The Gorillas’s defense has struggled at times this year, and they will need to be on their toes to keep up with the Lakers’s lighting quick offense. The Pitt State offense struggled most of all in the first two games, as they seemed to be anemic at the most crucial of times this season. That will have to change this game if the Gorillas want to put their name back into the win column.
“Our process, I don’t think changes from week to week. We’re not playing what our record is, our goal is to go out and win every week and that starts with taking the task at hand,” said head coach Tom Anthony.
It has not been the typical start to a season that many Gorilla fans have come to expect in recent years. The Gorillas set themselves some very lofty expectations to start the season, as they faced the #1 Ferris State, #19 Central Oklahoma, and #3 Grand Valley State to start the season, and through two weeks, they are a lowly 0-2. Fresh on the heels of a tough 34-17 loss at Ferris State, they followed that up with a heartbreaking 24-17 loss on the road against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos.
The team has some optimism that having some of the toughest battles of the season at the start may have been more of an opportunity than a detriment according to junior wide receiver, Greyson Holbert.
“Obviously a great opponent. I think it’s a great way to start a year, going and facing a top team, great opportunity. I think it just came down to executing, unable to make the plays we needed to,” Holbert said after the Gorillas first loss.
Pitt State overcame an early 14-0 deficit against the Bronchos, scoring consecutive touchdowns to tie it up in the third quarter at 24 apiece, but a field goal by the Bronchos would prove to be the final score of the game, as the Gorillas would miss a 23-yard field goal in the last seconds that would have tied it.
Despite the disappointing start to the season, there is still plenty of reason for optimism. The final score of the Ferris State game is misleading, as the Gorillas were within a touchdown in the third quarter before letting the game get away from them. Pitt State likely should have gone to overtime against the Bronchos, as they have an exceptionally good kicker in junior Austin Schmitt. New senior transfer quarterback Jackson Berry has shown some good plays, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for one so far this season.
That is not to say that this first home game will be a walk in the park. The Lakers have been a force to be reckoned with for several seasons now, having defeated the Gorillas back in 2023 in the second round of the playoffs. They are off to an explosive start, having defeated Lincoln University 45-9 in their first game of the season, and defeating Black Hills State last Saturday by a score of 48-36.
The Lakers have yet to play on the road yet, while the Gorillas have yet to play at home, giving Pitt State a greater chance. Both of the Gorillas’ losses came on the road, so they will have to hope that home field advantage plays a big part in the upcoming game.
Offense will be the name of the game for the Lakers, as they have relied on the quick strike nature of their passing game to win. Going down 10-0 early in their second game, Grand Valley responded with 20 points in the second quarter, completely turning around the 10-point deficit in their favor.
Kickoff is at 4 p.m. on Sept. 13, for the Gorillas as they will look to give the Gorilla fans in attendance something to cheer for.