PAINESVILLE, Ohio – The Lake Erie College football team looks to get back to .500 on the season when it welcomes Thomas More University to Jack Britt Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
What: Lake Erie College (3-4, 1-4 G-MAC) vs. Thomas More University (1-6, 1-4 G-MAC)
When: Saturday, October 24, 2 p.m.
Where: Painesville, Ohio (Jack Britt Memorial Stadium)
Game Coverage: Live Stats |
Live Video
Inside the Series …
Saturday marks just the fifth meeting between the Storm and Saints on the gridiron. Lake Erie's lone win in the previous four meetings came last season, when the Storm prevailed 21-15. The first matchup between the two programs took place in 2018, with the Saints earning a 44-0 victory. After a four-year hiatus, the series resumed in 2023.
Scouting the Saints …
The Saints have struggled on both sides of the ball this season, ranking ninth in the G-MAC in scoring offense (11.3 points per game) and scoring defense (33.7 points allowed per game). However, Thomas More upset No. 25 Walsh, 24-21, on October 3 for its lone win of the season. The Saints have struggled to stop the run, surrendering a conference-high 174.1 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Ben Chesser has thrown eight touchdown passes but has been intercepted 14 times. Toto Luani ranks 11th in the conference with 48 tackles.
Last Time Against the Saints …
The Storm used a 69-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to secure a 21-15 road victory. Lake Erie was limited to 262 yards of total offense, but the defense stood tall, recording three sacks and forcing two turnovers, including the game-winning scoop-and-score.
Kemari Ward led the Storm with seven tackles, while
Anthony Anderson added an interception. Offensively,
Julian Means-Flewellen rushed for 65 yards on 15 carries.
Statistically Close…
Statistically, the Storm have been nearly identical on both sides of the ball this season. Lake Erie has scored 19 touchdowns while allowing 19. The Storm average 19.0 points per game and surrender 20.8 points per contest. Lake Erie has totaled 842 rushing yards while allowing 798. The Storm have recorded 117 first downs compared to 130 for their opponents. Lake Erie has run 441 plays, while opposing offenses have run 439.
Moving On Up …
Redshirt senior
Hakeem Quran has totaled 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks, moving into sixth place in the G-MAC in rushing at 54.6 yards per game. Quran is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and has four rushing touchdowns this season. He trails teammate
Julian Means-Flewellen, who ranks third in the conference with 64.3 rushing yards per game.
Stay Out of Hewlett's House …
Jason Hewlett has been one of the G-MAC's top playmakers on defense this season, leading the conference with five interceptions and adding a fumble recovery. His five interceptions rank second nationally, while his 97 interception-return yards rank seventh in the country. The Youngstown, Ohio, native opened his Lake Erie career with a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown against Saint Anselm in Week One. He has recorded at least one interception in four of the Storm's seven games this season.
Get Back to Even …
A victory on Saturday would give the Storm a 4-4 record, marking the first time Lake Erie would have a .500 record or better through eight games since 2021, when the team finished 5-6. The only other time the program achieved that mark before 2021 was in 2009, when the Storm finished 7-4.
Sack Master …
Quinterrius Jemison continues to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, ranking fourth nationally with seven sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. His efforts have resulted in 46 yards lost for opposing offenses this season. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native has recorded at least one tackle for loss in six of the Storm's seven games and has registered a sack in four different contests.
