SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Down 17-7 with less than eight minutes remaining, Susquehanna University football saved its best for last. The River Hawks erupted for 17 points in the fourth quarter before completing the comeback in spectacular fashion, blocking a Union field goal in overtime and returning it 65 yards for the game-winning touchdown to stun the Garnet Chargers, 23-17, Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
- Susquehanna trailed 10-0 entering the fourth quarter before finally breaking through when quarterback Tommy Wright connected with Reese Gaughan for a 34-yard touchdown with 14:17 remaining. Cohen Hoover's extra point cut the deficit to 10-7.
- After Union answered with a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown to push its advantage back to 17-7, the River Hawks refused to go away.
- Hoover drilled a 23-yard field goal with 5:13 remaining to make it a 17-10 game, giving Susquehanna's offense one more opportunity.
- The River Hawks capitalized. Starting at their own 8-yard line with 1:36 remaining, Wright directed a remarkable 92-yard touchdown drive. He connected with Ethan Mahan for 18 yards, Jimmy Fusaro for five yards and Gaughan for 19 yards before finding Fusaro for another 13-yard gain to move into Union territory.
- With just two seconds remaining, Wright found Gaughan again — this time for a 34-yard touchdown — to tie the game at 17-17 and force overtime.
- In overtime, Union received the ball first and drove to the Susquehanna 23-yard line. After a delay-of-game penalty, the Garnet Chargers faced fourth-and-eight and attempted a 40-yard field goal.
- Susquehanna's Jaydon Handy got a hand on the kick. Bezy Nwanonyiri scooped up the loose ball at the Susquehanna 35-yard line and raced 65 yards to the end zone, sending the River Hawks sideline into celebration and giving Susquehanna a stunning 23-17 victory.
- The win opens the season with a dramatic comeback for the River Hawks, who scored all 23 of their points in the second half — including all 17 points in the fourth quarter.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Susquehanna outscored Union 17-7 in the fourth quarter to erase the 10-point deficit.
- Wright found Gaughan for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the 34-yard game-tying score with two seconds left.
- Handy's overtime block and Nwanonyiri's 65-yard return produced the game-winning touchdown on the final play.
- Wright completed passes to seven different receivers, with Gaughan, Matt Surtz and Carter McCauley providing key plays during the comeback.
- Susquehanna intercepted Union quarterback Cole Brisson three times, with Eric Spears recording two of the picks and added three tackles. Vin Raniero had the game's first interception for the remaining air theft.
- Shawn Cain provided a huge spark in the return game, including a 48-yard kickoff return to the Union 47-yard line to open the second half.
- Quarterback Tommy Wright completed 20-of-45 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns while adding 36 rushing yards on 11 carries.
- Reese Gaughan hauled in three passes for 87 yards, with both of his receptions in the fourth quarter going for 34-yard touchdowns — including the game-tying score with two seconds remaining.
- Matt Surtz totaled 41 rushing yards on 11 carries and added three receptions for 49 yards, finishing with 90 all-purpose yards.
- Drew Hutchins rushed nine times for 32 yards and added two catches for nine yards.
- Brayden Nolan paced the River Hawks with 12 tackles, including four tackles for loss totaling 14 yards.
- Galen Limantour recorded eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries.
- Shawn Cain averaged 25.8 yards on four kickoff returns, including a 48-yard return to the Union 47-yard line to open the second half.
- Jaydon Handy blocked Union's 40-yard overtime field-goal attempt, and Bezy Nwanonyiri scooped up the ball and raced 65 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
- Susquehanna finished with 414 total yards, including 305 through the air, while holding Union to 211 total yards.
UP NEXT
- Susquehanna hits the road again next Saturday, traveling to Bridgewater College for a 2 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 12.
