BRIDGEWATER, VA - The Susquehanna football team hits the road for their season opener at Bridgewater, set to kick off Saturday, Sept. 2 at 2 P.M. The marquee matchup will prove to be an interesting one, as both received recognition in the D3football.com Preseason Poll with the River Hawks ranked #22 and the Eagles receiving votes. 

The River Hawks have plenty of reason to be confident entering the season, coming off one of the most successful campaigns in program history with their first unbeaten regular season since 1986, a Centennial Conference title, and placing themselves throughout the school record books, including a school-record 2,808 yards passing and finishing four yards shy of the school record in total offensive yards with 4,862. Last year's recognition aside, history is already on the doorstep for Susquehanna as they kick off their inaugural season in the Landmark Conference, which sponsors football for the first time in the league's history. Susquehanna took the top spot in the conference's preseason poll.

Head coach Tom Perkovich heads into year nine commanding the River Hawks sidelines, with assistants Pat Ruley, Cole Dixon, Tom Haughey, Mike Wiand, and Tate Schorr returning for another great season. New to the coaching staff this year are Tim Kologrivov (who previously served on Coach Perk's staff), Dante Waugh, and Todd Tilford. 

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GAME NOTES: SUSQUEHANNA | BRIDGEWATER

PRESEASON RANKINGS SHINE BRIGHTLY ON THE RIVER HAWKS!
Football Soars in at #22 in D3football.com Top 25 Preseason Poll
Coming off an unbeaten regular season and a Centennial Conference title, the Susquehanna University football team flies into their first Landmark Conference season holding a number-22 ranking in the D3football.com Top 25 Preseason National Poll, receiving 134 points.

The D3football.com Top 25 is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country, and is published weekly. Points are awarded on a 25-24-23-22-etc. basis.

The River Hawks' 2023 schedule includes another top-25 team with week three's matchup at 17th-ranked SUNY Cortland on Sept. 16. Additionally, Bridgewater, who Susquehanna opens the season with on Sept. 2, was among others receiving votes with two points. From their historical 2022 season, Susquehanna claimed a pair of wins against teams featured in the poll in former Centennial foes Johns Hopkins, who were ranked 18th, and Muhlenberg, who received votes with 14 points. Utica, Susquehanna's NCAA opening-round opponent from 2022, received votes with 49 points.

Susquehanna looks to build on its success from last season despite the departure of many decorated upperclassmen. Returning this year are two D3football.com All-Region 2 selections in offensive lineman Nick Gonzalez and receiver/returner Kyle Howes. Each received All-Centennial Conference honors, along with fellow returners Keith Green III (defensive back), Mark Custer (offensive lineman), Jake Schultes (defensive lineman), and Drew Robinson (linebacker).

Inaugural Landmark Conference Preseason Poll Favors Susquehanna
Susquehanna football's inaugural season in the Landmark Conference shows plenty of promise as indicated by their number-one ranking in the Preseason Poll, as voted on by the coaches. The River Hawks, who were ranked 22nd in the D3football.com Top 25 Preseason Poll, have many key faces returning that helped capture the Centennial Conference title in 2022 with an undefeated regular season at 10-0. 

Susquehanna earned 36 points to top the poll with six first-place votes. Conference newcomer Wilkes placed second with 31 points and one first-place vote, while Catholic ranked third with 25 points. Fellow Landmark newcomer Lycoming took fourth with 22 points, while Moravian placed fifth with 15 points, Keystone sixth with 11 points, and Juniata seventh with seven points. 

Susquehanna looks to build on its success from last season despite the departure of many decorated upperclassmen. Returning this year are two D3football.com All-Region 2 selections in offensive lineman Nick Gonzalez and receiver/returner Kyle Howes. Each received All-Centennial Conference honors, along with fellow returners Keith Green III (defensive back), Mark Custer (offensive lineman), Jake Schultes (defensive lineman), and Drew Robinson (linebacker).
 
"We are set on continuing what has made us great as we enter our first Landmark season. There are some key spots we need to fill entering this year, but we've been working hard since January with our returners who have that chance to step up and be playmakers. Our recruiting class was one of our finest that covers so many competitive regions, so I'm looking forward to see what they can do for us down the road. With a new league comes plenty of excitement for our guys to make a name for ourselves and play opponents outside of our region. There are always challenges when you come off a championship season like we did last year, and our guys understand that and know how to rise above it. Everyone knows their assignments and what needs to get done. As long as we stay true to that we're set to have a great season." - Head Coach, Tom Perkovich