WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Senior
Nick Costello (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) caught four passes for 79 yards and a score, surpassing a milestone for the Lycoming College football team, which fell to Susquehanna University, 38-7, in the Stagg Hat Trophy Game on Saturday, Sept. 1, at David Person Field.
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Costello became the 11
th player in program history to reach 100 career receptions with his first catch, a 12-yard catch on 4-and-2 from the Susquehanna 29 midway through the second quarter. On the next play, he capped a six-play, 48-yard drive by out-leaping the Susquehanna cornerback for a 17-yard score.
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The Warriors (0-1 overall) gained 205 yards of total offense against a tough Susquehanna defense, posting 170 yards in the air and 45 on the ground. Susquehanna (1-0 overall) had 358 yards of offense against the Warriors, taking advantage of six turnovers, but also turning the ball over three times.
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Susquehanna jumped out to a 24-0 lead through the games first 20 minutes, scoring on four of five drives to take control. Rory D'Alesandro hit a 30-yard field goal with 5:30 left in the first quarter. Lycoming responded with a drive to the Susquehanna 22, but missed a field goal attempt. Susquehanna scored touchdowns on three of its next four drives before Costello's catch got Lycoming on the board.
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Susquehanna took advantage of an interception in the third quarter to get solid field position before Michael Ruisch found Anthony McCoy for a 25-yard score. The Warriors drove to the Susquehanna 3-yard line in response, but Susquehanna got a stop when Daniel Shelton intercepted a pass in the corner of the end zone.
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Lycoming drove inside the 10 again on its next drive, but a fumble ended the threat. In the fourth quarter, Susquehnna scored its last touchdown on a 61-yard rush by Da'Avian Ellington.
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Junior
Keith Batkowski (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) led the Warrior rushers, taking the ball 11 times for 33 yards. Freshman
Elijah Shemory (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore) finished 11-of-24 for 165 yards and a touchdown. Freshman
Chase Snavely (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) went 1-of-5 for five yards. Senior
John Kim (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) had three catches for 24 yards and senior
Brock Zollicoffer (Owings Mills, Md./Owings Mills) caught two passes for 60 yards.
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Junior
Korahn Williams (Reading, Pa./Reading) led the Warriors with five tackles, one for loss and a fumble recovery. Senior
Joe Pinzka (Perkasie, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) added five stops and an interception and senior
Ahmad Curtis (Effort, Pa./Pleasant Valley) had five tackles and a sack. Sophomore
Mike Kalyan (Auburn, Pa./Schuylkill Haven) had four stops and an interception. Freshman
Matt Stankiewicz (Olyphant, Pa./Mid Valley) also added a sack and senior
D.J. Boyd (Seat Pleasant, Md./Fairmount Heights) posted two breakups. Senior
Dominic Loffredo (Linden, Pa./Jersey Shore) had two tackles, including the 100
th of his career.
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Michael Ruisch finished 13-of-30 for 143 yards and two touchdowns for Susquehanna. He was intercepted twice. Aaron Speight rushed 13 times for 79 yards and a score and Ellington finished with two carries for 67 yards and a score. Cole Dixon led the River Hawk defense with nine tackles, two sacks, a fumble forced and recovered and an interception.
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The Warriors get back on the field on Saturday, Sept. 8, when they head to Widener University for a 1:07 p.m. non-conference kickoff.
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