EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. — The No. 21 Susquehanna University football team continued its strong season Saturday afternoon, earning a 36-15 victory over Wilkes University in Landmark Conference action at Schmidt Stadium. The River Hawks improved to 6-1 overall and remained unbeaten in conference play at 3-0, using a balanced offensive attack and a pair of interceptions to secure their third straight Landmark victory. It also marked their 21st consecutive Landmark win and 31st including their ten-game win streak from the Centennial Conference.
Susquehanna finished with 443 yards of total offense, including 200 rushing yards and 243 through the air, while limiting Wilkes to 264 total yards. The River Hawks also controlled the ball for 33:44 and converted seven of their 12 third-down attempts.
How It Went Down
- Susquehanna's defense set the tone early. After Wilkes intercepted a pass on the River Hawks' opening possession, the Colonels drove into field-goal range. Defensive lineman Galen Limantour blocked Wilkes' 41-yard field-goal attempt, and Jaden Hines recovered the ball and returned it 25 yards to give Susquehanna possession at its own 28-yard line.
- The River Hawks capitalized on the opportunity. Matt Surtz capped an 11-play, 72-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run at the 7:33 mark of the first quarter. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Susquehanna with a 6-0 lead.
- Wilkes responded early in the second quarter when Trey Dogmanits connected with Daniel Pigga for a 51-yard touchdown pass at 14:52, giving the Colonels a 7-6 advantage.
- Susquehanna answered with a methodical drive late in the half. Quarterback Tommy Wright connected with Ethan Mahan for a 46-yard completion to move the River Hawks deep into Wilkes territory. After reaching the two-yard line, Susquehanna's offense kept the pressure on, and Wright found Frankie Mroz for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 1:05 remaining in the half. The two-point conversion failed, but the River Hawks regained the lead, 12-7, and carried that advantage into halftime.
- The River Hawks took control in the third quarter with two touchdowns in less than four minutes. After the defense forced a Wilkes punt, Susquehanna put together a seven-play, 68-yard drive. Wright connected with Mahan for a 42-yard touchdown pass at 5:44, and Cohen Hoover added the extra point to make it 19-7.
- The defense quickly gave the offense another opportunity. Omari Cofield intercepted a Dogmanits pass and returned possession to Susquehanna at the Wilkes 50-yard line. Five plays later, Surtz broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run at 2:04. Hoover's extra point extended the River Hawks' lead to 26-7.
- Susquehanna continued to build its advantage in the fourth quarter with a lengthy, nine-play, 55-yard drive that consumed nearly six minutes. Wright connected with tight end Noah Confer for a 19-yard touchdown at 9:06, and Hoover's extra point pushed the lead to 33-7.
- The turnovers kept coming for the River Hawks, this time from the front. A hurried Wilkes pass was batted up in the air by lineman Brady Rosencrans, which landed in his arms and got Susquehanna set up in prime field position. They added to their total with a 28-yard field goal by Hoover at the 2:24 mark, capping a nine-play, 37-yard drive.
- Wilkes scored a late touchdown when Dogmanits connected with Anthony Theodore on a 10-yard pass with 17 seconds remaining. The Colonels converted a two-point attempt, bringing the final score to 36-15, though were denied the onside kick with Marcus Hines snatching the ball for Susquehanna.
- The late Colonels score marked their only eight points of the second half as the SU defense forced two turnovers and allowed just 264 yards of total offense.
Inside the Box Score
- Matt Surtz rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. His longest run went for his 34-yard score. He has 10 touchdowns on the year to lead the Landmark and has rushed for 752 yards on 113 carries.
- Tommy Wright completed 16-of-22 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with three different receivers for scores.
- Ethan Mahan led the receiving corps with four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown, including a 42-yard scoring reception.
- Frankie Mroz finished with three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown, including a 30-yard scoring catch late in the first half.
- Noah Confer added a 19-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.
- Drew Hutchins contributed 73 rushing yards on 15 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt.
- Carter McCauley led Susquehanna with six receptions for 46 yards.
- Defensively, Brayden Nolan recorded a team-high 10 tackles, including one tackle for loss.
- Omari Cofield and Brady Rosencrans each intercepted a pass. Cofield's interception in the third quarter set up Surtz's second touchdown of the afternoon.
- Galen Limantour blocked a 41-yard field-goal attempt in the first quarter, helping the River Hawks keep Wilkes off the scoreboard on its opening scoring opportunity.
- Susquehanna outgained Wilkes 443-264, held a 200-64 advantage in rushing yards and won the time-of-possession battle, 33:44 to 26:16.
- The River Hawks converted seven of 12 third-down attempts and limited Wilkes to four conversions on 11 attempts.
Up Next for the River Hawks
- Susquehanna continues its road swing next Saturday, October 31, with a Landmark Conference matchup against Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The River Hawks will look to extend their conference winning streak and maintain their lofty status in the Landmark Conference.
