 11 tackles, including a sack, while Aydin Edison (Dickinson, Texas/Dickinson) and Ronaldinho Jones (Brooklyn, N.Y./Abraham Lincoln) collected 10 tackles apiece. Keoke Toomer (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis) added eight tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack as Gannon finished with 10 tackles for loss and three sacks.
- Special Teams: Daniel Lindenberger (Fairview, Pa./Fairview) averaged 54.2 yards on four punts, highlighted by a 71-yard boot in the fourth quarter that ranks as the third-longest punt in program history. Three of his four punts traveled at least 50 yards. Kiefer connected on a 36-yard field goal and converted both extra-point attempts.
- Final Numbers: Seton Hill held a narrow 284-263 advantage in total offense and a 17-10 edge in first downs. Gannon outgained the Griffins on the ground, 129-94, while the defense limited Seton Hill to 2.5 yards per rushing attempt.
Up Next
Gannon returns to the road on Saturday, October 24, traveling to Edinboro for a PSAC West matchup against the Fighting Scots. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
This story was written using the support of AI.
