WARRIOR FOOTBALL CONTINUES TO ROLL WITH WIN OVER SUSQUEHANNA

SELINSGROVE, PA – Tim Deasey (Sr./Norwood, PA; Interboro) rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Lycoming College football team to a 45-20 win over rival Susquehanna University, Saturday afternoon. The Warriors scored 29 unanswered points in the second half to break a 14-14 third quarter tie and cruise to a convincing victory. The win improves Lycoming’s record to 2-0 overall and 2-0 within the conference. The Crusaders fall to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the MAC.

In addition to Deasey’s performance from the backfield, Joe Feerrar (Sr./Jersey Shore, PA; Jersey Shore) played a solid game completing 13-of-24 passes for 295 yards and two touchdown strikes to wideout Chris Dauber (Sr./Jersey Shore, PA; Jersey Shore). Dauber finished the game with four catches for 149 yards. Tom Zulkowski (Sr./Frackville, PA; Cardinal Brennan) led all receivers with six receptions for 64 yards. Fullback Jon Neve (Jr./Norristown, PA; Germantown Academy) chipped in 67 yards on six carries.

Defensively, All-American candidate Ryan Rupprecht (Sr./Southampton, PA; Archbishop Wood) led the way with 10 tackles, including a pair of sacks, and a fumble recovery returned 39 yards for a touchdown. Matt Henrich (Jr./Huntingdon, PA; Huntingdon) was strong in the secondary, making eight tackles and intercepting a pass. Jake Davis (Jr./Nazareth, PA; Northampton) also had a big day intercepting a pass and breaking up six other attempts.

Lycoming got on the scoreboard first when Feerrar found Dauber on a deep route that went for 63 yards and a score. Susquehanna, however, struck right back scoring on a 60-yard pass from Mike Bowman to Mark Bartosic. Deasey put the Warriors back in front 14-7, early in the second quarter when he scored his first of three touchdowns on an 18-yard run. The first half ended with the score 14-7 in favor of Lycoming.

The Crusaders seem to grab the momentum at the start of the second half with an impressive seven-play, 70-yard scoring drive. The effort culminated with a 14-yard screen pass from Bowman to Jon Dvorshock. The Warriors kept their composure, however, and manufactured a nearly identical scoring drive of 71 yards to regain the lead for good. Deasey capped the drive with his second touchdown, this time scampering in from 21 yards out.

Lycoming began to put the game out of reach later in the third quarter as Feerrar and Dauber hooked up again for a long touchdown. This one came on a 68-yard hitch-and-go that gave the Warriors a 28-14 advantage. Deasey added his third score of the game late in the period on a 24-yard run, and Rupprecht put the nail in the coffin recovering a fumble caused by Ryan Steele (Sr./Williamsport, PA; Williamsport) and returning it 39 yards for a touchdown.

Susquehanna added a touchdown late in the fourth quarter when Craig Ulrich found tight end John Smith for a 19 yard score. The two-point conversion, however, was intercepted by Lycoming’s Henrich and returned 100 yards for the two-point defensive conversion, bringing the final score to 45-20.

The Crusaders were led by Bartosic on offense with four catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. Dvorshock added 61 yards on the ground on 12 carries. Bowman went 15-for-34 with two touchdowns and an interception before having to leave the game with and ankle sprain early in the fourth quarter. On the defensive side of the ball, All-American defensive back Antonio Nash led the team with nine tackles. Tony Sosnovik chipped in with seven stops.

Lycoming will be at home for their next two games, hosting King’s College on Sept. 22 for Homecoming, and Widener University on Sept. 29 for Family Weekend. Kickoff versus King’s is set for 1:30 p.m.; versus Widener kickoff will be at 1 p.m.