LEC eyes end to losing streak

The Lake Erie football team is approaching two years since it won a game, but that’s not first-year coach Reilly Murphy’s concern.

Still, it’s worth noting the Storm’s last victory was in 2017 in a 45-27 win over Kentucky Wesleyan on Sept. 28 of that season.

Since then, it’s been 14 straight losses but after one game this season — albeit a small sample size — it appears the LEC football program is trending up.

“We haven’t really talked about (the losing streak),” said Murphy. “There hasn’t been a true discussion about it.”

Another big test and a chance to end that streak comes Sept. 14.

The Storm welcomes Davenport, a Michigan school from the powerful Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, for a 2 p.m. kickoff at Jack Britt Stadium in Painesville.

Murphy said “on film” Davenport looks even more explosive than his team’s Week 1 opponent Mercyhurst so the challenge to get LEC’s first win of the season is great.

There were positives for Murphy and his staff to take from the team’s 21-16 loss at Mercyhurst on Sept. 5. A year after the defense allowed 402 yards per game and a whopping 47.7 points, the unit held its own by allowing 333 yards and 21 points — and that included a second-half shutout. Murphy won’t rest with competitive losses. The goals are much higher, and it continues against Davenport.

“It was a tough loss (against Mercyhurst), knowing how much a win would have meant to the guys,” said Murphy. “But I also told them, ‘We’re not defined by one game.’ The biggest and best chip we’re going for is getting the ‘W.’ “

There were positives on offense for the Storm in Week 1. Running back Eric Zokouri, a transfer from FCS Monmouth, performed well as the featured back, as he rushed for 117 yards on 20 attempts, including a 36-yard touchdown run.

At quarterback, Javarian Smith — who started the opener — threw for 127 yards on 13 of 20 passing, and freshman Kolston Brewster of Perry came off the bench and led LEC to two scoring drives. Brewster was 7 of 10 passing for 76 yards and threw the first TD pass of his college career in a little more than one quarter of work.

Neither player committed a turnover.

Murphy won’t reveal who his starting QB is for Davenport but said he will inform the players on Sept. 13 who that will be between Smith and Brewster.

“It’s still up in the air,” said Murphy about the QB position. “Competition is still a daily thing. Kolston gave us a boost, but both guys know they are in the game plan. At this point, they understand where we are at. I’m lucky we have two (QBs) that are super engaged and team guys.”