FOOTBALL
LOCK HAVEN — Graduate student Jesse Hoover (Curwensville) scored the go-ahead touchdown, the 10th of his four-year career, on a 32-yard pass in the third quarter, and Lock Haven went on to defeat West Virginia State 31-13 in the season opener for both teams at Hubert Jack Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Hoover, making his 29th start at wideout, led all receivers with six receptions for 73 yards as the Bald Eagles won their opener for the first time since 2005 and their first home opener since 2004 to the delight of 2,013 fans.
Sophomore running back Beau Swales (Clearfield) returned one kickoff 25 yards for Lock Haven, who trailed 6-3 at the half before reeling off four TDs in the third period.
The Bald Eagles will travel to Clarion Saturday for a 6 p.m. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference cross-over game between former West Division rivals.
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DAYTON, Ohio — Center Nick Redden (Clearfield) and the Duquesne (1-1) offense outgained Dayton (1-1) 359-317, but the Dukes were shut out in the second half as the Flyers rallied from a 20-14 deficit to pull out a 23-20 non-conference win in front of 3,478 fans at Welcome Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Redden, a graduate student, also is a punt protector for the Dukes.
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MIDLAND, Mich. — Redshirt sophomore defensive back Derek Morgan (Clearfield) made two solo tackles and broke up one pass as Slippery Rock started the campaign on a winning note by spoiling Northwood’s home opener 51-36 to disappoint the majority of the 2,007 fans at Hantz Field Saturday afternoon.
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CLARION — Sophomore long snapper Eric White (Clearfield) played a role in Clarion’s thrilling 39-38 overtime victory over Kutztown in the season opener for both Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference teams at Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon.
A Family Day crowd of 4,560 saw the Golden Eagles battle back after trailing 25-9 in the third quarter of the PSAC cross-over game, winning on an extra point kick by freshman Phil Esposito (Brockway) after matching the Golden Bears touchdown in the extra period.
Clarion almost didn’t get that opportunity, for Esposito’s 42-yard field goal attempt to tie the score with just eight seconds left in the fourth quarter was blocked. However, a Golden Eagle fell on the ball at the K-28 with one tick remaining, and Esposito nailed a 45-yarder after another perfect snap by White.
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MILLERSVILLE — Redshirt freshman quarterback Curtis Frye (Clearfield) made his first appearance for Millersville in a season-opening non-conference 47-16 loss to Long Island University-Post in front a Biemesderfer Stadium crowd of 2,752 Saturday afternoon.
The Marauders’ No. 2 signal-caller was trapped for a 10-yard loss in his lone pass attempt.
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NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Redshirt junior wide receiver Trey Campman (Clearfield) got his first taste of collegiate action Saturday as Indiana University of Pennsylvania, ranked No. 10 in the American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division II Top 25 Preseason Poll, turned back stubborn Southern Connecticut 30-20 with 3,128 fans looking on at Jess Dow Field.
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GOLF
FAYETTEVILLE — Sophomore John Gaylor (Clearfield) carded an 85 over the Penn National Golf Club’s Founders Course as Penn State DuBois finished third in a Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference invitational hosted by Penn State Mont Alto on Sept. 4.
Gaylor tied teammate Tighe Truman (Brookville) for 14th place among more than 50 golfers from nine PSUAC teams. John Kane (DuBois) had the low score for the Lions with an 82, good for sixth place.
Penn State DuBois posted a 342 to finish one stroke behind Penn State Lehigh Valley. Penn College, led by medalist Alex Howe’s 80 over the par-72 layout, claimed team laurels with a 325.
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WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
LOCK HAVEN — Penn State senior Gwenn Porter (Clearfield) knocked nearly a full minute off of her best time for a 4,000-meter race to place 13th in the Dolan Duals Friday.
She covered the West Branch Cross Country Course in 15:29.43, bettering the 16:22.91 she recorded in the 2012 Dolan Duals.
Penn State registered a perfect score in beating Lock Haven 15-40.