Defensive lineman looks back on undefeated regular season

By: Abby MacMillan 

The Riverhawks’ season came to an end on Saturday, Nov. 19 after a 17-10 loss to Utica University in the first round of the NCAA DIII National Championships. 

The team ended their season with a 10-1 overall record, an undefeated regular season with a record of 10-0, and their first Centennial Conference title.  

This year’s appearance in the NCAA DIII Football Championship was the first appearance for Susquehanna since 2009.  

But for one player on the team, this year’s season was special to not only himself but for his father also. 

Senior defensive linemen Nick Silenok ended this season with an undefeated record with his teammates and joined his father in being a part of only a few teams in Susquehanna history with an undefeated regular season. 

“It’s truly amazing to see how much hard work and dedication it took to be able to accomplish a feat like this,” Silenok said when asked about the expectations for this season. 

Mr. Silenok, Nick’s father, was on the 1983 team that had an undefeated season, 8-0, and the number one team in the Middle Atlantic Conference. 

Nick Sr. and his teammates did not make it to the playoffs that year. The second place Carnegie-Mellon and number five Salisbury (Md.) State were selected to represent the NCAA southern region over the undefeated Crusaders. 

Despite that upsetting pick Nick Sr. and his teammates were the first unbeaten unit in 21 years. The 2022 Riverhawks are the first team to go undefeated in 36 years. The last team to have an unbeaten season was in 1986. 

When asked about Nick and Nick Sr. being on undefeated teams at Susquehanna Nick said: “I think it’s amazing because my dad taught me everything about football and has been coaching me since I was 5. He taught me the attributes that it takes to contribute to a winning team. I think we’re the first father son duo to win football conferences here at Susquehanna, which is an incredible feat. This is something that is really special to us and will be remembered forever.” 

The 2022 season came to a bittersweet ending for the Riverhawks, but the team has many takeaways from this season to remain positive and be proud of.  

“As a former player, now a parent, to have my son’s team achieve an undefeated season like mine and to experience that feeling together was incredible. They fought through adversity and several injuries to key starters. Guys stepped up and made plays when called upon,” Nick Sr. said when asked about the outcome of this season. 

Along with Silenok, 12 additional players will be graduating. The team will also be losing the six graduate players that came back for this season.  

Next season, the Riverhawks will be competing in the Landmark Conference for the first time. This conference will allow for new opponents and the chance to play for a different conference title.