Box Score WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. --- In its season opener, the Lycoming College football team fell to a stout Rowan defense 29-7 on Saturday, Sept. 12. The Profs defense held Lycoming to just 34 yards on the ground and 70 passing yards.
With both teams opening their seasons today, the first quarter was a testing period, with neither team gaining much yardage in either the air or on the ground. The Warriors rushed 11 times, but gained only six yards. Midway through the first quarter, the Profs scored their first points of the season on a 26 yard field goal. The two teams split possession time in the quarter 7:30 minutes for both squads.
On its first possession of the second quarter, Rowan drove down the field and was able to find the end zone, but were unable to convert the point after and took a 9-0 lead. After both teams had two three-and out series, Rowan found the scoreboard again for another field goal and a 12-0 lead at halftime.
After punting away its first offensive series in the second half, Lycoming got a huge return from punt returner sophomore Ray Bierbach (Hunlock Creek, Pa./Northwest Area). Bierbach took the ball at the Lycoming 34-yard line and returned the punt 45 yards to the Profs 21-yard line. After getting great field positioning, the Warriors scored quickly on a 21 yard pass the very next down. Senior quarterback Colin Dwyer connected with sophomore wide out Ryan Wagaman for the lone Warrior score of the day. Dwyer (Dalton, Pa./Lackawanna Trail) went 9-24 for 70 yards on the day, throwing one TD and one interception.
Lycoming had a difficult time getting the running game going. Seemingly every rushing attempt for the Warriors was met near the line of scrimmage by a Rowan defender. Junior Josh Kleinfelter (Bellwood, Pa./Bellwood-Antis) netted 26 yards on 13 attempts. Wagaman was the leading receiver, catching three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, sophomore lineman Anthony Marascio (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) had a breakout day recording a game-high nine tackles and 1.5 sacks, including a monster 14-yard loss. Junior defensive back Jim Daley (Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood) was second on the day with eight total tackles, including six assisted stops. The Warrior defensive players dropped Rowan for 25 total yards, 17 of which were in sacks.
Lycoming begins a long road series as its next three games will be away from Williamsport. The first of those three will be Saturday, Sept. 19 at local rival Susquehanna University. On the line are annual bragging rights for football control of the area, as well as the Amos Alonzo Stagg Felt Hat trophy. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Selinsgrove, Pa.
