Crusader Week Two Article

After a loss last weekend to Moravian described as “tough to swallow” by Coach Steve Briggs, the Susquehanna Crusaders needed to rebound against Juniata. Briggs said, “We felt as though we left many points on the board against Moravian”. In front of the home crowd, SU needed to have a strong showing with both teams entering the game at 0-1, after Susquehanna’s 12-6 loss to Moravian and Juniata’s 3-0 loss to McDaniel. The Crusaders did much more than simply rebound in a 45-3 thrashing of the Juniata Eagles. From the first quarter onward, it was clear that SU was in control of the game on both sides of the ball. Susquehanna and Juniata play every year for The Goal Post Trophy, which currently resides in Selinsgrove. Coach Steve Briggs stated that playing for a trophy and the prestige attached with winning such an honor adds motivation to his team. It is likely that the thrill of playing in a rivalry game added to the success of the Crusaders on Saturday. For a large majority of the first quarter, both offenses were struggling to mount an attack. However, a ten-play, fifty-five yard drive late in the first quarter jumpstarted the Crusader offense. Junior quarterback Rich Palazzi found his favorite target, junior wide receiver Mike Ritter for a 19-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead. The touchdown at the end of the first quarter was simply the opening act of a rout at Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium. Early in the second quarter, Palazzi and Ritter connected on a 59-yard pass to add to the lead and make the score 14-0 in favor of SU. After a Juniata field goal that would be their only points of the game, the offensive juggernaut continued for Susquehanna. Junior running back Greg Tellish collected 52 of his 187 rushing yards following a long return by sophomore defensive back Jalon Scott. Palazzi then connected with junior linebacker Justin Stover, who was in the play as a receiver, for a two-yard touchdown to make the score 21-3 Crusaders. Following a fumble recovery by Scott which was returned to the Juniata five-yard line, Palazzi found junior tight end Matt Knouse in the end zone for his fourth passing touchdown of the day. After a blocked punt by Jalon Scott, senior kicker Bobby Eppleman converted on a 35-yard field goal to end the first half with Susquehanna leading 31-3. The domination that Susquehanna showed in the first half continued into the second half as the defense began to make plays sapping any hope from Juniata. After a touchdown from Greg Tellish to give Susquehanna a 38-3 lead, the defense continued to make key stops to prevent Juniata from moving the ball down the field. A fine defensive performance was capped in the fourth quarter when freshman running back Tyler Grosser broke through the offensive line and blocked a Juniata punt attempt for the second blocked punt of the game for SU. Almost immediately, sophomore defensive back Teighler Doak recovered the loose ball and returned it for the final touchdown of the game, making the score 45-3. When asked about his emotions and thoughts upon recovering the blocked punt, Doak said, “I felt like I should have let (Tyler) Grosser pick it up, but I felt lucky that Coach Briggs put me in the right spot and it worked out”. Seven minutes and fourteen seconds later, Susquehanna had sealed a victory over the Juniata Eagles 45-3, and retained The Goal Post Trophy. Succeeding can breed confidence very quickly, and with a 42-point victory, the Crusaders will carry full confidence into their next game against Muhlenberg. The Crusaders have rebounded and will be a very difficult team to beat in the weeks to come.