ERIE — Stewart Myers opted for Mercyhurst College because the school was a "good fit."

The 2007 Seneca Valley graduate may have found good timing as well.

A sophomore defensive end for the Lakers, Myers is starting for a Mercyhurst football team looking to post the program's first winning season since 1997.

"Everything about this place seemed perfect for me,"Myers said. "They play a 35 defense, which I love, and the business program is very good."

The winning — Mercyhurst is 3-2 overall, 2-0 in the PSACWest entering this Saturday's game vs. Lock Haven — is turning out to be a bonus.

"I knew I had a chance to play right away if I came up here,"the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Myers said. "I wanted to be part of building a successful program.

"It seems to be happening sooner than anyone expected."

Mercyhurst is among the top teams in NCAADivision IIin time of possession, keeping the ball for 36 minutes per game.

In last Saturday's 34-10 win over Slippery Rock University, the Lakers held the ball for 37 minutes and ran 25 more plays than The Rock.

"Playing defense when you have an offense like that makes life so much easier,"Myers said. "We're always fresh and always ready."

Myers saw action in eight games as a freshman last year, recording 10 tackles. He had three tackles and a sack in a 45-31 loss to Northern Michigan.

But Mercyhurst finished 4-7 in 2007, a scenario all too familiar to Myers. Seneca Valley lost 33 of 40 games during his four years of high school football.

Despite the poor record, Myers' ability was noticed by college recruiters. He received offers from Patriot League schools in Division I-AAand PSACschools before deciding on Mercyhurst.

Now the Lakers are part of the PSACand Myers couldn't be happier.

"I'm excited about being able to play a lot more games closer to home,"he said. "Before I'm done here, we have a very real shot at winning this league."

Injuries have plagued Myers since he's been in college. A knee injury got him off to a slow start last year and a pulled chest muscle has hampered his play so far this season.

Myers has five total tackles and 1Z\x quarterback sacks thus far in 2008.

"Stew is going to make an impact as this season progresses," Mercyhurst defensive coordinator John Thompson said. "He's one of our top two defensive ends, along with senior Zac Wild.

"He's already helping out with our younger players, and he's still one of our younger players himself."

Head coach Marty Schaetzle said Myers is one of the most tenacious players on his roster.

"He comes off the ball so well and he plays hard every snap," the coach said. "We know he's not 100 percent yet and we know what's coming.

"That kid will be one of our best defensive players. He's an important factor in the improvement of our defense."

Mercyhurst allowed 38 points per game as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference last season. The Lakers' defense has permitted just 48 points through five games this season.

"We're playing together. It's been true team defense,"Myers said. "It's fun being part of a winning team.

"The best part is thinking about how much better we're going to become each week."

Myers still follows his high school alma mater and isn't surprised by its recent success.

"I knew those (playoff) seasons were coming,"he said. "We got a little better my senior year, winning three games. ... I just happened to be there during the program's building stages.

"Timing is everything."