Gannon dropped to 3-5 after losing, 35-7, at Indiana (Pa.) today.

The Knights had beaten the Crimson Hawks the past two seasons. Gannon (3-5, 2-3 PSAC West) has already matched its loss total from a season.

Gannon has finished 6-5 the last two seasons. Next week, the Knights play at Clarion before closing out PSAC West play at home against PSAC West leader Slippery Rock.

Cathedral Prep graduate Javon Rowan had four catches for 111 yards and a touchdown for IUP (5-2, 4-1) today. The senior receiver has had a touchdown catch in each of his last two games.

Rowan also had four punt returns for 39 yards against Gannon.

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In a continuing series of Q&As with local players who are playing area college football, Duane Rankin caught up with Indiana (Pa.) senior strong safety Andre Henderson to talk about several topics.

A Strong Vincent graduate, Henderson has returned from a serious right arm injury that cost him the 2010 season and is having a big senior year for IUP (4-2, 3-1), which faces Gannon (3-4, 2-2) in a 1 p.m. PSAC West game at George P. Miller Stadium in Indiana.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Henderson returned a blocked field goal 83 yards for a touchdown in IUP’s 38-7 win against Clarion last week. This season, Henderson has 34 total tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. Talking to Henderson on the phone this week, Rankin asked the playmaking safety about his 83-yard return, coming back from injury and new IUP coach Curt Cignetti

When was the last time you ran 83 yards for a touchdown? Ah man. I had to have been in a uniform playing for Strong Vincent. Against Thomas Jefferson in the Western finals. It’s been that long. Back in 2005.”

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Junior Tim Reynolds and the Knights travel to Indiana (Pa.) for Saturday's PSAC West game against the Crimson Hawks./ETN file photo.

When Gannon straps it up for Saturday’s 1 p.m. PSAC West game at Indiana (Pa.), junior right tackle Tim Reynolds said the Knights can’t play the Crimson Hawks’  “game.”

“They like to play after the whistle,” That can get us in trouble. Got me in trouble last week (against Lock Haven). I think that’s the hardest part.”

The Knights (3-4, 2-2) have won their last two games against IUP (4-2, 3-1) after losing their first game ever against the Crimson Hawks when they joined the PSAC before the 2008 season.

“There is always a chance after the tackle is made or after the touchdown is made for someone on the opposing team to come and basically try to get in your head,” Reynolds said. “Whether it’s putting words in your ear. Putting hands in your face.

“There is always that opportunity for the other team to try and one up what they did the last play. Try and get in your head that way so you’re flustered going into the next play and not thinking clear. From what I’ve experienced the last two years playing them, it’s certainly not far from what they do.”

Reynolds said the IUP-Gannon game has become a rivalry.

“Just like with Mercyhurst, beating them the past two years, it’s a rivalry,” Reynolds said. “For some reason, we like to step up for games like this. I’m hoping for the third  year in a row we can do it again. I know we’re going into their house, which is always hostile territory. They love their football team, but this is something I want for our seniors.”

Third-year center Steve Reinhardt has started all 18 career games he's played at Mercyhurst College.

In a continuing series of Q&As with local players who are playing local college football, Duane Rankin caught up with Mercyhurst College sophomore center Steve Reinhardt to talk about several topics.

An Bradford graduate, Reinhardt started in the 12 games he played for the Lakers as a redshirt freshman to help Mercyhurst win the 2010 PSAC title game and make its first ever trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

This season, Reinhardt has started all six games for the Lakers (3-3, 1-2), who head into Saturday’s PSAC West game against rival Edinboro (4-2, 1-2) having lost their last two games.

Talking to Reinhardt after a practice this week, Rankin asked the 6-foot, 2-inch 270-pound center about Mercyhurst’s current losing skid, wearing an Under Armour head band to keep his hair in place and sharing an apartment with teammates.

Make room for the futon.

How has it been for you being a starter as a freshman, having that year of experience and playing this season? “It’s nice to get that year under your belt. You’re more comfortable going out for each game because you’ve done it before. You kind of know what to expect. It’s not as bad as the previous year.”

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Tapscott missed today's game with an injury./ETN file photo.

Gannon was without redshirt freshman Daniel Tapscott for today’s PSAC West game at No. 15-ranked California (Pa.). The Knights (2-4, 1-2) lost, 33-6, to the Vulcans (5-1, 3-0).

Tapscott was coming off a three-touchdown performance in last week’s 30-27 win at rival Mercyhurst College, but during that game, he took a hit on his right hand or arm.

After that game, Tapscott was asked about it, but brushed it off by saying he was alright.

Apparently he wasn’t.

In his place, redshirt freshman Ty Watson made his first career start and went 15-of-28 for 155 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and was sacked six times by the Vulcans.

The crazy thing about this is Gannon, Edinboro and Mercyhurst all started new quarterbacks today.

Edinboro started true freshman Ty Stoldt in today’s 24-23 loss to Slippery Rock for sophomore Cody Harris, who was out from a concussion he sustained last week at Indiana (Pa.).

Mercyhurst started third-year sophomore Anthony Vendemia in today’s 35-28 overtime loss to IUP for senior Travis Rearick, who had a season-ending knee injury last week against Gannon.

Dustin Galich has 25 total tackles this season for Mercyhurst College./ETN file photo.

Credit big bro.

Before games, Mercyhurst College sophomore defensive end, Dustin Galich, applies black paint underneath his eyes that by the end of the game is running off his face from him sweating.

Why?

Thank his older brother, Nick Galich, for inspiring Dustin to dawn the war paint.

“I played football with my brother at McDowell (High),” Dustin Galich said. “I saw him do it when I was younger and I was going to copy him. So I do straight across (the bottom of his eyes) down to the little (beard) that I have. I saw him always do it.”

Nick attends Edinboro, but does not play football.

“He’s in the education program just living the dream,” Dustin Galich said.

Mercyhurst (3-2, 1-1) will try to bounce back from a 30-27 homecoming loss torival  Gannon in Saturday’s PSAC Weset game against Indiana (Pa.). The Crimson Hawks (2-2, 1-1) are coming off a 19-0 win against No. 25-ranked Edinboro.

Here’s a video preview of Saturday’s noon PSAC West game between Indiana (Pa.) and Mercyhurst College.

Mercyhurst College produced the video.

The Lakers (3-2, 1-1) are coming off a 30-27 homecoming loss to rival Gannon in which their starting quarterback, Travis Rearick, had a season-ending knee injury while IUP (2-2, 1-1) is coming off a 19-0 home win against No. 25-ranked Edinboro.

Last season, Mercyhurst edged IUP, 28-27.