Lake Erie College Storm (3-8, 2-8 GLIAC in 2011)
at Gannon University Golden Knights (4-7, 3-4 PSAC in 2011)
Aug. 30, 2012 | 7 p.m. | Gannon Field (Erie, Pa.)

THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE/SHIP'S WHEEL TROPHY

THE SHIP'S WHEEL: In 2011, a trophy was introduced to the Lake Erie-Gannon series, the Ship's Wheel to commemorate "The Battle of Lake Erie."  For a brief history of the wheel, and it's symbolism, click here.

QUICK NOTES: Lake Erie opens the 2012 season like it has the previous four, with its traditional nonconference game against Gannon.  Dubbed "The Battle of Lake Erie", the winning team gets bragging rights to the "Ship's Wheel" trophy… Lake Erie won last year's game 13-10 to snap a three-game series losing streak… the combined margin of victory in the series' first four games is 12 points… the Storm is 0-2 at Gannon Field… LEC returns 39 letterwinners and 16 players with starting experience, led by returning senior All-GLIAC offensive lineman Mike McElligott (St. Peter Chanel), preseason All-Ohio senior kicker Sam Marcotte (Chardon) and preseason All-Ohio senior defensive end Taylor Leppla…  senior transfer Patrick Nicely (Willoughby South/Akron) beat out Brendan Gallagher (Aurora) for the starting QB spot in a spirited preseason battle.  Gallagher threw for 199 yards and the game-winning TD in last year's win over Gannon, filling in for suspended starter Sean Bedevelsky.  Nicely started 19 games in three seasons at Akron… also joining the Storm this season from D-I programs are redshirt freshman tight end Anthony Kukwa (Perry/Ball State), redshirt freshman defensive lineman Alex Belconis (Mentor/Kent State) and junior linebacker Isaiah Bell (Youngstown Liberty/Michigan)… Lake Erie was picked to finish fourth in the GLIAC South this season… Gannon will be making its debut under new head coach Brad Rzyczycki, the team's former defensive coordinator.  Rzyczycki played collegiately at Mercyhurst where he starred four-years under Storm head coach Mark McNellie who was the team's defensive coordinator… the Golden Knights were picked sixth in the PSAC Western Division preseason poll.      

• Game Notes
• Statistics
• Schedule and Results
• Roster
• Coaching Staff
• 2011 Media Info Center

• Game Notes
• Statistics
• Schedule and Results
• Roster
• Coaching Staff
• 2012 Media Guide

• GLIAC Football Homepage
• GLIAC Weekly Preview (Available Thursday)
• GLIAC Football Media Day Central
• 2012 GLIAC Media Guide
• 2012 GLIAC Record Book
• LIVE Scoreboard
  
  

UP NEXT: Lake Erie hosts Ferris State University next Saturday, Sept. 8, in the home and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opener.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Jack Britt Memorial Stadium.