WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Touchdowns by senior Michael VanHorn (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) and junior Spencer Ferguson (Downingtown, Pa./Coatesville Area) and a 40-yard field goal from first-year Vasco Granitto (Dover, Del./Polytech) helped the Lycoming College football team overcome an 11-point second-quarter deficit, but TCNJ scored on a 42-yard pass with 2:04 left to sneak out of David Person Field with a 27-24 non-conference win in both teams' season opener on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 6.
 
TCNJ opened the scoring with a 22-yard field goal before a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown, but the Warriors closed within three points with a seven-play, 69-yard drive capped by a 22-yard touchdown run from junior Terrence Oliver (Sharon Hill, Pa./Academy Park) with 5:18 left in the quarter.
 
A safety and a touchdown drive provided a nine-point swing and gave TCNJ an 18-7 lead. The Warriors responded with an eight-play, 35-yard drive that got kickstarted on a big return from sophomore Aidan Barlett (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) and junior Jared Zimmerman (Souderton, Pa./Souderton Area). VanHorn capped the drive with a three-yard rushing score to make it 18-14 with 3:19 left in the period. TCNJ scored on a 40-yard field goal to make it 21-14 at the break.
 
The Warriors tied the game on a 55-yard drive late in the third quarter, with senior Brendan Clark (Montoursville, Pa./Loyalsock Township) catching three passes on the drive for 21 yards before Ferguson plowed in from seven yards out. They took the lead with 5:08 left, as Barlett moved the team into dangerous territory with a 33-yard punt return before Ferguson used a 14-yard rush to move the ball to the 20 and setting up Granitto's 40-yard field goal.
 
TCNJ answered on 4-and-1 at the Lycoming 42, as Kyle Vellis connected with Erik Garv for a 42-yard touchdown. Lycoming  got a first down on the ensuing drive, but lost the ball on an interception near midfield and the Lions were able to run out the clock.
 
Oliver rushed 14 times for 91 yards and a score and Ferguson rushed eight times for 32 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Jay Huber (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) was 10-of-24 for 61 yards and two interceptions. Clark caught four passes for 31 yards.
 
Sophomore Khalil Johnson (Laurel, Md./Atholton) finished with 13 tackles and a sack, sophomore Daniel Atsou (Capitol Heights, Md./Suitland) added 11 tackles and blocked an extra point. Senior Matt Trolinger (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) had nine tackles, two for a loss and sophomore Braden Baum (Salisbury, Md./Parkside) also added nine tackles. Barlett finished with seven tackles and an interception.
 
Joe Vissagio rushed 21 times for 121 yards and a touchdown for TCNJ and Jordan Morrell rushed 13 times for 65 yards. Velis finished 4-of-5 for 68 yards and a touchdown and Garv caught four passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.
 
Justin Kurc had two interceptions and a pass breakup and Dylan Patscher added 12 tackles, three for loss, a sack and one blocked field goal.
 
Lycoming is back on the field on Saturday, Sept. 13, when they head to Montclair State for a 12 p.m. non-conference game.