Mercyhurst wins first football game as Division I program. What we learned

So far, so good.

Mercyhurst University's first game in its inaugural football season in NCAA Division I resulted in its first victory. Traveling to D-II Wheeling, West Virginia, the Lakers won 28-25 Thursday night in a contest filled with firsts.

Here's what stood out from a historic Mercyhurst win.

More: How will Mercyhurst football fare in its first Division I season? FCS writers chime in

First D-I TD — Urena to Pytlak

Wheeling opened the game with a touchdown. Mercyhurst's offense soon responded, scoring on its opening drive.

Adam Urena connected with Russell Pytlak for a 10-yard touchdown, Mercyhurst's first as a D-I program.

Lakers post 414 yards of offense

Urena threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns, two going to Cameron Barmore. Mercyhurst's 414 total yards of offense included seven catches for 101 yards by Barmore and a combined 140 rushing yards on 22 attempts by Ernest Davis III and Brian Trobel.

Mercyhurst was 3-for-10 on third down, 1-for-3 on fourth down and boasted 34 minutes, 22 seconds of possession.

Defense stepped up in second half

Mercyhurst led 21-17 at halftime. Its defense surrendered 349 total yards of offense, but it stepped up in a second half that saw Wheeling held scoreless until the game's final minutes.

Tyler Buterbaugh led Mercyhurst with eight total tackles, including one for a loss. Nevan Novitski registered a sack and Joe Dombkowski forced a fumble that Buterbaugh recovered.

First D-I opponent awaits

Another first awaits Mercyhurst Sept. 7: Its first D-I opponent.

The Lakers visit Howard for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Bison lost 44-7 to Rutgers Thursday in their season-opening game.

Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @realjuveino.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Mercyhurst wins first football game as Division I program. What we learned