By Rachael Cataldo, Asst. Sports Editor
Senior linebacker Connor Thompson made 10 tackles and added an interception as the Susquehanna football team defeated McDaniel in a 20–3 victory on Saturday, Nov. 3. in Westminster, Maryland.
“This defense is full of talent and we reach our full potential when we execute the game plan and that’s exactly what we did against McDaniel,” Thompson said.
Following a three-and-out by each team, the River Hawks (6– 3, 5–3) scored on a drive started by senior quarterback Nick Brotzman and capped off by junior running back Aaron Speight.
Brotzman completed passes to sophomore wide receiver Kyle Good and junior wide receivers Mikah Christian and Mitch Carsley to put the ball on the McDaniel six-yard line. Speight then rushed into the end zone to give the River Hawks an early 7–0 lead.
Neither team was able to score for the remainder of the first quarter, but Susquehanna dominated defensively and made big plays.
Thompson, alongside junior linebackers Craig Roumes and David Simpson, all made tackles for losses in the quarter and held McDaniel to just 40 total yards.
The Green Terror scored a field goal at the start of the second quarter to get on the board, but the Susquehanna offense quickly answered.
The River Hawks started a nine play, 69-yard drive with 7:34 to go in the second quarter.
Junior running back Torey Brown gained 17 yards with four consecutive carries to begin the drive. After an incomplete pass on third down, Thompson changed sides of the ball with his interception and carried it for 22 yards.
Brotzman capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Frank DePaola to bring the score to 14–3.
McDaniel had a lengthy drive of its own, but Thompson had an interception with 13 seconds left in the half.
The third quarter began similarly to the way the second quarter ended. McDaniel had lengthy drive and Thompson came up with a key defensive play to prevent the Green Terror (3–6, 2–6) from scoring thanks to a turnover on downs.
“Obviously it feels great to have the interception and the sack, but at the end of the day I am just glad to get the victory and keep our playoff hopes alive,” Thompson said.
The third quarter continued without a touchdown by either team, but the Susquehanna defense shined once again.
Junior defensive lineman Kashief Hyatt, senior defensive back Jason Brougham and junior linebacker Cole Dixon all made tackles in the quarter.
Senior defensive back Ricky Reyes intercepted a deep ball thrown by McDaniel. Brotzman and Carsley connected on a 58- yard pass to put the ball deep in McDaniel territory.
Speight recorded four consecutive runs followed by a two-yard touchdown run by Brotzman. Susquehanna took a 20–3 lead.
The defense recorded two impressive stops around a long offensive drive and the team secured a 20–3 victory.
Thompson led the team with 10 tackles, followed by Dixon’s seven, and junior cornerback Danial Shelton’s six.
Speight recorded 72 rushing yards while Carsley led the team with 105 yards.
The River Hawks return to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10 against Juniata on Senior Day at Amoz Alonzo Stagg Field.
According to Brotzman, “[The team will] unfortunately will not be able to get a bid for the NCAA playoffs, but with its win at McDaniel and hopefully against Juniata this Saturday we will get a bowl game,” Brotzman said. “I want to send our senior class out on a second straight bowl victory and end our last season on five-game win streak.”
