By Evin Caswell, Staff Writer
The Susquehanna football team upset the No. 7 ranked John Hopkins University 28- 27 after a last-minute drive capped off by sophomore quarterback Michael Ruisch connecting with junior wide receiver Frank DePaola for a touchdown on Sept. 14 in Baltimore, Md.
The victory marks the first time Susquehanna has beaten John Hopkins two consecutive times since the schools started playing each other in 1941.
“We had to take it play by play, and simply execute what we had practiced all week,” Ruisch said.
With 12:19 left in the fourth, Johns Hopkins led 24- 7. Ruisch led Susquehanna 77 yards down the eld, ending with a 45-yard touchdown to senior wide receiver Mikah Christian to bring the River Hawks within 10 points.
Susquehanna’s defense was quick to get the ball back into Ruisch’s hands, holding John Hopkins to a three and out.
Ruisch and the Susquehanna offense then wasted no time getting back down the eld. A 99-yard drive by the River Hawks was finished off with a 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Xavier Briggs-DeVore.
After a John Hopkins drive ending in a field goal, the River Hawks were down 27-21 with two minutes remaining.
Ruisch completed his first three passes of the next drive, which led to a pass interference call that moved the River Hawks up to the John Hop- kins’ 48-yard-line.
After a seven-yard run by Briggs-DeVore, junior running back Da’Avian Ellington rushed for 12 yards, bringing the River Hawks to the John Hopkins 29-yard line.
An 18-yard catch by De- Paola set up Susquehanna for the game winning play, an 11- yard throw from Ruisch to De- Paola to tie the game at 27-27.
Sophomore kicker Elijah Hoffman then made the extra point to give the River Hawks the lead with eight seconds left. The game ended on a forced fumble by senior line- backer Cole Dixon.
“The win was great and one of the best games I have ever been involved in,” Susquehanna head coach Tom Perkovich said. “I am very proud of how our guys came together and over- came an adverse situation. They are a great group to coach.”
Ruisch threw for 287 yards, completing 26 of 45 passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions. DePaola caught eight passes for 95 yards and one touchdown.
The River Hawks will be back in action and will look to improve their record to 3-0 with Centennial Conference game at 1 p.m. on Sept. 21 against Muhlenburg College in Allentown, Pa.