WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The No. 6 Susquehanna Riverhawks (9-1) keep the Stagg Hat in Selinsgrove for the seventh straight season with the Riverhawks 55-7 victory over Lycoming College (4-6).
What’s even more impressive than the victory itself is the Riverhawks claiming their third straight Landmark Conference Championship with the win.
Susquehanna swept the Landmark conference (5-0) for the third-straight year on their way to claiming the title.
“To win three-straight conference championships is special,” said Susquehanna’s head coach, Tom Perkovich. “Hats off to our coaches and our players. It’s just a special day in a lot of ways,” said Perkovich.
The Riverhawks had their feet on the gas from the moment the first whistle blew, scoring touchdowns on six consecutive drives to begin the game.
Freshman running back, Rahshan LaMons, rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The first touchdown of the day came from a LaMons rush from the 1-yard line.
LaMons found the endzone again after breaking free for an 85-yard score, making it 27-0 following the PAT with 8:59 remaining in the first half.
Susquehanna scored 27 total points in the second quarter alone. They had a 41-0 lead going into halftime.
Even out of the half with the game seemingly in hand, the Riverhawks didn’t stop playing aggressively on both sides of the ball.
At the start of the 4th quarter, the Riverhawks had the ball on Lycoming’s 2-yard line. Lined up in I-formation, QB Josh Ehrlich handed the ball off to his offensive lineman, Nick Gonzalez, who barreled in for the touchdown that put the team up 55-0.
“Obviously you can probably only do that once,” said Perkovich. “Nicks had probably a hall of fame career. In the end he’ll probably be a 4-time all-conference player… it felt right, we kind of designed it on the sideline,” said Perkovich.
Defensively, linebacker Garrett Carter led the team with seven tackles. Brian Layton and Tim Pherson Jr. both had a half sack, and Josh Parson had a timely interception in the 2nd quarter to help keep Lycoming off the scoreboard.
Lycoming was able to find the endzone with 7:17 left to play, when backup quarterback, Joe Lyons, connected with Dawson Debebe for a 4-yard touchdown.
With the win, Susquehanna now awaits Sunday’s NCAA DIII Selection Show, where they find out who they’ll face in the first round of the NCAA DIII Playoffs.
With the expanded playoff field in the NCAA this season, it is possible that Susquehanna will earn a first-round bye due to their record. The Riverhawks are currently ranked No. 6 in the nation. With Saturday’s win and clinching the Landmark Conference Championship, the Riverhawks ranking could go up by Sunday, giving them a first-round bye.
“Winning the championship, you know, is always a big one. Get to the playoffs, get back there for us because, you know, we haven't done as well as we would like there and we want another opportunity,” said Perkovich.