Laurino and LIU Post Hand Marauders Season Opening Loss

Saturday, September 7

Millersville, PA

12:00 PM

Millersville University

0-1

LIU Post

1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

LIU Post

Millersville

Laurino and LIU Post Hand Marauders Season Opening Loss

9/7/2013 3:22:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Video Highlights

Millersville, Pa. - Millersville quarterback Connor Casey threw for two touchdowns and a young receiving corps flashed promise, but LIU Post's Steven Laurino totaled 347 yards of total offense to spark his team to a 47-16 win over the homestanding Marauders Saturday afternoon.

Millersville (0-1) led early after a high snap sailed over LIU Post (1-0) punter Tim Sternfield and out of the end zone. The 2-0 lead last until the 10:19 mark of the second quarter when Laurino put his team on the board with 48-yard touchdown run. That play got the Pioneer offense rolling. It went on to score three times in the second quarter and finish the game with 515 yards of total offense.

Casey and the Marauder passing game were without senior captain Dominic Sanders, whose 33 consecutive games played streak came to an end because of an ankle injury. Still, Casey threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His favorite target was redshirt freshman Dante Barkley, who impressed in his collegiate debut with eight catches for 86 yards. Brent Collins made a career-high seven catches and also snagged his first touchdown since Oct. 22, 2011. Newcomer Kevin Porter also hauled in his first career touchdown.

Ian Sadon started quickly with 36 yards on five carries in the first quarter, but the Pioneers slowed him over the final three quarters and he finished with 58 yards on 19 totes.

While the Marauder offense was able to move the football, a pair of first quarter fumbles halted promising drives. Laurino and the Pioneers capitalized. Laurino scored a rushing touchdown and connected with Joe Botti from 21 yards out with 5:55 left in the second quarter after two consecutive Millersville three-and-outs.

The Marauders blocked the extra points following both scores, and Casey completed 5-of-7 passes in a nine-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a seven-yard touchdown toss to Collins. That score drew the Marauders to within 12-9.

LIU Post took over with 2:53 left in the first half and quickly marched downfield using a mixture of run and pass. Anthony Brunetti extended the Pioneers' lead with a one-yard plunge.

The LIU Post offense continued the onslaught in the second half, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions.

The Marauders trailed 32-9 when Casey hooked up with Porter from 22 yards with 15 seconds left in the third period.

Millersville's defense was led by Reggie Slaton's nine tackles and one sack. Slaton has recorded a sack in each of the last two season openers. Jordan Rigby broke up two passes to go with seven tackles.

GAME NOTES
Barkley's eight catches were the most by a Marauder freshman since Omar Sanders totaled nine against Bloomsburg in 2003...Saturday was Casey's third career start, and he has thrown for at least 218 yards and a touchdown in each start. He has completed 73-of-129 passes for 763 yards and five touchdowns in those starts...Five of Millersville's offensive players made their first career starts Saturday. Four defensive players made their first career starts, and Gilbert Ramos and Slaton made their first starts at different positions...Millersville dropped to 0-6 all-time against LIU Post...Millersville is now 51-57-9 all-time in season openers and 15-6-2 all-time in openers at Biemesderfer Stadium.