Fordham wins in Moorhead debut

The Joe Moorhead era got off to a fast start with a laugher at Jack Coffey Field last night. The Rams routed Lock Haven 550 in their home opener, giving Moorhead his first win as Fordham’s head football coach.

Moorhead, the first Fordham alum to coach the Rams since Jim Lansing brought the program back to varsity level in 1970, became the first Fordham head coach to win in his debut since Dave Rice in 1975.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling, to be able to come back here to the place where you played ball and got your education and be the head football coach,” Moorhead said. “It was a surreal day capped off by an unbelievable win.”

The game was never close as Lock Haven lost its 43rd straight. Fordham scored on four of its first five drives, with quarterbacks Ryan Higgins and Michael Nebrich scoring two touchdowns each. Higgins was 11for14 with 179 yards and two total touchdowns, one of those rushing. Nebrich’s were rushing touchdowns.

Higgins and Nebrich combined to throw for 265 yards. Together they had a hand in six touchdowns.

The Rams ran exclusively out of the nohuddle offense, with Higgins starting the game before handing the reins to Nebrich for the third series. Nebrich played into the fourth quarter.

“I can’t say I was surprised by the success,” Moorhead said. “We’ve been practicing this sys tem since the first day of spring ball and we stress tempo. ... For the first time operating the system against an opponent, I thought the guys did really well.”

Senior running back Carlton Koonce carried the ball 19 times for 146 yards.Also, preseason AllAmerican kicker Patrick Murray booted a schoolrecord 52yard field goal .