CARLISLE, PA (September 24, 2022) -- Everything was clicking on Saturday afternoon in Carlisle for the No. 21 Susquehanna University football squad, as the River Hawks dominated from start to finish in a 45-0 win over Dickinson College in Centennial Conference play from Biddle Field. 

The River Hawks (4-0, 3-0 Centennial) dominated on the ground, rushing for 209 yards on 38 attempts as they averaged 5.5 yards per attempt. On the other side of the ball, SU's defense allowed only 245 yards and turned the Red Devils (1-3, 1-2 Centennial) over four times Saturday. 

Dickinson took the opening kickoff and drove down to the Susquehanna 24, but David Gilchrist came up with a sack on 4th and 7 to stop the Red Devil drive. After a punt by Susquehanna, the Red Devils marched into River Hawk territory but a Diante Ball fumble on the SU 28 yard line gave the ball back to Susquehanna. The River Hawks would take advantage of the turnover, as fifth-year quarterback Michael Ruisch put SU on top with 2:31 remaining in the first quarter with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Michael Lefever. 

Susquehanna forced a punt on the next Dickinson possession, and went 95 yards on 10 plays before Frankie Negrini charged up the middle for a four-yard touchdown score to make it 14-0 with 9:41 to play in the first half. SU upped its lead to 21-0 just before halftime, as Hunter Coulter capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run as he gained 39 yards on the series. After the intermission for halftime, Susquehanna took the second half kick-off and marched 75 yards on five plays capped by a 21-yard pitch and catch from Ruisch to Kyle Howes for the 28-0 lead. 

The ensuing Dickinson drive was stopped three plays in as John Nicosia picked off Matt Maiona, and Negrini scored his second of the day on an 8-yard sprint up the middle to make it 35-0. An Elijah Hoffman 43-yard field goal made it 38-0 with 2:07 to play in the third quarter. The defensive unit continued to stifle Dickinson, as Andrew Wells and John Scarlata picked off passes in the fourth quarter, with the later setting up a 1-yard touchdown pass from junior Brayden Knoblauch to classmate Chris Bookter. The touchdown pass and reception were the first in their career for both players, as it finished the scoring for the day. 

Ruisch went 14-for-25 for two touchdowns, while Knoblauch finished 4-for-4 for 41 yards and a score. Negrini posted a season-best 103 yards and two touchdowns, while Coulter finished with 42 yards on six carries. D.K. Wyche collected 40 yards on four carries, including an incredible 30-yard scamper, and first-year Tommy Grabowski got his first career carries as he picked up 12 yards on four carries. 

The receiving core saw Howes pace the group with 79 yards on four grabs and a score, while Lefever also posted four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Rowan Hershey caught two balls for 42 yards, and Eddie Nugent, Jacob Erb and Warren Griffith each had two catches Saturday. Hoffman made all of his kicks as well, connecting on his six extra points and single field goal. On defense, Nicosia added eight tackles to his interception, while Gilchrist finished with six tackles (2 for loss) and a sack. Drew Robinson and Josh Parson each had five stops, and Wells posted two tackles, one for loss and a pick. 

The River Hawks dominated the statistical breakdown, winning the time of possession 31:16-28:44, while also scoring on all five red zone chances. SU was also 10-for-14 on third downs offensively and outgained the Red Devils 465-245 for the game. 

Ball posted 39 yards rushing for Dickinson, while Princeton Douglass added 30 yards on the ground on three carries. Maiona was 19-of-31 for 147 yards and two interceptions as well. 

Up Next

• The River Hawks return home Saturday, October 1 at 1:30 p.m. to take on the Bears of Ursinus College (3-1, 2-1 Centennial) in Doug Arthur Stadium in Centennial Conference action. 

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