Photo by Logan Moyer
By Logan Moyer
The Stagg Hat Trophy is staying in Selinsgrove.
Quarterback Michael Ruisch accumulated 382 passing yards and tossed five touchdown passes, three of which were to 2021 All-American tight-end Michael Lefever.
Two of Lefever’s touchdown receptions came within the first seven minutes of Saturday’s contest at David Person Field in Williamsport. The first was a short three-yard reception punctuating an eight-play drive, and the second was a 38-yard pass downfield on a play-action play call. The aerial assault continued a few minutes later, with Ruisch finding wideout Jacob Erb open downfield for a 55-yard touchdown pass.
The second quarter was a frustrating one for Lycoming. Following a short kickoff, the Warriors had great field position and a tremendous opportunity to get themselves back into the game, but the Riverhawk defense stood their ground and limited the damage to a field goal. The next drive bore a similar result, with Lycoming settling for a field goal. Yet again later in the quarter, the Riverhawk defense forced another field goal despite the Warriors gaining possession of the football within the Susquehanna redzone. By keeping the Warriors out of the endzone, the Riverhawks maintained their momentum and control of the game.
Also in the quarter, Ruisch threw two more touchdown passes, one to Lefever and the other to Bryce Ellinger, with the latter coming right before the teams entered the locker rooms for halftime.
The second half didn’t bring any significant change in the score line. Lycoming finally found the endzone in the 3rd quarter, but it would be the only points the Warriors would score after halftime. Susquehanna won the game by a score of 45-16.
Ruisch broke his personal passing-yards record, and Lefever was named the Centennial Conference’s player of the week for his performance.
“We’re great friends too off the field,” commented Ruisch. “We put in a lot of work this offseason and during camp to work on our chemistry”
The Riverhawks were the highest non-ranked vote-getter in D3football.com’s national preseason poll. They are now ranked 25th heading into next weekend’s conference and home opener against Franklin & Marshall. Last year’s matchup between these teams was an instant-classic, as it took five overtimes for the Riverhawks to down the Diplomats.