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| Sr WR Nick Costello was a bright spot for the Warriors with a touchdown reception from Fr QB Elijah Shemory Photo by John Green |
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.
Costello became the 11th 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Junior Korahn Williams (Reading, Pa./Reading) led the Warriors with five tackles, one for loss and a fumble recovery. Senior Jor 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 100th of his career.
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.
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.
