SELINSGROVE, PA – Challenged by Wilkes with a 7-7 tie after the first quarter, #12/13 Susquehanna Football left no room for negotiation the rest of the way with 27 unanswered points and a poignant defensive display that produced five sacks and three fumble recoveries towards a 34-7 Landmark Conference win on Homecoming. The River Hawks, now victors of their last 19 regular season games for a school record, come out on top in the battle of the Landmark's top two preseason choices to improve to 4-0 in league play and 8-0 overall. This leaves SU and Moravian (3-0, 4-3 overall) as the two remaining unbeatens within Landmark competition, with their matchup set for next Saturday in Bethlehem.

The defense wasted no time with Wilkes starting the game with the ball, as Le'Trey Bond's tackle on what was otherwise a big running play from Elijah Jules jarred the ball loose and recovered by Keith Green III to set Susquehanna up on Wilkes' 49. Five plays later running back Tommy Grabowski found the endzone for the ninth time this season to take an early 7-0 lead. The Colonels went three and out on their next drive, but got gained some momentum when they stopped the River Hawks on fourth down on the ensuing possession. This triggered an 11-play scoring drive, capped off with a sneak play from receiver Jason Dean on fourth and goal from the one to tie things up at 7-7 after one.

The River Hawks countered to start the second quarter with a 75-yard drive, highlighted by a 27-yard run from quarterback Josh Ehrlich to put SU back in front, where they would stay for good. The defense then went to work and got into a routine of shutting down the Colonels on third-down conversions, something they didn't relent on all day as Wilkes was shut out on 11 third-down tries. With under five minutes left, Susquehanna put together another scoring drive to set some distance before the half, as Ehrlich found Kyle Howes for 27 yards down to the one yard line that set up another rushing touchdown for Grabowski for a 20-7 lead at the half.

The "Wild Dogs" defense claimed the first big play of the second half with another turnover. With Wilkes backed up in its own territory, option quarterback Xavier Powell took off to the right but was met from behind by Jake Schultes who forced the ball out and recovered by Green again to set the River Hawks up at the Colonels' 16. On the first play, tight end Sean Yamada got the ball behind the line of scrimmage, who then threw it to fellow tight end Rowen Hershey for the 27-7 lead early in the third.

When it wasn't SU's defense, it was Wilkes' miscues with penalties to give the ball back to the River Hawks. Overall the Colonels were called for seven penalties, including several false starts that sent them further from the first down markers and perhaps more attainable third and fourth down conversions. The final statement from SU came courtesy of the defense, coming up with their third forced fumble of the day, this time on a sack. Again set up deep in their own end, quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez was flushed out to his left and taken down by Drew Robinson, who forced the ball out jumped on by Josh Parson, giving the offense prime real estate at Wilkes' 12. SU's ensuing drive culminated three plays later in the form of Ehrlich catching Kyle Howes on an out route for a five-yard connection.

Grabowski netted his sixth straight 100-yard rushing game with 113 yards on 23 carries and a pair of touchdowns, giving him ten on the season. Ehrlich had a calm day, completing 11-of-16 for 95 yards with one touchdown, while rushing for 43 yards on 13 carries and one rushing TD. Howes led the team with four catches for 54 yards and one touchdown, while Hershey caught three for 26 yards and a score.

The defense had a lot to do in the lopsided win, as all three turnovers resulted in touchdowns and the unit combining for five sacks, with one each from Robinson, Schultes, Green, Garrett Carter, and Tim Pherson Jr. Carter swarmed Wilkes all afternoon with ten tackles, including 3.5 for loss. Robinson totaled seven tackles with 1.5 for loss and one forced fumble, while fellow fumble forcers Bond had six tackles with four solo and Schultes five tackles with 1.5 for loss. Green's pair of fumble recoveries complemented a day where he also totaled four tackles with one solo and one for loss.

Susquehanna sits in the driver's seat of the inaugural Landmark Conference football championship, with next week's test at Moravian for a 1 p.m. kickoff potentially serving as the ultimate deciding factor for the conference title. Following next week's visit to the Greyhounds, the River Hawks have a bye before completing their regular season at home versus Lycoming on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m.