SELINSGROVE, PA - Susquehanna University football outgained Union on the ground by a 191-20 margin Saturday afternoon, with backs
Drew Hutchins and
Tommy Grabowski each logging the team's only two offensive touchdowns in a convincing 33-14 victory. That's not to say the passing game was dormant, as River Hawks receivers seemed to be in the right place at the right time on crucial catches to extend drives as Susquehanna held the ball for over 37 minutes. Kicker and punter
Dominic Bourgeois added to the sizable margins going 4-for-4 on field goals and a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points. The defense came up with three turnovers with two interceptions, including defensive back
Berkeley Wagner running one back on a 27-yard pick six early in the fourth quarter.
How It Went Down
- Susquehanna 7, Union 0 - Susquehanna won the toss and elected to receive. With injuries to Rahshan La Mons and Matt Surtz, Tommy Grabowski and Drew Hutchins shouldered the load on the ground. Hutchins, a junior, got the team's first touchdown of the year on a ten-yard run, capping off an 11-play opening drive spanning 5:49 with 9:06 left in the first.
- Susquehanna 7, Union 7 - Facing 4th and 3 at Union's 35, quarterback Josh Ehrlich surprised the Garnet Chargers with a punt that was downed at the one yard line. The River Hawks' momentum was dashed when on just one play Union quarterback Patch Flanagan, in the shotgun, found receiver Dan Quinn down the right sideline for a 99-yard touchdown with 4:52 left in the first. This play helped aide Union's 328-226 lead in passing yards for the day.
- Susquehanna 10, Union 7 - Susquehanna got back on track by stringing together a series of well-executed passing plays. Facing 3rd and 8 early in the drive Ehrlich rolled out and found Robert Stolfa for a first down. He did the same with a 14-yard pass to Daniel Growney for his first career catch. Though the drive stalled at the Union 4, placekicker/kickoff man/punter Dominic Bourgeois drilled his first of four field goals on the day to give SU back the lead.
- Susquehanna 17, Union 7 - The River Hawks forced Union into a quick three and out on its ensuing drive, prompting another steady drive for Susquehanna that was capped by a three-yard run by Grabowski. The senior back acquired 42 of the team's 62 yards on the scoring drive, including a punishing 32-yard run to get them in Union territory.
- Susquehanna 20, Union 7 - With time running out late in the first half, Union looked to quickly get in scoring range with under a minute left. Flanagan's throw over the middle was too high, deflecting off his intended receiver's hands and intercepted by Brayden Nolan. His runback got Susquehanna inside Union's 30 with 17 seconds left, with the offense scraping a few more yards off for Bourgeois to hit a 42-yarder as the first half clock expired.
- Susquehanan 23, Union 7 - The third quarter featured just one scoring drive, supplied again by the foot of Bourgeois. Facing 4th and 2 at Union's 40. Ehrlich scrambled and threw a ball of the middle that was deflected at the line, though fluttered far enough down the field for Stolfa to make a grab for it at the 29 for a first down. Bourgeois connected from 32 yards out for the 16-point lead.
- Susquehanna 26, Union 7 - Susquehanna began the fourth quarter with another drive down in Union's red zone. While the Garnet Chargers again held off another touchdown threat, Bourgeois found the center of the goalpost for a career-high four field goals from 26 yards out.
- Susquehanna 33, Union 7 - The Garnet Chargers' ensuing drive featured what was perhaps the dagger by Susquehanna. With Flanagan looking to his left, defensive back Berkeley Wagner read him the whole way, intercepting the ball for a 27-yard touchdown return.
- Susquehanna 33, Union 14 - Union quarterback Patch Flanagan found his touchdown maker again in Dan Quinn for a 24-yard score with 9:07 to play. The Garnet Chargers got close again at Susquehanna's 27 with under two minutes remaining. Flanagan was caught off guard with the early shotgun snap, which hit off his leg and back to the line of scrimmage before linebacked Steven Seibert pounced on it to seal the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Quarterback Josh Ehrlich completed 17-of-26 passes to eight different receivers for 226 yards. He also ran for 82 yards on 13 takeoffs, which was second on the day behind Grabowski's 88 on 21 carries. Hutchins netted 21 yards on 11 touches.
- Robert Stolfa led the SU receivers with five catches for 72 yards. Senior Hunter Morgenroth was also in the conversation often with 61 yards on four catches, while tight end Michael Robbins caught two for 25 yards and fellow tight end Jacob Schultz celebrating a 23-yard reception.
- Linebacker Steven Seibert led the team with six total tackles, including half a tackle for loss and the game-clinching fumble recovery. Defensive back Eric Spears also had six total tackles and led with four solo tackles. Linebacker Galen Limantour offered the only team's sack of the day with a satisfying blindside sack that set the Garnet Chargers back ten yards.
Up Next for the River Hawks
- Susquehanna celebrated its eighth consecutive Week 1 victory. They aim for their seventh straight 2-0 start next Saturday with a familiar non-conference opponent in Bridgewater at home at 12 noon. The River Hawks have defeated the Eagles the last two seasons by respective 51-19 and 41-7 scores.
