SELINSGROVE, PA – Susquehanna Football got its lucky numbers going into the 2024 season with the number 12 and the number one. The 12 represents their national ranking in the D3football.com Preseason Top 25, while one marks the top spot in the Landmark Conference's Preseason Poll for the second straight year. The latter was unveiled during the Landmark's Football Media Day on Thursday, hosted by Susquehanna.

This marks yet another consecutive week in the national rankings for head coach Tom Perkovich and the River Hawks. In 2023 Susquehanna maintained its year-long residence in the D3football.com and AFCA national rankings from the time they were deemed the 22nd best team in the nation by D3football.com's preseason slotting. Not only did they achieve their second consecutive 10-0 regular season and a conference title, but stretched their regular season win streak to a program-record 21 games and reached as high as ninth nationally by D3football.com and tenth by the AFCA, both program bests.

Listen to head coach Tom Perkovich's interview on The Add/Drop Podcast, hosted by Terrance Biggs.


Susquehanna returns 13 of its 16 All-Landmark recipients from last season in linebacker Garrett Carter, offensive lineman Nick Gonzalez, running back Tommy Grabowski, wide receiver and returner Kyle Howes, offensive lineman Eli Kantor, linebacker Drew Robinson, defensive end Jake Schultes, defensive back Andrew Wells, placekicker Christian Colasurdo, quarterback Josh Ehrlich, tight end Rowen Hershey, offensive lineman Hunter Shimko, and linebacker Josh Buck. Carter, Gonzalez, Grabowski, and Howes were also chosen to the D3football.com All-Region 2 Team, with Howes being named the Landmark's Offensive Player of the Year after earning First Team Landmark honors at wide receiver and Second Team as a kick returner.

Going into 2024 Susquehanna looks once and for all to break through the NCAA Tournament barrier after going as far as the first round in each of the last two seasons. The offense morphed from a pass-happy approach from 2022 under quarterback Michael Ruisch to a multiple set with quarterback Josh Ehrlich. The River Hawks found a rhythm running the ball, whether it be Ehrlich taking off or by running backs Grabowski, Matt Surtz and D.K. Wyche. The offensive line aided in this quest as Susquehanna set a school record with 34 rushing touchdowns and netted 2,547 yards. That's not to say that Ehrlich didn't throw often, completing 68.8 percent of his passes (150-218) for 1,562 yards, 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Howes led the way with nine touchdown receptions after hauling in 64 passes for 819 yards, while tight end Hershey caught three touchdowns off 13 catches for 166 yards.

On defense Susquehanna returns its five sack leaders in Carter (5.0 sacks), Schultes (4.5 sacks), Tim Pherson Jr. (4.0 sacks), Robinson (3.5 sacks), and Buck (3.0 sacks). Robinson led the team in tackles with 72 total (24 solo) and forced four fumbles, while Carter ranked second with 55 total tackles (15 solo) and a team-best 10.5 tackles for loss that accounted for 55 yards lost. Schultes was second on the tackles for loss team board with 10.0 for 52 yards, while marking 38 total tackles (16 solo). He tied for the team lead with two interceptions both coming against Western New England in the team's home opener on Sept. 23.

Robinson and Wells were chosen as team captains for the 2024 season. Wells racked up a productive year in 2023 with 45 total tackles (24 solo) and making trouble in the secondary with one interception, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.

The special teams for Susquehanna were strong advocates of the notion that special teams accounts for one-third of the game, stepping up in crucial situations to deliver a win for the orange and maroon. Placekicker Christian Colasurdo finished as the Landmark Conference's leading scorer last year with 88 points, making 12-of-16 field goals and 52-of-55 extra points. Six of those points single-handedly defeat SUNY Brockport in a 6-5 Week 2 victory, closing out each half with field goals. He followed that up the next week in a thrilling victory to beat eventual national champion SUNY Cortland as the River Hawks came back from 14 points down late in the game with two straight receiving touchdowns by Hershey and Howes, then the kick return coverage forcing a turnover on the ensuing kickoff that setup another Colasurdo game-winning three. Susquehanna took back one punt return and one kick return for a touchdown in 2023, while even cashing in blocked punts and field goals to paydirt. Most notable was the NCAA First Round game with Grove City, where late in the first half Schultes blocked a 45-yard field goal attempt and was caught out of the air by future AFCA All-American Keith Green III for a 72-yard runback.

Fans who enjoyed Susquehanna's opponents slate for 2023 get to double their pleasure in 2024 as the River Hawks are set to rematch each of their opponents, beginning with three marquee home matchups against Bridgewater Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. as part of Ring of Honor Night, SUNY Brockport Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m., and defending national champion SUNY Cortland Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12 noon. They head out on the road for the first time at Western New England Saturday, Sept. 28 before entering their Landmark Conference slate. These include home dates with Keystone Saturday, Oct. 12, Juniata on Homecoming Saturday, Oct. 19, and Moravian on Senior Day, Saturday, Nov. 2. Susquehanna is also on the cusp of a historic milestone, nearing 500 all-time wins sitting at 493.