By Pat Delp Staff writer
The Susquehanna football team set a program record on senior day with its 63-34 win over rival Juniata on Nov. 12.
For the second straight year, the River Hawks brought home the coveted Goal Post Trophy. Susquehanna maintains a lead in the all-time rivalry series.
The River Hawks closed out their season with a 6-4 overall record and a 6-3 record in Centennial Conference play, which was third best in the conference.
This season is Susquehanna’s first winning season since 2012, when the team also had a 6-4 record.
Much of Susquehanna’s success can be traced back to its high-powered offense, which put up a program-best 326 points this season, with 42 touchdowns, 39 point-after-touchdowns and 11 field goals.
In addition to the record-breaking season, Susquehanna’s 63 points are its most in a single game since the team put up the same number against Juniata in 1998 in a double overtime win.
Junior running back Cameron Ott led the way on the ground as he racked up 74 of the 214 total River Hawk rushing yards. He added two touchdowns as well.
In the air, sophomore quarterback Nick Crusco threw for 306 passing yards and four touchdowns to lead the River Hawk aerial attack.
Crusco’s favorite target on the day was senior wide receiver Chris Beals who led the River Hawks with 64 yards and a touchdown.
The Susquehanna defense stood strong all day, allowing 119 rushing yards.
The defense also came away with two interceptions. Senior linebacker Marc LeDrappier led the way with six solo tackles and 10 total. Just behind him was freshman cornerback Brandon Tinson who had nine. Junior defensive back Ryan Ganard had eight tackles and sophomore defensive back Jason Brougham had seven.
The defensive stand was a full team effort as Ganard and freshman cornerback Danial Shelton each had one interception in the game.
Juniata did not make it onto the scoreboard until early in the second quarter, while the Susquehanna offense managed at least 14 points in each quarter.
Susquehanna came out gunning, with Crusco finding long touchdown passes on back-to-back drives, the first to freshman wide receiver Nick Pasquin and the second to Ott.
Juniata answered in the second quarter, scoring on back-to-back drives to knot the game at 14.
The tie was short lived as Crusco barrelled into the endzone three minutes later for his lone rushing touchdown of the day to put Susquehanna up by seven.
With 1:42 remaining in the half, Shelton’s interception set the River Hawks up on Juniata’s 19-yard line. Two plays later, Ott found the endzone to give Susquehanna a 14-point cushion at halftime.
In the third quarter, Ott hauled in a 14-yard pass from Crusco, only to be answered by a 19-yard touchdown from Juniata. Then it was Crusco who hauled in a recieving touchdown from junior quarterback Matt Thies, adding to his alread impressive day.
With a 42-21 lead entering the fourth quarter, The River Hawks continued to steamroll, punching in three more touchdowns to punctuate their first winning season since 2012.
The senior players and their families were honored by the athletic department before the game. They leave behind them successful college careers marked with a dominating final performance at home against their bitter rival.
