By Tre Shuttlesworth, Staff Writer
The Susquehanna football team ended up on the los- ing side of a thrilling 24-17 matchup against Muhlenberg College that ended in overtime on Sept. 21 in Allentown, Pa.
This was despite a motivated fourth quarter comeback that saw the River Hawks finally draw even at 17-17 in the final seconds after trailing throughout the afternoon. Muhlenberg was able to score a touchdown off a three- yard rush to open overtime and stop Susquehanna from convert- ing on their overtime possession.
The matchup opened with a tame start, with Muhlenberg breaking through with 4:43 left in the opening quarter as senior tight end Ryan Curtiss ended the drive with a two-yard rush. Susquehanna struggled against Muhlenberg’s offense in the first quarter.
Led by sophomore quarter- back Michael Ruisch, Susquehanna had a net gain of 97 yards over the course of their first four drives, even converting three of five first downs. However, three of the drives ended in a punt, while a pass from Ruisch was intercepted on one drive.
Susquehanna came out of the gate strong in the second quarter. The first drive ended with a blocked punt for the River Hawks, but the next drive was halted by a strong defense and a five-yard interception by sophomore safety L’Trell Bradley.
From there, the Susquehanna offense gained enough yards for sophomore kicker Elijah Hoff- man to convert on a 35-yard eld goal, ending the 59-yard drive. The Susquehanna defense then held Muhlenberg to six yards gained over the next two drives, while Ruisch had his second pass intercepted after a 31-yard drive heading into the second half.
The third quarter began with a lengthy Muhlenberg drive, ending with a 17-yard completed pass to Curtiss from junior quarterback Michael Hnatkowsky for their second score on the afternoon. Susquehanna quickly returned the favor, as Ruisch capped off a 59-yard drive with a 14-yard rush for the team’s first touchdown of the game. From there, the River Hawks held Muhlenberg on the next drive to only five yards gained as the contest headed into the fourth quarter.
Susquehanna had little gain on their first drive in the fourth. The Mules followed this drive with a gain of 37 yards, enough for Todd Spirt to score a 35-yard eld to earn a 17-10 advantage.
The River Hawks dropped on their next drive, but the team’s defense then delivered, holding Muhlenberg one yard shy of converting on a fourth and four at the Susquehanna 27- yard line. The game-tying drive for Susquehanna started with an 11-yard first down pass to junior wide receiver Kyle Good.
A gain of yardage on a foul and another clutch connection from Ruisch to Good put Susquehanna 36 yards out. It was a 36- yard pass with 34 seconds left to senior wide receiver Mikah Christian that led to the game tying touchdown, with help from Hoffman’s PAT conversion.
Overtime started with a Muhlenberg position, as the squad took momentum of the match with a 19-yard rush from Hnatkowsky.
Susquehanna struggled to start overtime, getting help from a pass interference call to force a first down deep in Mules territory. A sack then put Ruisch at fourth and 11.
The Susquehanna defense had 62 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception as they held Muhlenberg to season low passing and rush- ing yards of 159 and 89 yards apiece. Muhlenberg returned the favor to hold the River Hawks to 253 passing yard and 91 rushing yards for season lows.
The River Hawks had some strong individual performances in the game as well. Ruisch completed 23 of 36 passes with 242 total yards on the after- noon with one touchdown and one interception. Sophomore running back Xavier Briggs- De Vore had the highest rush- ing average at 5.9 yards per attempt and one touchdown.
The River Hawks will next take on the undefeated Franklin and Marshall College at 1 p.m. on Sept. 28 in Selinsgrove, Pa.
