For a second straight week, Mercyhurst had chances in the fourth quarter to score inside their opponent's red zone. Once again though, the Lakers were left short on touchdowns as they fell to 0-2 with a 24-20 loss to Tiffin.

"We got to put the ball in the end zone," said Mercyhurst head coach Marty Schaetzle. "That's two weeks in a row that we had two opportunities to score touchdowns and we're not coming through right there."

Mercyhurst trailed 24-17 early in the fourth quarter with the ball inside the Tiffin five-yard line. The Lakers got to within a yard of tying the game before a chop block penalty put Mercyhurst in third and long. They were unable to convert and settled for a field goal to pull the score to 24-20.

"Base off of last week and this week, just pounding it in on the goal line," said Mercyhurst running back Garrett Owens on improving the offense. "We just got to convert. When we get up to the goal line, just pound it in."

With the way, Garrett Owens opened the game the offense seemed as if it would have no issues scoring. Owens was able to take the first play of scrimmage 63 yards for an opening touchdown.

Tiffin's Nick Watson was able to maneuver the Dragons back down the field just four minutes later to tie the game up at seven through the first quarter of play.

Garrett Owens then provided a highlight real play to put Mercyhurst back up by seven. The redshirt freshman back caught a pass with one hand then finished the play with a leap over a defender and into the end zone.

Just like they did in the first, Tiffin's Watson found a receiver for a long toss to tie the game at 14 as the teams headed to the half.

After trading third quarter field goals, the difference in the game came from Tiffin running back Tylan Rice. He took a midfield carry and dashed his way 50 yards for the score to make it 24-17.

Even with miscues at the goal line though, Mercyhurst had its chance with just a little over a minute to play. The Lakers started at their own 11. quarterback Doug Altavilla and the offense were unable to put anything together and drive the field for a game-winning drive.

"We just can't shoot ourselves in the foot at the end of the day," said Altavilla. "We got to really focus in on those details, keep getting good at the things were good at and fix the things that we're bad at and really focus in on those things and capitalize there."

Mercyhurst remains home for another week as they get set to welcome in Bloomsburg next Saturday to Tullio Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.