Photos Courtesy of Susquehanna Athletics
By Marquis Frias, Sports Editor
Bezy Nwanonyiri’s 65 yard return touchdown from a blocked field goal helped the River Hawks seal a 23-17 overtime win over Union in Week one this past Saturday in Schenectady, N.Y.
“That was probably one of the wilder games that I’ve been affiliated with,” Susquehanna Head Coach Chris Pincince said after his first game as head coach.
The game started with Susquehanna (1-0) gaining early momentum, as senior linebacker Vin Raniero intercepted a pass from Union (0-1) quarterback Cole Brisson, which was only Brisson’s second pass of the game.
The turnover gave the River Hawks perfect field position on their opening drive of the season. Susquehanna went on to march down the field to the doorstep of the Union goal line. That’s when disaster struck for the River Hawks, as senior quarterback Tommy Wright fumbled the ball on the 1 yard line, which was later recovered by senior cornerback Matt Mitchell for Union.
After both teams turned the ball over on their first drive of the season, the two teams would trade drives that lead to punts. One drive ended with a missed field goal attempt by Susquehanna’s Cohen Hoover which kept the score tied 0-0 in the first quarter.
First blood would finally be drawn by Union late in the second quarter after a field goal from Union’s Francesco Pileggi gave the Garnet Chargers a 3-0 lead after an unentertaining first half.
After the two teams came out of the locker rooms for the second half, it was obvious that the intensity picked up for both teams as the game was still for anyone’s taking.
Union took advantage of this by scoring the game’s first touchdown late in the third quarter when Brisson found Owen Corrigan for a 15-yard touchdown to give Union a 10-0 lead.
Wright and the Susquehanna offense were quick to respond in the opening of the fourth quarter however, with Wright finding junior Reese Gaughan for a 34-yard touchdown to make it a one score game.
Both teams would trade multiple possessions after the touchdown that led to nothing, still keeping the door open for either team.
Susquehanna was looking to hopefully take the lead on one drive, until disaster struck again with Wright throwing an interception to Union cornerback Trey Rezendes, who took it back for a 44-yard pick six.
The amazing defensive put Union up 17-7, while also taking away all the Susquehanna momentum. The River Hawks were able to respond the following drive as Hoover was able to knock in a 23 yard field goal to bring the game back to a seven point game with 5:13 left in regulation.
Union’s following drive saw them move the ball for only a net gain of 18 yards but burn almost four minutes of precious time for Susquehanna. The River Hawks were able to force a punt, but after a muffed catch, the ball would be downed at the Susquehanna 8 yard line; meaning Susquehanna would have to march 92 yards down field for a chance at tying the game.
A near impossible task that Wright and the Susquehanna offense made look easy with beautiful game and clock management in the final minute and 36 seconds. Wright completed 5-7 of his passes on the final drive, including a 34-yard touchdown to Gaughan with seconds left in regulation for his second touchdown of the game.
After Hoover put the ball through the uprights on the point after try, the score was knotted up 17-17, leaving the home Union crowd in shock.
Only one drive occurred in overtime, as the Garnet Chargers won the toss and elected to receive. After Susquehanna was able to force a three and out, Union’s kicking team would trot onto the field to attempt a 40 yard field goal, hoping to make it a three point game.
Instead, Susquehanna’s Jaydon Handy would come off the right edge and get a hand on the kick. As the ball scrambled behind the play, Nwanonyiri would pick up the ball and take it to the house for a 65-yard touchdown, sealing the River Hawks comeback win.
Wright finished the game going 20-45 with 305 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception, with his counterpart Brisson recording 141 passing yards while going 18-33, a touchdown and three interceptions in the dramatic week one game.
“His performance is going to dictate whether or not we’re a good offense, whether we score points, that’s just the nature of a quarterback,” Pincince said. “He’s certainly talented enough, made some plays in those last two drives… but he needs more experience since this was only his second start.”
Gaughan finished as the top receiver for Susquehanna with three receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns, with Carter McCauley also racking up two receptions for 34 yards.
The River Hawks defensively also claimed three turnovers, with Eric Spears snatching two interceptions in the win. Raniero also recorded an interception on the first drive of the game.
Susquehanna will travel again to Bridgewater, V.A. to take on Bridgewater College on Saturday, Sept 12 at 12:00 p.m.