By Christian Vetrone, Contributing Writer
Photo Courtesy of Theodore Wolfe
The Susquehanna football team earned a hard-fought victory over the Franklin and Marshall Diplomats on Saturday, Sept 11 30-28 in five overtimes at Shadek Stadium in Lancaster, Pa..
The first quarter didn’t produce much offense for either team, but the Susquehanna defense came out hot picking off the Diplomats’ quarterback Logan Clouse. Junior cornerback David Gilchrist recorded the first interception of the season for the River Hawks.
“It was definitely something to be happy about. Getting that turnover for the offense put them in a better position to put points on the board before halftime,” Gilchrist said.
Susquehanna would put up another three-sack day for the second week in a row. The first sack would come in the second quarter when sophomore Will Cardew, and junior defensive lineman Dahmir Barefield combined to sack Clouse.
Barefield sacked Clouse again in the third quarter for a 4-yard loss. The third sack was recorded by senior linebackers Brendan Krumenacker and Craig Roumes.
“Nothing too special, I was just locked into the game plan and tried to execute as best as I could, I knew if I did that there would be plays for me to make.” Roumes said
Roumes added nine tackles on the day while also recording two tackles for loss, while junior defensive lineman Cameron Noble also had nine tackles on the day.
The River Hawks struck first in the second quarter on a 10 play, 71-yard drive. Senior quarterback Michael Ruisch started the Susquehanna drive with a six-yard pass to senior wide receiver Kyle Good. Ruisch ran for a one-yard gain up to Diplomats’ 17-yard line. On the next play after a River Hawk timeout Ruisch ran for a 17-yard touchdown. Senior kicker Elijah Hoffman’s extra-point was good. Susquehanna entered the half leading 7-0.
The Diplomats scored first in the second half on a 29-yard touchdown from Clouse to wide receiver Jack O’Hearn. The Diplomats scored two more times in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from Clouse to Will Higson for 16-yards and a 19-yard touchdown run by Jermaine Conyer. F&M went up 21-7.
Susquehanna exploded in the second half of the fourth quarter when they scored on drives of 99 and 47 yards. At 10:19 left in the fourth Ruisch started the drive with a completion to Good for 32-yards up to their own 48-yard line. Ruisch then did it with his legs when he rushed for 3 yards and 47 yards up to the F&M two-yard line. Junior running back Frankie Negrini finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown. Franklin and Marshall were up 21-14 at that point.
On Susquehanna’s final drive of the fourth quarter, they started on the Diplomats’ 47-yard line. Ruisch completed his first pass of the drive when he connected with sophomore wide receiver Eddie Nugent for a 16-yard gain up to the Diplomats’ 31. Ruisch connected with senior wide receiver Samuel Darrell for a 31-yard touchdown. Susquehanna tied the game up 21-21.
On the very last play of the game F&M kicker Jack Rodenberge had his 50-yard field goal attempt blocked by sophomore defensive back Craig Lyttleton.
During overtime in college football both teams are granted possession starting from their opponents’ 25-yard line. If there is still a tie after the second overtime period, all drives become two-point conversions.
The first period was scoreless but during the second overtime Susquehanna scored first, to go up 24-21 after Ruisch and the offense set up kicker Elijah Hoffman with a 31- yard field goal. Franklin and Marshall would answer back with their very own 40-yard field goal by Rodenberge.
“This is a talented team! Even through ups and downs throughout the game, everyone left it all out on the field. Our offense did a great job converting on every opportunity that was given. Our defense did an incredible job stopping their momentum, resulting in a big field goal block. The coaches did a great job calling the right plays and the players just got it done. It was a big team win.” Gilchrist later said.
F&M scored on their first possession of the third overtime with a pass from Clouse to Higson. Susquehanna answered back with a pass from Ruisch to senior tight end Michael Lefever.
Clouse tried to hit Higson again, but the attempt failed. Susquehanna responded with a successful rush attempt by Negrini to win the game.
Susquehanna is on the road again when they travel to Bethlehem, Pa to play the Moravian Greyhounds on Sept. 18.
