The Storm kicked off the season in grand fashion on Saturday, September 4 at Clarion University with a tight 31-26 victory. It was the first-ever meeting between the two programs. After being held to zero points in the first quarter, Lake Erie took a 21-7 in the second quarter to close out the first half and seal their first victory of the 2021 season.

On the first drive of the game, despite allowing Clarion into their red zone, Lake Erie survived via a missed field goal by the Golden Eagles. Neither team would threaten to score again for the rest of the first quarter.

Junior Gerald Gardner would get the Storm into the red zone early in the second quarter with a 38-yard pass to senior Josh Hufstetler. Devin Brown would end the drive by punching in a 1-yard run to take a 7-0 lead. 

After Lake Erie ended their next offensive drive with a punt, Clarion would answer by returning it to tie the game at 7-7.

The Lake Erie offense would immediately storm back next drive on the back of 80 strong passing yards by Gardner including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Eric Daniels.

Gardner would connect again with Hufstetler on a 12-yard touchdown pass for their second touchdown of the night to close out the second quarter and give the Storm a two-score lead going into the second half.

Lake Erie received the ball to open up the second half and failed to convert on 4th and 1 on the Clarion 39.

After Brown scored his second rushing touchdown of the night, Clarion would respond by returning Justin Smith's kickoff for their second special teams touchdown of the game and close the gap to 28-14.

The Golden Eagles would score once again but fail to convert the extra point to further close the gap and make it a 28-20 game.

Smith would complete a 33-yard field goal for the Storm and Clarion would follow it up with another touchdown and failed extra point attempt to close out the game and give Lake Erie a 31-26 victory.

Lake Erie finished the game with 446 total yards of offense while only allowing 202 yards. Gardner started the season off hot completing 29-of-43 for 365 yards and two passing touchdowns in addition to 40 yards on the ground.

Peyton Brown led the team in receiving with 126 yards while Hufstetler finished with 106 and one touchdown.

On the ground, Devin Brown led the team with 50 yards and two touchdowns.

Michael Cox recorded the Storm's lone sack of the game while senior Tareeq Welch recorded the team's lone interception. Senior Abdullaah Yaseen's six total tackles also led the team.

Lake Erie will be back in action Saturday 9/11 at 1 PM in Rindge, New Hampshire to take on Franklin Pierce University.