COLLEGEVILLE, PA (October 2, 2021) -- Senior quarterback Michael Ruisch threw for 307 yards and five touchdowns and running back Frankie Negrini added three scores of his own as the Susquehanna University football team picked up a 62-23 road victory over Ursinus College in Centennial Conference action Saturday.
The offense was the story for the River Hawks (5-0, 4-0 Centennial) Saturday, as they scored touchdowns on each of their first four drives including posting 31 points in the second quarter. The 45 first-half points for SU were the most in a first half since scoring 55 in the first two quarters against Wilkes University in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series in 2019.
After a three-and-out on the opening drive by Ursinus, Susquehanna wasted no time getting on the board as Negrini caught a swing pass from Ruisch from seven yards out to complete a 9-play, 66-yard drive at 7:59 of the first quarter. After the defense forced another three-and-out, Ruisch connected with senior Kyle Good on a 24-yard touchdown to make it 14-0.
The Bears (3-2, 2-2 Centennial) scored on a Samuel Ragland touchdown just before the end of the quarter to make it 14-7, but SU responded with another great drive to make it 21-7. On the march, Susquehanna went 75 yards over 10 plays before Negrini took a counter play and broke it from 16 yards out for the score. On the ensuring kickoff, UC muffed the angled kick from Elijah Hoffman, which was recovered by SU. On the very next play, Eddie Nugent made a diving catch on a perfectly thrown ball from Ruisch to make it 28-7.
Ursinus pulled back to within two scores with a 56-yard touchdown pass on the next drive, but that was as close as the Bears would get for the remainder of the contest. On the next drive, Ruisch found Michael Lefever over the middle and the senior tight end scampered 50 yards before diving into the end zone for six to make if 35-14.
Once again the kickoff coverage unit came up big for SU, as Josh Parson recovered a fumble by Ursinus to set up the offense at the Ursinus 4-yard line. Three plays later, Kyle Good took a jet sweep pass in from eight yards to make it 42-14. Just before the half, Hoffman would put a nice bow on the first 30 minutes for the River Hawks, connecting on a career-long 44-yard field goal.
The offensive unit continued to roll in the second half thanks to the power running from Negrini, who put SU up 52-14 at 10:16 of the third quarter with a 32-yard rushing score. Later in the third, sophomore Dashon Bundy got in the end zone for his first career touchdown at SU, and anther first came in the fourth when Christian Colasurdo connected on his first collegiate field goal from 39 yards out to finish the scoring for the River Hawks.
It was a career-high for Ruisch through the air, as his 307 yards were a lifetime best while the five scores through the air tied a career-best. The 127 yards for Negrini also was a personal-best, averaging 7.5 yards per carry. Lefever also posted a career-high for receiving yards with 73 Saturday, making five grabs, and Good finished with six catches for 68 yards and two scores all coming in the opening half.
Sophomore Jacob Erb had two catches for 64 yards, including a 55-yard reception, and Mikey Giancaspro rushed for 48 yards on eight carries in relief action of Ruisch. The offensive unit was 6-of-11 on third downs while chalking up 31 first downs in the game. SU also held a huge 35:52-24:08 edge in time of possession.
All of the offensive firepower overshadowed a very strong game by the defensive unit, which held Centennial leading rusher Ragland to just 55 yards on the ground. SU also forced UC into a third-down efficiency of 3-of-12, surrendering just 264 yards offensively to the hosts.
Senior Brendan Krumenacker had six stops, including two sacks, and David Gilchrist was strong with five stops and a pass breakup. Craig Roumes forced yet another turnover with a second-half interception, and Andrew Wells also made five stops including a team-high four solo stops.
Ursinus quarterback Jack Psenicska was 15-for-28 for 186 yards and two touchdowns. UC posted just 62 net rushing yards on Saturday, as it suffered its first home loss of the 2021 season.
Other Notes
- The River Hawks move to 5-0 for the first time since the 2000 season. Also, SU has now won 13 straight games.
- SU has now posted 30 or more points in 11 games straight games.
- The River Hawks posted four more sacks Saturday, upping their total to 16 sacks on the season.
- Susquehanna won the turnover battle again, and has caused two or more turnovers in four straight games.
Up Next
- SU will have next weekend off as part of the entire Centennial Conference bye week for football, but returns to the gridiron October 15 at 6:00 p.m. in Doug Arthur Stadium against Gettysburg College in league action.
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