Lycoming Defeats Rival Susquehanna                        Coach Girardi Grabs 254^th Career Win

SELINSGROVE, Pa.—The Warriors ended their season on a winning note, beating Susquehanna on the road Saturday. The 28-14 victory ended a four-game drought and gave Head Coach Frank Girardi his 254the career win. Next season’s opener will be Girardi’s 350^th game and a win would tie him with Nebraska coaching legend Tom Osborne at 255 victories.

Lycoming received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in nine plays, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown run by senior Glenn Smith (Watsontown, PA). Smith led all players in total yardage, throwing for 131 yards and rushing for 126 in his final collegiate game. His only mistake came shortly after the 1^st quarter when he threw an interception to the Crusaders’ Shawn Rafferty.

Surprisingly, linebacker Mike DiPlacido (Perkasie, PA) forced a Susquehanna fumble on the first play after the interception. Senior Tim Mahoney (Southampton, PA) fell on Dave Paveletz’ fumble on the Warrior 40 yard line. Lycoming then drove to the Susquehanna 14 yard line with a mix of short passes and tough runs by John Seese (Stroudsburg, PA), Ryan Dixon (Dalton, PA) and Jim Laky (North Wales, PA). Unfortunately, the Warrior drive came up empty after a missed field goal.

After a strong defensive stand, led by defensive end Ryan Yaple (Stillwater, PA), Lycoming got the football back. But the Warrior drive again stalled and they were forced to punt. Crusader Rob McGarrigle blocked Stephen Deao’s (Houtzdale, PA) kick and Susquehanna capitalized with a 5-yard touchdown pass to senior Ravi Kantha. Kantha is the Crusaders’ leading receiver, but it was his first touchdown reception in his final college game.

With the score knotted at seven, Warrior linebacker Chris Smith (Philadelphia, PA) intercepted quarterback Jason Wutti five plays into the second half. Smith returned the interception 32 yards to the Susquehanna 35 yard line and Lycoming answered with a short touchdown drive. Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert (Hawley, PA) caught a 21-yard Smith rollout pass for the score.

However, Susquehanna came right back with a 16 play, 81-yard touchdown drive on their next possession, evening the score at 14-14. Freshman Manny Carpin (Clarion, PA) returned the subsequent kickoff 24 yards toward the end of the third quarter. The Warriors followed with a 9 play drive that included Glenn Smith running for 24 yards when he couldn’t find an open receiver, then scoring on a quarterback sneak.

As Susquehanna took possession, cornerback Matt Murdock (Elysburg, PA) stifled the Crusaders with a pair of tackles and a pass breakup. Lycoming ultimately sealed the game on an exciting play. On third and four, Glenn Smith faked an end around to Brad Shellenberger (Lock Haven, PA), then ran up the middle, hoping to discover first down yardage. What Smith found was an absence of Crusaders to tackle him. The Warrior captain ran wild for 57 yards and the game’s final touchdown.

Next year’s squad will have a different look with the departure of Smith, Seese and receiver Tony Kopp (St. Mary’s, PA), among others. But the Warriors intend to continue this winning way and take coach Girardi well past Tom Osborne on the all-time wins list.