SELINSGROVE, PA (September 2, 2022) -- The Susquehanna University football team comes into 2022 coming off a 9-2 overall record and a bowl victory over Widener University in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. SU was ranked for the majority of the 2021 season, and from the outside it would be easy to say that 2021 was a successful season. But to head coach Tom Perkovich and the rest of the squad, internally, the season fell short of the expectations it had going into 2021. 

"I think it started last offseason, a lot of people talked about last year you had a great season and let's keep the ball rolling but to us wasn't a great year," said Perkovich. "For us it was disappointing...I know a lot of people would like to have nine wins and be 9-2 but but for us the bar is set high and our guys know that. There is a high level of trust between players and coaches that we'll be in a position to win on Saturdays but we don't want think too far ahead and focus on the things that are guaranteed and that's week one against Lycoming." 

Fast forward to this fall, and vibes are strong after a very solid preseason camp that focused on some position battles as well as continuing to build the culture of winning and doing the little things right. Being detailed oriented has been a theme when at practice, and it has come through this August in practice. "We really built on the spring work, I thought we refocused and changed a few things and the guys really responded to those changes," said Perkovich. "Our players came back ready to go, in good shape and it's been really competitive in camp. From top to bottom, we're in the best spot with our young players we've ever been. The guys bought into the process, bought into what we're trying to get done on a daily basis."

Susquehanna is fortunate though to have a large group of seniors and graduate students that have been here through the last two seasons, a combined 19-3 record over that time. Having such a special group back to lead the team is key, especially when that group possesses a four-year starter at quarterback, as well as All-Centennial Conference Players on all three sides of the ball. "A lot of these guys back are very good players, another year of experience...these guys have had a lot of days on the field. Another year of maturity, being able to help our younger players, that experience has been invaluable," said Perkovich. 

The position battles that were talked about a little earlier have been exciting to see so far this fall, especially in a very competitive scrimmage against Ithaca College. The coaching staff learned a lot against a team that is perennially ranked in the top 20 nationally, and that experience will only help make decisions going into the season. 

"We lost two really good players on the offensive line, but we have guys that played a lot there and its now time for those guys to ascend and have their time to shine. Another group is at wide out, having Sammy Darrell and Kyle Good move on, we've seen a really large of guys really step up and be the group and take the bull by the horns," said Perkovich. "Obviously shoes to fill at linebacker, losing two big pieces in Anthony Scicchitano and Craig Roumes. Josh Parsons and John Nicosia have been able to fill in there, good competition there for sure. In the secondary, good to see Edwin Maxwell and Naphtali Stine...Keith Green...step up. It gives us some flexibility. Additionally, Cameron Noble has had an outstanding preseason for us on the line." 

Those battles for playing time will only increase throughout the season as the younger players work into the fold, as this River Hawk group looks to finish some business that's been outstanding for the last few years in the final season for SU in the Centennial Conference. 

A look at the offense, defense and special team groups is below: 

OFFENSE
As many who watch collegiate football know, you're as good as your offensive line and quarterback play and the River Hawks are fortunate to have both experience and talent at both spots. Graduate student Michael Ruisch comes back as the lead signal caller in 2022, as he finished third in the Centennial Conference in passing efficiency with a 143.0 rating. Ruisch broke the school record for touchdowns in a season and career last year, as he tossed for 2,528 yards and 29 scores. His eight interceptions were also the fewest among full time starters. Ruisch is also athletic and can get out of the pocket as he rushed for 427 yards a season ago. The preseason camp shuffling behind him for QB2 has been back and forth, but junior Brayden Knoblauch was the first in behind behind Ruisch in the scrimmage against Ithaca. 

On the offensive line, SU is fortunate to have three starters back from a season ago including All-Centennial Conference center Dalton Simpson. A multi-year starter and league honoree, the hard-nosed center is both smart and physical and has also shown some versatility this fall to swing out to guard and tackle if needed. Junior Nick Gonzalez had a very solid first season at left tackle last year, earning All-Centennial Conference accolades as he protected Ruisch's blind side. Mark Custer and Cooper Vellis played a lot last season and both have stepped into bigger roles as full-time starters as of Week 1, while Pat Griswold, Eli Kantor, Mark McFadden, Hunter Shimko and Brandon Boushell will give the River Hawks some ability to mix and match units this fall. 

The backfield has been extremely crowded this preseason, with as many as five to six players working in with the first unit. The River Hawks have All-Centennial Conference Second Team performer Frankie Negrini back after a solid season as a junior, as he rushed for 784 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 14 balls for another two touchdowns, as his physical style of running works great with zone reads and the more athletic offensive line group SU possesses. Negrini was spelled some in 2021 by now sophomore Gavin Coles, who looks explosive this fall, while a group of Dashon Bundy, DK Wyche, Hunter Coulter and others looks to nab carries as well. 

The wide out position looks to be talented and deep this year for SU. SU is excited about the continued improvement of both Bryce Ellinger and Kyle Howes. Ellinger, an All-American high jumper, is as athletic as they come at this level as he posted 22 receptions last season for two scores. Howes can play in the slot and outside, and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. Senior Eddie Nugent is back as well, as he was fourth on the team with catches a season ago with 32, adding three touchdowns.

