ALBION, Mich. – Despite a prolific day for the passing combo ofMichael Whitley (So.-Vidalia, La.) to Kezlow Smith (Sr.-Pontiac, Mich.), the Lakeland College football team was unable to keep pace with powerful Albion (Mich.) College in a 47-21 loss Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game.
Whitley passed for 381 yards in just his second collegiate start, while Smith racked up 193 yards receiving in one of the best days for a Muskie receiver in school history. Albion was the more successful team in finishing its drives, though, and improved to 3-0 while the Muskies dropped to 1-1 on the season.
Lakeland saw no less than five drives end in Albion territory either on a turnover or on downs, and it was the difference against a team that has rolled up huge amounts of yardage and points in each of its first three games. Indeed, the Britons gained 572 yards and 40 first downs in the game, though their yardage and points totals actually represented moderate victories for the Muskies defense against a team that entered averaging more than 700 yards and 62.5 points in its first two games.
Lakeland's offense rolled up a more-than respectable 427 yards, most of it through the air. Whitley completed 31 of 51 passes for 381 yards, the most yards passing by a Muskies quarterback since Jake Dworak passed for 392 yards against Benedictine Oct. 24, 2009.
Smith caught 12 passes, and his 193 yards ranks as the fourth-best single-game total for a receiver in school history. Whitley and Smith also connected on a long ball for the second straight week, this time hooking up for an 83-yard touchdown early in the third quarter that cut Albion's lead to 34-14.
The Britons held a big advantage in the game rushing, outgaining Lakeland 322-46 on the ground. Albion's Colin Parks rushed for 169 yards and three scores, while Mike Czarnecki added 116 yards and a score.
Parks scored on two short runs in the first half and then added a third short plunge early in the third quarter that pushed the lead to 34-7. Czarnecki added a rushing touchdown in the third to answer the long touchdown reception by Smith and then caught a touchdown pass later as Albion pushed the lead to 47-14.
The Muskies trailed 27-7 at halftime, with the special teams contributing a score midway through the first quarter.Landon Derginer (Sr.-Marinette, Wis.) had a career day defensively and also made a big play by breaking to block an Albion punt attempt, the third blocked kick of his career. Kevyn Lewis (Jr.-Inkster, Mich.) picked up the ball after the block and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
Lakeland sophomore receiver Dezmen Morse (Wisconsin Dells, Wis.) also provided several highlights, catching a career-best four passes for 72 yards, as well as his first collegiate touchdown reception. Whitley connected with Morse for a 9-yard score late in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring.
Michael Esiobu (Sr.-Chicago, Ill.) and Michael Wynn (Jr.-Detroit, Mich.) also both were targeted frequently by Whitley in the passing game. Esiobu caught six passes for 63 yards, while Wynn hauled in seven passes for 34 yards in his season debut. Eldrada Meeks (Fr.-Southfield, Mich.) led the rushing attack with 24 yards on four carries.
Derginer had a career-high 17 tackles to lead the defense, while Christopher Dickson (Jr.-Griffin, Ga.) added 10 tackles, two passes broken up and a forced fumble.
The game was part of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Challenge event. Albion also improved to 4-1 all-time in the series with Lakeland by winning the first meeting between the teams since 1977.
Lakeland now gets ready for its first home game of the season when it welcomes Carthage College next week. Game time at Taylor Field is 1 p.m., and the game will be part of the Muskies' Homecoming festivities.
Big days for Whitley, Smith not enough for Muskies in loss at Albion
/seasons/2015/boxscores/20150919_ml7l.xml
2015
Lakeland
21
Albion
47
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland (1-1) | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Albion (3-0) | 13 | 14 | 20 | 0 | 47 |
Sep 19, 2015