BETHLEHEM, PA (September 18, 2021) -- The Susquehanna University football team had no issues Saturday after last week's five-overtime thriller at Franklin & Marshall University, cruising to a 44-0 road victory at Moravian University in Centennial Conference play from Rocco Calvo Field in downtown Bethlehem. The 3-0 start marks the best start for the River Hawks since going 5-0 to start the 2000 season. 

While the River Hawk offense was efficient all day long, it was the defensive unit that was once again on display in recording its first shutout since 36-0 win over Ursinus College on October 26, 2019. SU allowed the Greyhound offense to gain just 134 yards of total offense, including only 33 yards through the air. 

The SU offense wasted no time on the opening drive of the game, as Michael Ruisch hit Eddie Nugent on the first play from scrimmage for 32 yards to get things going. Susquehanna moved the ball down to the goal to go, and Frankie Negrini punched it in from five yards out for the 7-0 early lead. 

After a 3-and-out from Moravian (1-2, 1-1 Centennial), Susquehanna needed eight plays over 3:53 of game clock before Ruisch hit Kyle Good from six yards out to double its lead. The River Hawk defense once again got off the field on 3rd-and-4, as Edwin Maxwell made a great stop a yard short of the first down to get the ball back. 

Susquehanna would have to punt on the next possession, but a Moravian fumble gave the ball right back to SU. The visitors needed just two plays, as Ruisch connected with Michael Lefever for a 22-yard pitch and catch to make it 21-0. 

Moravian once again turned the ball over on the first play from scrimmage its next drive, as Drew Robinson forced a fumble recovered by Riley Gaughan at the MU 28. The next drive would end in points again for SU, as Elijah Hoffman drilled a 33-yard field goal to make it 24-0. 

The River Hawks would force yet another 3-and-out, and Hoffman was once again good on a field goal attempt, connecting from 37 yards after a 15-play, 51-yard drive. 

The aggressive SU defense struck once again, as Christopher Mills was picked off by Craig Roumes for yet another Susquehanna takeaway. Just 1:31 later, Negrini cashed in from seven yards out this time to make it 34-0 at the half. 

The second half was much of the same, as the defensive unit stifled Moravian while Kyle Good tallied a two-yard touchdown plunge to cap the scoring in the third. Another Hoffman field goal was final scoring play for SU, which scored 40 or more points for the sixth game in the last seven tries. 

Ruisch was 21-of-26 for 200 yards and two scores through the air, and Negrini posted 39 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Dashon Bundy also totaled 36 yards on seven carries, while Mikey Giancaspro rushed for 34 yards on five attempts. 

Samuel Darrell led the squad with seven catches for 47 yards, while Nugent added four grabs and 59 yards. 

Other Notes

• Edwin Maxwell and John Nicosia led the River Hawks with four stops each, while Brendan Krumenacker added two tackles and a sack. 
• Robinson and Naphtali Stine each forced fumbles as well for SU. 
• Hoffman was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, making all five extra points as well. He is now 5-for-7 on the season on field goal tries.
• Jackson Buskirk made 10 stops for Moravian, while Chad Newhard also posted eight tackles. 
• The 3-0 start is the best start for head coach Tom Perkovich since taking over in 2015. 

Up Next

• Susquehanna (3-0, 2-0 Centennial) returns home Saturday, September 25 at 1:00 p.m. to host Dickinson College (1-2, 1-1 Centennial) for Family Weekend and Ring of Honor Day. Moravian will take on No. 21 Johns Hopkins University (3-0, 2-0 Centennial) in Bethlehem next Saturday.  

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