Box Score

WESTMINSTER, Md. – Susquehanna's offense never got into a rhythm against McDaniel, resulting in a 35-0 road loss on Saturday afternoon in Westminster. Several timely plays by McDaniel combined with a 28-point first half for the Green Terror were key contributors in the Crusaders' loss.

Susquehanna (1-5, 1-5) managed only 198 yards on offense while the Green Terror (4-1, 3-1) racked up 254 yards, 160 of which came on the ground. The Crusaders' defense did limit McDaniel to only 94 yards passing, but Green Terror quarterback Thomas Massucci made what completions he did have count, tossing four touchdowns on the afternoon.

SU quarterback Rich Palazzi went 13-for-25 for 83 yards and one interception before giving way to Matt Lottes and Mark Rosenbaum, who both saw time off the bench as the game's outcome was decided late in the fourth quarter.

The Crusaders did welcome back split end Mike Ritter and defensive standout Jalon Scott from injuries. Ritter caught six balls for 64 yards while Scott had six tackles and three pass breakups.

The game started ominously for SU. The Crusaders received the ball to open the action but were stalled on their first drive. Unfortunately for Susquehanna, Bobby Eppleman's punt was blocked by Nick Bender. Teammate Matt Emerson picked up the ball and ran into the SU endzone for an early, 7-0 McDaniel lead.

The teams traded possessions until late in the quarter when Massucci found Woody Butler for a four-yard touchdown reception and a 14-0 score.

SU turned the ball over on downs and the Green Terror again found the endzone on its ensuing drive, this time a 15-yard Massucci pass to Matt Cahill.

The McDaniel defense forced Susquehanna to punt on the team's next drive and yet again, Eppleman's punt was blocked. The Green Terror recovered the ball and capped off the brief drive with another Massucci TD pass that made it 28-0 with 10:13 remaining in the half.

The Crusaders managed to keep McDaniel off the scoreboard for the remainder of the half, thanks in part to Stephen Homan's sack of Massucci with 2:49 on the clock.

While Susquehanna's offense continued to struggle coming out of halftime, its defense rebounded for a solid second half. Neither team put points on the board until early in the fourth quarter.

With time winding down in the third quarter and in a fourth-and-seven situation, McDaniel punter Chris Kolb faked a punt and found Joe Timpanaro for a 16-yard gain and a fresh set of downs.

Massucci opened the final quarter capping off the 11-play, 66-yard drive with another touchdown pass to Cahill.

That marked the final scoring of the game as none of Susquehanna's final four possessions translated into points.

Next game: Oct. 16 vs. Dickinson – 1 p.m.