BRIDGEWATER, Va. — The Susquehanna University football team continued its strong start to the 2026 season Saturday afternoon, racing past Bridgewater College 41-14 at The Stadium at the Jopson Athletic Complex. The River Hawks improved to 2-0 with their second straight road victory to open the season.
Susquehanna wasted little time setting the tone as Matt Surtz broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run just 20 seconds after the opening Bridgewater punt. Surtz found the end zone again later in the first quarter on a three-yard run, giving the River Hawks a 14-0 advantage after the opening 15 minutes.
Surtz added his third touchdown of the afternoon early in the second quarter, capping a nine-play, 53-yard drive with another three-yard scoring run. Tommy Wright then connected with Carter McCauley on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 1:36 remaining before halftime to extend the lead to 28-0. Bridgewater answered with Tommy Nelson's 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, sending the River Hawks into halftime with a 28-7 advantage.
Susquehanna continued to pour it on in the third quarter. Wright found Frankie Mroz for a 24-yard touchdown on the River Hawks' opening drive of the half, and after Bridgewater responded with a touchdown pass from Parker Burke to Brandon Anderson, Wright connected with Noah Confer on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 29 seconds remaining in the quarter. Susquehanna took a commanding 41-14 lead into the fourth.
The River Hawks' defense then shut the door in the final quarter, holding Bridgewater scoreless while allowing just 22 rushing yards and 180 total yards for the game. Susquehanna also recorded five sacks, with Amarch Drammeh, Brady Rosencrans, Galen Limantour, Brayden Nolan and Mason Gechter each recording one.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
- Susquehanna 7, Bridgewater 0: Matt Surtz opened the scoring with a 47-yard touchdown run on the River Hawks' first offensive play.
- Susquehanna 14, Bridgewater 0: Surtz scored again from three yards out to cap a nine-play, 56-yard drive.
- Susquehanna 21, Bridgewater 0: Surtz completed his hat trick with another three-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.
- Susquehanna 28, Bridgewater 0: Tommy Wright connected with Carter McCauley for a 33-yard touchdown with 1:36 left in the half.
- Susquehanna 28, Bridgewater 7: Tommy Nelson returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a Bridgewater touchdown.
- Susquehanna 35, Bridgewater 7: Wright found Frankie Mroz for a 24-yard touchdown early in the third quarter.
- Susquehanna 35, Bridgewater 14: Parker Burke connected with Brandon Anderson for a seven-yard Bridgewater touchdown.
- Susquehanna 41, Bridgewater 14: Wright hit Noah Confer for a 26-yard touchdown with 29 seconds left in the third quarter.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Matt Surtz: 19 carries, 159 yards, three touchdowns, including a 47-yard long. His 159 yards marked the River Hawks' top rushing performance of the afternoon.
- Tommy Wright: 17-of-25 passing for 208 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He also added 13 rushing yards.
- Carter McCauley: Three receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown.
- Frankie Mroz: Two receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.
- Noah Confer: One reception for 26 yards and a touchdown.
- Sam McCracken: Nine carries for 53 yards.
- Drew Hutchins: 10 carries for 30 yards and one reception for 15 yards.
- Amarch Drammeh: Six tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack.
- Galen Limantour: Three tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup.
- Brayden Nolan: Two tackles, including a sack and tackle for loss.
- Mason Gechter: One tackle for loss and a sack.
- As a team, Susquehanna piled up 463 yards of total offense, including 255 rushing yards and 208 through the air. The River Hawks held a 25-13 advantage in first downs and controlled the ball for 33:29.
- Defense: The River Hawks held Bridgewater to just 180 yards of total offense and 22 rushing yards while recording five sacks for 44 yards. Amarch Drammeh, Brady Rosencrans, Galen Limantour, Brayden Nolan and Mason Gechter each recorded a sack.
UP NEXT FOR THE RIVER HAWKS
- Susquehanna remains on the road next Saturday, Sept. 19, when the River Hawks travel to Baltimore to take on Johns Hopkins at 1 p.m.
- It is a matchup of last year's NCAA Quarterfinals game, where host John Hopkins handed Susquehanna a 40-10 defeat.
- The Blue Jays suffered a defeat to Randolph Macon on Saturday, putting 2-0 Susquehanna one game up on the now 1-1 2025 NCAA Semifinalists.
