PAINESVILLE, OHIO -- Lake Erie College was in the contest for a half but could not stay with Michigan Tech University for four quarters in a 42-13 defeat on Patriot Day Saturday (Sept. 11).  A school record crowd of 2,168 were on hand for the Storm's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and home opener at Jack Britt Memorial Stadium.

Lake Erie (0-2, 0-1 GLIAC) outgained Michigan Tech (1-0, 1-0 GLIAC) by a single yard (405-404) but a Huskies' kickoff return for a touchdown and two interceptions accounted for the scoring differential. 

Lake Erie took the opening kickoff and marched 69 yards down to the Huskies' 6-yard line where they settled for a 23-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Sam Marcotte (Chardon, Ohio/Chardon).  The big play of the drive was a 55-yard connection from junior quarterback Sean Bedelevsky (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick) to redshirt junior wingback Dave Romeo (Eastlake, Ohio/Eastlake North). Romeo was a big play threat the entire day for the Storm with six catches for 148 yards.  

Michigan Tech responded with an identical eight-play, 69 yard drive of its own with the result a three-yard touchdown run by Phil Milbrath.  Milbrath would be heard from often on the day as he accounted for 191 yards total offense (108 rushing, 82 receiving) and three TDs.  Lake Erie would again take the lead with 4:23 to go in the first as senior Demetrius Gray (Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland South) caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Bedevelsky to cap the Green and White's best drive of the day, a nine-play, 86 yards effort, and put the Storm ahead, 10-7.   

That lead would last just 11 seconds as the Huskies' Akeem  Cason took the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to take a 14-10 advantage which they would never relinquish.  MTU showed its big play ability yet again three minutes later as Milbrath took a Steve Short screen pass 67 yards to the endzone and put MTU up 21-10 after the first quarter. 

The defenses finally settled in during the second quarter, as Marcotte's second field goal of the day, a 35-yarder, was the only scoring of the quarter with Michigan Tech taking a 21-13 lead to the break.

The second half was all Huskies' as Lake Erie moved the ball and twice pushed inside the Michigan Tech 25, but could not finish the drives.  Mibrath scored for the third time of the day with 9:46 to play in the third quarter to make the score 28-13. 

In the final quarter, Michigan Tech took to the ground and it resulted in two touchdowns, a 14-yard keeper by Short and a one-yard score from backup running back Cedrick Barber.

Bedevelsky finished 17-of-32 in the game for 262 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.  His favorite targer besides Romeo was redshirt junior wide receiver Brandon James (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) with five catches for 42 yards. Bedevelsky also rushed for 41 yards on eight keeps while junior Kameron Alexander was the Storm's leading rusher with 50 yards on nine carries. 

Junior defensive back Kenneth Glenn (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Buchtel) was Lake Erie's leading tackler on the day with seven (six solo), while junior defensive back Steve Bensinger (Poland, Ohio/South Range) was in on six stops. 

Lake Erie is on the road the next two Saturdays, going to Saginaw Valley State on Sept. 18 and Hillsdale on Sept. 25 before returning home on Oct. 2 against Ferris State at 1 p.m.

STORM NOTES

• In throwing for 262, Bedevelsky surpassed the 200-yard mark for the 12^th time in his career.
• The Storm's 405 yards of offensive was their most in a game since October 17, 2009 at The Apprentice School.
•  This was the second straight game which Lake Erie College outgained its opponent in a losing effort.
• The Green and White's 405 yards were their most in a loss since October 3, 2009, when they gained 667 in a 52-49 defeat at the hands of Ohio Dominican. 
• Romeo tied his career-high with six receptions.  This was his third career 100-yard game.
• Glenn's six solo tackles tied his career-high.