By Logan Moyer, Assistant Sports Editor
Susquehanna football coach Tom Perkovich never again wants to experience what he felt on Nov.19, 2022.
Following their undefeated regular season and Centennial Conference championship, the River Hawks were awarded with home-field advantage in the first round of the NCAA playoffs – though that did not seem to matter when Utica came to the ‘Grove and promptly defeated the River Hawks 17-10. This ended SU’s first trip to the national playoffs since 2009.
“(I was) disappointed, embarrassed,” Perkovich said. “All of the above, probably. I thought we let an opportunity slip away.”
It would be easy to feel déjà vu.
This year, the River Hawks – ranked as the no. 9 team in the nation by D3football.com – have once again gone undefeated in the regular season, outscoring opponents 412-129 on their way to the inaugural Landmark Conference championship.
They’ve been rewarded with a home-field advantage in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, where they’ll host Grove City College. The game will be at 12 p.m. on Saturday at Doug Arthur Stadium.
The Wolverines, champions of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), also boast an undefeated record. They were voted fourth in the PAC’s preseason poll but overcame the odds to knock off favorites Carnegie Mellon and Washington & Jefferson to claim the title. Saturday will be their first appearance in the NCAA playoffs.
Grove City is scoring 35.4 points per game while allowing 13.8. Sophomore linebacker Ben Bladel has been a monster defensively for the Wolverines, recording 15 total sacks – including six in the last two games. Bladel is tied for second in the nation in total sacks.
“They’re a very good football team,” Perkovich said of Grove City. “They’re big, they’re physical. They’ve got some problematic players, especially (Bladel) on defense.”
The Susquehanna offense has operated quite well this season. It is led by sophomore quarterback Josh Ehrlich, who has passed for 1472 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also ran for 887 yards and eight touchdowns. Ehrlich’s top target has been junior wideout Kyle Howes, connecting 58 times for a total of 780 yards. Howes scored three touchdowns in last week’s win over Lycoming.
“I thought we did some good things (against Lycoming),” Perkovich said. “Josh had some opportunities. Hit a few, didn’t hit a few, but I think it’s okay.”
Controlling the pace
The River Hawk defense has been opportunistic, to say the least. It is currently ranked fifth in the nation in fumbles recovered (12) and seventh in overall turnover margin (16). Senior defensive back Keith Green III has led the way, recovering four fumbles and intercepting one pass.
“Everyone is good when you get to the playoffs,” Perkovich said. “It is very difficult to win. So, every little bit matters.”
Perkovich said the defense will be without standout linebacker Garrett Carter, who suffered an MCL sprain in the Oct. 21 game against Wilkes.
SU is first in the nation in time of possession with an average of 36 minutes per game – something heavily aided by the defenses’ ability to force turnovers. SU’s defense has played the least downs of any team in the nation.
“(The defense) has to obviously get off the field and (the offense) has to stay on it,” Perkovich said. “If you are getting first downs, then you are going to crush people in time of possession and get your defense the rest they need.”
Looking forward
Should the River Hawks win their first NCAA playoff game since 1991, they will play the winner of Endicott and Cortland in the second round. Cortland should be a familiar name for SU fans – the River Hawks defeated the Red Dragons 38-35 earlier this season on a game-winning 32-yard field goal by Christian Colasurdo as time expired.
The winner of that game would likely draw reigning national runner-up Mount Union in the quarterfinals. Susquehanna’s team would have faced the Purple Raiders in the second round last year had they beaten Utica. Mount Union defeated the Pioneers 45-7 in the second round last season.
