PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The Lake Erie College Storm opened up their 2023 season at Jack Britt Memorial Stadium when the team took on the Franklin Pierce University Ravens on September 2, 2023. After a much anticipated offseason, the Storm looked to start the season off strong behind Coach Boldin's second year with the team.
Lake Erie got off to a quick start on the opening drive. In just three plays, thanks to a face mask penalty, the Storm would be at Franklin Pierce's own 49 yard line. On the next play Xeavier Bullock dropped a 49 yard bomb to Jovohn Tucker who made a great catch and run all the way to the goal line for the Storm. Unfortunately, Franklin Pierce's Harrison Barjolo was able to punch force a fumble at the goal line pushing the football through the back of the end zone. According to college rules, and a real momentum killer, Franklin Pierce took over at their own 20 yard line, erasing the 49 yard pickup by the Storm.
The first quarter went back and forth with many one and done drives for each team. Lake Erie's defense would also come away with a recovered muffed punt, and forced the Ravens to two three-and-outs possession in the first quarter, giving the Ravens a 7-0 lead at the end of one.
Xeavier Bullock would have some drive extending plays in the second quarter leading to a Storm touchdown. Bullock picked up a first down with his legs on an eight yard run. This set up back-to-back connections with Jovohn Tucker, one resulting in a seven yard touchdown pass. Franklin Pierce would go on to score quickly at the end of the second quarter. The Storm went into halftime down 20-7.
Ian Scanell would get the Storm on the board again in the third quarter with a 36 yard field goal, bringing the score to 26-10. Both teams would go back and forth with good defense stalling each offensive drive. At the end of the third quarter the Storm were still trailing just 26-10.
Lake Erie's defense was poised in the second half only allowing six total points for the rest of the contest. The Storm shut down the Ravens offense for much of the second half, showing great promise for the remainder of the season. The Storm forced Franklin Pierce into three turnovers on downs and three punts on the day.
On offense,
Xeavier Bullock ended the game going 9/22 for 192 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, his longest completion was for 54 yards.
Keed Kpoto led the way on the ground for the Storm with 92 yards on 12 carries, with an average of 7.6 yards per carry and a long of 44 yards!
Jovohn Tucker led the way for Lake Erie's air attack with 5 receptions for 102 yards and the lone touchdown for the Storm.
Koraun Perdue also added 54 yards on the day.
Defensively,
Cameron Prater led the Storm with 7 total tackles on the day with 4 being solo and 1 tackle for loss.
Cameren Grodhaus had 6 total tackles while also bringing in 4 solo tackles in the day.
Jorge Sanchez added 6 total tackles as well with 1 solo, and 1 tackle for loss.
The Storm return to action when they travel to Marquette, Michigan to take on the Northern Michigan Wildcats at 1 PM, on Saturday, September 9. They return home on Saturday, September 16, to take on the University of Findlay on Military Appreciation Night.
