Sept. 17, 2007

Erie, Pa. - With its best start since 1999, the Mercyhurst football team is beginning to receive recognition. Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette placed the Lakers at No. 22 after defeating Wayne State Saturday.

The Lakers are now 3-1 on the year and have defeated Ferris State and Wayne State in back-to-back weeks. Mercyhurst was picked to finish 11th in the GLIAC in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, while Ferris State was picked fourth and Wayne State was fifth.

Mercyhurst has scored 100 points in the last two games, including 58 in the wild 58-50 triple overtime win over Wayne State.

Grand Valley State is ranked No. 1 by Don Hansen's Football Gazette, followed by North Dakota, North Alabama, Chadron State, and Nebraska-Omaha. No. 21 Michigan Tech is the only other GLIAC school ranked ahead of Mercyhurst, while Northwood is No. 24 and Hillsdale is No. 38 in Hansen's Top 40.

Mercyhurst, which has played three games away from Tullio Field thus far, will be on the road again this week, although it will make just a short trip across town. The Lakers will play at Gannon Saturday at 7:00 p.m.