By Logan Moyer, Assistant Sports Editor
Following a thrilling 38-35 win over SUNY Cortland, the River Hawks have been ranked #15 in the latest D3football.com poll. SUNY Cortland, previously ranked #10, is now ranked #18.
The River Hawks (3-0) had previously been ranked #22 since the beginning of the season.
“Rankings mean nothing for the playoffs,” said SU coach Tom Perkovich. “For me, it’s a feeling of just being proud of what we built as a program and the consistency in our program. This is the fourth straight year we’ve been ranked in the top 20 and the fifth straight year we’ve been ranked at some point. So, when you’re putting that together and have consistency, I think (the ranking) says a lot about who you are, the process you go through and the type of people you have in your program.”
After opening the season with three straight road games, each over three hours away from campus, the River Hawks will finally return home on Saturday to host Western New England in the final non-conference game of the season. It is the first ever meeting between the two sides.
“I think it’s going to feel amazing (to be back home),” Perkovich said. “You know, get in front of the home crowd for the first time this year. I think that’s something hopefully we can feed off.”
Western New England is 2-1 on the season. They opened their campaign with a 28-14 loss to crosstown-rivals Springfield before blowout 46-0 and 42-21 wins over Westfield State and St. Lawrence, respectively. They were ranked 2nd in the Commonwealth Coast Conference’s preseason coaches’ poll.
The Golden Bears are scoring 34 points per game while allowing just 16. They’re led offensively by dual-threat QB Conrad Swanson, who has 418 passing yards and 191 rushing yards in the season. He has also found the endzone seven times.
“I think we have to start (the game) fast,” Perkovich said. “I think we have an advantage up front on both sides of the ball.”
The following week, the River Hawks will kick off the inaugural season of Landmark football when they host Catholic.