EDINBORO, Pa. — The Edinboro football team dropped a 31-14 decision to visiting Gannon on Saturday at Sox Harrison. The Scots rallied in the third quarter and held the Golden Knights to just three points in the second half, but couldn't overcome the early deficit.
The Golden Knights opened the game with the ball, and scored first on a NaSean Hill 18-yard touchdown run at 12:41 the PAT made it 7-0. The Scots picked up a first down on their opening possession and reached the Golden Knights' 43, but Keoke Toomer sacked Marchitelli, recovered the fumble and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown, with the extra point pushing the Golden Knights ahead 14-0.
The Golden Knights put together another scoring drive capping a 94-yard drive with a Ty Hurst 1-yard touchdown run at 13:45 extending the lead to 21-0. The Scots moved to midfield on
Nico Marchitelli completions to
Jeremiah Neeley and
Owen Steele before a penalty and punt. Gannon made the lead 28-0 when Nevaeh Elliott scored an 8-yard touchdown at 7:03.
The Scots threatened before the half with Marchitelli finding Zankl for 19 yards into Golden Knights territory, but
Antwan Ceasar lost a fumble that Ronin Walker recovered at 5:11. The Golden Knights drove to the Scots' 26 before an incomplete fourth-down pass gave the ball back with 1:44 left. Gannon carried the 28-0 lead into the locker room.
The Scots opened the third quarter with a 75-yard scoring drive, using
Nico Marchitelli's 35-yard completion to Neeley to cross into Golden Knight territory. Marchitelli connected with
Naseim Harrison for a 27-yard touchdown and
Tanner Bruzda's kick made it 28-7. After the Golden Knights' next drive stalled following a tackle for loss by
Nick Rossi and
Jaden Branch and an accepted holding penalty,
Eli Nichols blocked the punt to set up the Fighting Scots at the Golden Knights' 30. Jerry Dinkins gained 6 yards on first down, and Marchitelli hit Neeley for a 24-yard touchdown at 9:31 as to cut the lead to 28-14. The Golden Knights answered with a 12-play, 40-yard drive that ended with Brock Kiefer's 24-yard field goal at :41.
The Golden Knights drove from the Fighting Scots' 45 to the 8, but
Elijah Wentz intercepted Hurst at the goal line and returned it 11 yards at 11:33. The Scots moved the ball behind Marchitelli, including completions of 8 and 22 yards to Zankl and a 10-yard Marchitelli run, but the drive ended on downs at the Golden Knights' 30 with 7:02 left. The Golden Knights converted four third downs in the quarter and reached the Fighting Scots' 17 on their final possession before kneeling out the clock, leaving the fourth scoreless and setting the 31-14 final.
Marchitelli completed 13 of 21 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns and added 54 rushing yards on 16 carries. Neeley caught three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Amari Jones led the Fighting Scots with 10 tackles. Wentz recorded six tackles and added an interception.
Hurst completed 15 of 21 passes for 258 yards and added 34 rushing yards with a touchdown. Donell Mason caught six passes for 104 yards and added 52 rushing yards on five carries. Keoke Toomer recorded five tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. Elliott rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown and added two receptions for 30 yards.
The Fighting Scots host Seton Hill at noon Saturday, Oct. 31, at Sox Harrison Stadium.
