Maleek Toran (far left) has been in Mercyhurst's shoes./Erie Times-News

Maleek Toran knows what it feels like to be in Mercyhurst’s shoes.

He was a true freshman in 2009 at Edinboro when the Scots needed Gannon to help them get in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

In the final regular-season game, the Knights beat Bloomsburg in overtime, 10-7, to open the  door for Edinboro to play in the postseason.

Today, Mercyhurst needs to beat No. 22-ranked California (Pa.) and have Gannon upset No. 14  Indiana (Pa.) to play in next week’s PSAC title game. The game would be played at Tullio Field as it’s the PSAC West champ’s turn to play host to the title game.

When asked if the Mercyhurst players should call their rival Knights and encourage them to to beat IUP, Toran said the Lakers should pass on that idea.

“I’d probably just let it play out and hope for the best,” said Toran, an Erie native. “If the man upstairs have a playoff berth in store for you, then you’ll get it.”

– Duane Rankin

Scots coach Scott Browning is expected start Erie native Maleek Toran (#26) in place of James Jackson (#11) for Saturday's noon game against No. 22-ranked Indiana (Pa.). Jackson is serving an one-game suspension after being ejected from last week's game./Photo by Christopher Millette/Erie Times-News

EDINBORO – Earlier this week, Edinboro coach Scott Browning said he’ll start Erie native Maleek Toran for Saturday’s key PSAC West game against No. 22-ranked IUP (5-1, 2-1).

A Central Tech graduate, Toran will replace junior cornerback James Jackson, who is serving  one-game suspension after getting ejected from last week’s 44-24 loss to Gannon.

“Right now, Maleek Toran is in that spot,” Browning said. “We’ve got to coach him up.”

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Gannon University and Edinboro Universiy have their share of local athletes who will play in Saturday’s PSAC West rivalry game between the Knights and Scots at Sox Harrison Stadium in Edinboro.

See what Edinboro senior Shawn Walker, who played at General McLane High School, and Gannon senior Ashton Jones, who played at Strong Vincent High School, have to say about that aspect of this game.

Junior reserve nickel back Maleek Toran, far left, is part of a talented Edinboro secondary featuring cornerbacks Branden Williams (22) and James Jackson (11)./ETN file photo

In a continuing series of Q&As with local players who are playing area college football, Duane Rankin caught up with Edinboro junior nickel back Maleek Toran to talk about several topics.

A Central Tech graduate, the 5-foot, 8-inch, 170-pound Toran is part of a very talented secondary that features cornerbacks Branden Williams and James Jackson. A reserve who excels on special teams, Toran will look to help Edinboro (6-2, 3-2 PSAC West) get past winless Lock Haven (0-7, 0-5) Saturday at Sox Harrison Stadium.

The Bald Eagles have the nation’s longest active losing skid at 39 consecutive defeats, which ties a PSAC record for consecutive losses. Talking to Toran this week at Edinboro, Rankin and him about facing Lock Haven, playing on special teams and the state of the athletic program at his high school alma mater, Central Tech.

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