David Otero
Sports Editor
On Saturday, September 29, the LIU Post Pioneers football team suffered their second consecutive loss of the season. The Pioneers lost in overtime, 31-24, to the Edinboro University Fighting Scots. The Pioneers fell to 2-2 on the season while the Fighting Scots improved to 2-2.
With the score locked 17-17 deep into the fourth quarter, the Pioneers managed to orchestrate a 10-play, 70-yard drive that would break the tie. Sophomore quarter¬back Steven Laurino fired a 28-yard touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Kamron Palmer to give LIU Post a 24-17 advantage with 31 seconds remaining in the game.
However, the Pioneers were unable to walk away with a win despite the clutch touchdown late in the game. After electing to squib the ensuing kickoff, the Fighting Scots were given solid field position starting at the Pioneers’ 47-yard line. Following an intentional grounding penalty by Fighting Scots quarterback Cody Harris, things seemed bleak for Edinboro. On third and long, Harris heaved up a prayer that ended up being caught by Fighting Scots sophomore wide receiver Devin Ghafoor for a 35-yard gain. And just like that, Edinboro was given new life and had one last chance to force the game into overtime. On the very next play, Harris connected with senior wide receiver Marcus Johnson over the middle from 12 yards out to even up the score, 24-24.
The Fighting Scots received possession first to begin the extra session. Harris and the offense would continue their momentum as they would need only two plays to find the end zone and put the pressure back on the Pioneers offense. Once again, Harris found Johnson for a touchdown, this time a 20-yard strike gave the Fighting Scots the advantage.
As per overtime rules, the Pioneers were given possession of the ball, but they had to score a touchdown to extend the game. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, they were unable to move the chains and came up empty, losing a heartbreaker by a final score of 31-24.
In the loss, the Pioneers suffered their first turnover of the year when Steven Lauri¬no threw an interception early in the second quarter. For the game, Laurino went 21-38 for 232 yards and one passing touchdown. Laurino also lead the team in rushing as he carried the ball 19 times for 86 yards and a touchdown. Kamron Palmer led the Pioneers with four receptions and 47 yards to go along with the fourth quarter touchdown. In addition, senior tight end Pat Fitzgerald caught a touchdown pass which gave the Pioneers their first points of the game.
The defense of the Pioneers struggled all afternoon trying to stop junior quarter¬back Cody Harris. He came into the contest with a completion percentage just below 70 percent, and he only improved that number once he was done with the Pioneers. He completed 27 of his 34 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns, while throwing zero interceptions.
The Pioneers will try to bounce back off the tough loss next week as they face the Shippensburg University Red Raiders (5-0) on Saturday, October 6. It will not be an easy task as the Red Raiders have averaged scoring over 53 points per game this season and have beaten opponents by an average margin of 34 points per game.
Tune into 88.1 FM or WCWP.org to hear all the game coverage. Pregame is at 12:30 p.m. and kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
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