Juniors Jacob Erb, Cole Cooper, Chris Bookter and Warren Griffith are also some names to look out for this year, as they bring solid experience and depth to the group. Erb had 10 catches last year, while Griffith had eight grabs as well. In addition to the wide receivers, Susquehanna has a very deep and talented tight end group which includes D3football.com Preseason All-American Michael Lefever. Lefever was second on the team in catches last year with 35, averaging 15 yards per grab while scoring six times. His ability to stretch the seam up the middle was a huge asset for SU in 2021. Lefever is joined by sophomores Rowan Hershey, Sean Yamada and newcomer Michael Robbins, all of whom look solid so far in camp. 

DEFENSE
The defensive unit for the River Hawks, or "Wild Dogs" as they are affectionately know as in the building has become one of the best units in the nation. Susquehanna led the Centennial Conference in yards per game allowed in 2021 with only 270.9, while recovering a league-high 14 fumbles and picking off 13 passes. A unit that prides itself on stuffing the run, SU allowed only 70.8 yards on the ground a season ago, 13 yards per game better than Muhlenberg for second place. SU was also 11th in the nation in rushing defense. The unit is poised for another big year, mostly because of the accountability that the group plays with. 

On the defensive line, Susquehanna will have to replace Riley Gaughan but SU is excited about the starting returners in Cameron Noble and Sal Gurnari. Gurnari returns for his fifth season, and there may not be a bigger leader than him on the defensive unit, as he can play both inside and outside. Noble has slimmed down some while keeping his strength and looks like a force at tackle, being able to push the pocket and stuff running lanes. Junior Jake Schultes has has a great camp for SU on the end, and will get a lot of reps to get after the quarterback this fall, while West Virginia transfer Derek Ambrosino also has a quick step with the ability to get off the edge. 

First-year Brian Layton has also impressed in fall camp at tackle and will get some reps as well, while Nick Silenok and Timothy Pherson are some names to watch on the defensive line rotation.

The outside linebacker position for years has been a strength for SU, and while the names change in 2022, the coaching staff is excited to see some new stars emerge. One returner back though is fifth-year and All-Centennial Conference defender Brendan Krumenacker. The Chester Springs, PA native is active, smart and has a huge tackle radius with his 6-4 frame as he always seems to be around the ball. Junior Josh Parson was a special teams standout last season, but moves into a starting role right onw as STAR linebacker, looking solid in preseason camp. First-year Jesse Ruisch, younger brother of SU starting quarterback Michael, has impressed already and should get some reps on teams and outside linebacker while sophomore Josh Buck plays extremely fast and also made big plays last year on special team.s 

On the inside, junior Drew Robinson is one of the most vocal leaders on the squad and his play matches his energy. Robinson made 44 tackles a season ago as a starting middle linebacker, and has shown already in camp he's ready to take the next step. Junior John Nicosia is another name to watch out for, as he had a great season last year on special teams and is one of the most physical, hard hitting players SU possesses. Junior Tim Alliegro and sophomore transfer Garrett Carter also are currently listed on the two-deep and will add strong depth. 

The defensive backfield has some familiar names back in 2022 from a season ago, including both starting safeties in sophomore Andrew Wells and All-Centennial Conference standout David Gilchrist. Starting with the safeties, Wells had 49 total tackles as a true first-year, fourth on the team, while breaking up four passes and picking off one as well. Wells has been raved about this fall, as has Gilchrist who picked off two passes and broke up five balls in 2021. Junior Keith Green has also worked a lot at safety this fall, and will be a vital part of the defense after he finished the season with a monster game in the MAC-Centennial Bowl Series win over Widener. Tim Macko is another name at safety to watch for, as well as on special teams. 

At cornerback, Aaron Beverly was an All-Centennial Conference returns after picking off three passes and breaking up 11 on the season at boundary corner. Senior Edwin Maxwell and sophomore Naphtali Stine have stepped up this fall, as both had key roles last year while Craig Lyttleton and Garrett Swank also are listed in the initial two-deep at cornerback. 

SPECIAL TEAMS
The specialist unit is headlined by the return of graduate student and multiple time All-Centennial and All-American selection at kicker Elijah Hoffman. He returns after a 2021 season that saw him make 12 of 16 field goal attempts, including a career-long 44-yard kick against Ursinus. He will also take on punting duties this season. Depth is provided from multiple sources for the River Hawks, with junior Aaron Kahn slated to also get reps at punter. Sophomore Christian Colasurdo will serve as a backup kicker, providing both youth and some experience, having seen action in four games as a first-year and going a perfect 1-for-1 on field goal attempts, nailing a 39-yard attempt at Ursinus.

The returners all bring some experience to their roles, with junior Bryce Ellinger and sophomore Kyle Howes serving as the main kickoff return-men. Howes was electric on kickoffs in his first season in 2021, averaging 29.08 yards per return and taking one 95 yards for a score against Widener in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series game. Howes will also split punt return duties with junior wideout Warren Griffith, who returned three punts last season.

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The River Hawks will get their season underway on Saturday in Williamsport, PA, taking on Lycoming College at 1 p.m. in the Stagg Hat Game. 
 

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