WARRIOR FOOTBALL ENDS SEASON WITH VICTORY

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Lycoming College football team traveled to Susquehanna University, Saturday afternoon, for their final game of the 2004 season. After nine games of frustration, the Warriors finally put together the type of performance they expected they would see all season. All three phases – offense, defense, and special teams – played extremely well for Lycoming en route to a dominating 35-7 victory over the Crusaders. The Warriors finish the year at 3-7, while Susquehanna ends the 2004 campaign at 4-6.

Lycoming’s offense was led by freshman Brandon Traugh (Catawissa, Pa.; Southern Columbia) who carried the ball 18 times and rushed for a career high 145 yards and one touchdown. Senior quarterback Phil Mann (Mill Hall, Pa.; Central Mountain), playing his final game in a Warrior uniform, completed 7-of-14 passes for 95 yards, while also rushing for 33 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Cosmello (So./New Milford, Pa.; Montrose) accounted for Lycoming’s other touchdown, gaining 43 yards on eight carries. Ray Withelder (Sr./Aston, Pa.; Sun Valley) and Chris Beissel (So./Leesport, Pa.; Schuylkill Valley) each made two catches for 37 and 22 yards, respectively, to lead the receiving corps.

Defensively, Ryan Repko (So./Perkiomenville, Pa.; Boyertown) led the Warriors with eight total tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Brian Kaspick (Sr./Clearfield, Pa.; Clearfield) and Tyler Barth (Fr./Lock Haven, Pa.; Central Mountain) also recovered fumbles for a Lycoming defense that forced four turnovers.

The Crusaders were led by Justin Wutti (So./Harleysville, Pa.; North Penn) who threw for 130 yards on 11-of-30 passing, including a 31-yard touchdown pass. Jason Eck (Sr./Williamsport, Pa.; Loyalsock) led the rushing attack with 73 yards on 16 carries. Duane Park (Sr./Selinsgrove, Pa.; Selinsgrove) was Susquehanna’s leading receiver with five catches for 78 yards and a score. Larry Cannon (Sr./Hatfield, Pa.; North Penn) was the team’s leading tackler with 12 stops.

The Warriors held the Crusaders to a three-and-out on the game’s opening drive and took over on their own 48-yard line following a 24-yard punt. Traugh took the handoff on Lycoming’s first offensive play and scampered 39 yards off the left tackle to the Susquehanna 13. The Warriors’ drive stalled, however, and a failed 31-yard field goal attempt left the game scoreless.

Another three-and-out on the Crusaders’ next possession forced another punt. Matt Murdock (So./Elysburg, Pa.; Southern Columbia) took advantage receiving the kick on the run at the 47-yard line and returning it 50 yards to the Susquehanna three-yard line. Mann kept it himself on the next play and sprinted into the right side of the endzone for the touchdown. Chris Schrader (So./Glenolden, Pa.; Monsignor Bonner) added the point-after for a 7-0 Lycoming lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Ravi Kantha (So./New Rochelle, N.Y.; Fordham Prep) fumbled the ball and Barth recovered for the Warriors at the Crusaders’ 26-yard line. Eight plays later, Mann sprinted to the left pile-on for his second touchdown of the game. Schrader’s extra point extended Lycoming’s lead to 14-0.

Midway through the second quarter, the Warriors mounted another scoring drive. Starting at their own 29-yard line, Lycoming used nine running plays and just two passes to march 71 yards for a touchdown, while chewing up 4:48 off the clock. Cosmello capped the drive with a two-yard run to paydirt. Schrader connected for his third extra-point to give Lycoming a 21-0 advantage at halftime.

The Warriors continued to emphasize the running game to open the second half. Sparked by a 27-yard run by Traugh, Lycoming moved the ball 53 yards on five plays for their fourth touchdown of the game. Mann finished off the drive with a three-yard run for the score – his third rushing TD of the contest. Schrader stayed perfect on extra-points with his fourth of the day for a 28-0 Warrior lead.

Lycoming’s offense kept rolling behind the running of Traugh adding a fifth touchdown late in the third quarter. Traugh capped a four-play, 54-yard drive with a 28-yard run for the first touchdown of his collegiate career. Schrader again added the point-after to extend the score to 35-0.

Susquehanna’s offense began to find some success early in the fourth quarter. Starting at their own 22-yard line, the Crusaders moved the ball inside the Warriors’ 10-yard line. On third-and-goal from the five, Wutti found Park for an apparent touchdown, but the play was called back when Park was called for pass-interference. The penalty moved Susquehanna back to the 20-yard line, where a fourth down pass was intercepted by Repko at the goal-line to temporarily preserve the shutout for Lycoming. 

The Crusaders, however, had one drive left in them after holding the Warriors’ offense on a fourth-and-two play. Susquehanna took over on their own 36-yard line following the punt and mounted a nine-play 64-yard drive that resulted in their only score. Wutti completed passes to Chris Ross (Sr./Johnstown, Pa.; Westmont Hilltop) and Josh Kleha (Sr./Shamokin, Pa.; Mount Carmel) to move the ball to Lycoming’s 31. From there on second-and-10, Wutti found Park down the right sideline for the touchdown. Dwight Swaney (Jr./Mifflinburg, Pa.; Mifflinburg) added the extra-point.