SELINSGROVE, PA - Fans of NCAA Division III football will be treated to not just a battle between two top-five teams Saturday between #4/5 Susquehanna and #3 Johns Hopkins, but also a matchup of last year's NCAA semifinalists. Another pocket of fans will be delighted to see a rivalry rekindled between the two teams that once shared a home in the Centennial Conference between 2010 and 2022. The River Hawks and Blue Jays are set to take flight Saturday. Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. from Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium.

Both sides were one game away from potentially meeting each other in the NCAA Championship game last winter, though Susquehanna lost its semifinals game to eventual-champion North Central, while Johns Hopkins fell to Mount Union. The last these two teams met was in 2022, Susquehanna's last season in the Centennial Conference, when the River Hawks delivered a 26-24 win over the Blue Jays that helped cast their sails to the Centennial title and the first of three consecutive NCAA championship appearances. Only a few holdovers remain from that 2022 Susquehanna team, though they understand the mission at hand. After two lopsided wins over Union and Bridgewater to start the year the River Hawks look to maintain their top-five ranking through two more non-conference matchups between JHU and at Christopher Newport next Saturday, with the Captains receiving votes in the latest D3football.com and AFCA national rankings.

Susquehanna received Player of the Week recognition these first two weeks from the Landmark Conference and D3football.com. Kicker Dominic Bourgeois received Week 1 honors from both circuits after booting four field goals in the 33-14 win over Union. Linebacker and coverage teams specialist Brennen Miller received Landmark weekly accords after playing a pivotal role that limited Bridgewater's return game efficiency in the 56-17 victory. Quarterback Josh Ehrlich has remained consistent without any interceptions to start the slate. With the ground game taking the lead in the opener, backed by touchdowns from Tommy Grabowski and Drew Hutchins, Ehrlich flipped the script in game two against Bridgewater, throwing for four touchdowns and running for another. His performance made him the fourth Susquehanna quarterback ever to throw for both 5,000 career passing yards and 50 career touchdown passes. His great work was matched by a deep receiving corps, with 12 River Hawks touching the ball. Receiver Robert Stolfa has made a name for himself in the early part of the campaign, catching two touchdown passes against Bridgewater to lead the team this season. Senior receiver Hunter Morgenroth is still a familiar target, leading SU with 131 yards on nine catches. Running back Hutchins has stepped up tremendously to aide an injured backfield, catching a touchdown pass from Ehrlich against Bridgewater and scoring on the ground against Union. He has 107 rushing yards on 26 carries, behind only Ehrlich, who had 156 rushing yards on 28 takeoffs.

The defense has remained solid through the early going. With a couple key names to replace the River Hawks have found plenty of names that have stepped up. They already have a defensive touchdown to their credit as against Union Berkeley Wagner ran back a 27-yard pick six. Linebacker Brayden Nolan also earned an interception against Union, while defensive back Ben Fleming had an interception against Bridgewater. The defensive line played a big part in the win over the Eagles. With Susquehanna trailing 10-7 early in the second quarter, defensive tackle Brian Layton stuffed the Eagles on a crucial 4th and 1, giving the River Hawks the ball on BC's 34 and setting up the go-ahead touchdown with a one-yard QB sneak from Ehrlich.

What you need to know: Saturday's matchup between Susquehanna and Johns Hopkins will kick off at 1 p.m. at Susquehanna's Amos Alonzo Stagg Field at Doug Arthur Stadium. 

Free Parking and Admission: Free parking and admission to the game. Gates will open 90 minutes prior to kickoff at 11:30 a.m. Please look to arrive early to ensure ample parking. Parking is available around campus, save the lot at Garrett Sports Complex, which will be closed off for essential gameday personnel.

Access to Estill Field House: Access to Estill Field House is available to use the bathrooms adjacent to the football grandstands. Pleased be advised that a volleyball tournament will also take place in Garrett Sports Complex tomorrow beginning at 12 noon. 

Watch on FloFootball: All Susquehanna home and Landmark Conference games are available to watch with a paid subscription on FloSports. Sign up to get the Susquehanna and Landmark Conference rate at suriverhawks.com/flo. 

Listen on WQSU 88.9 FM: Fans may also listen to the broadcast as always on WSQU 88.9 FM or by visiting suriverhawks.com/wqsu with Jack Burns on the call.