SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Susquehanna University broke out four consecutive scores in the first half and made sure the lead held as the River Hawks dashed away from Gettysburg College for a 55-40 Centennial Conference victory at Alonzo Staff Field on Saturday.
After blowing a 17-point lead last fall at Gettysburg (1-3, 1-2 CC), Susquehanna (2-2, 2-1 CC) opened the second half on Saturday with three-straight scores to pull away.
Junior quarterback Justin Davidov (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining) recorded 404 yards of total offense, marking the eighth-best offensive display by a Bullet in program history. He was 19-of-39 for 275 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 129 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. Davidov is the first Gettysburg player with 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in the same game since Kody Smith '13 against Moravian College on Oct. 27, 2012 (232 yards passing, 127 yards rushing).
Sophomore Matt McFadden (Morristown, N.J./Morristown Beard) posted 213 all-purpose yards, including 34 yards on a touchdown reception. Sophomore Jake Skinner (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) paced the defense with a career-high 16 tackles.
Gettysburg converted on its opening possession as McFadden ripped off a season-long 52-yard kickoff return to start the game. Seven plays later, Davidov scampered 25 yards into the end zone to spot the visitors a 6-0 lead.
Susquehanna jumped on the board with a 41-yard field goal by Evan Argiriou. On Gettysburg's ensuing drive, the River Hawks came up with a fumble recovery and converted the turnover into seven points to take the lead 10-6.
That's where the score stood entering the second quarter when Susquehanna began to pull away. Cameron Ott converted a pair of rushing touchdowns to push the River Hawks in front 24-6 with eight minutes left in the period. A 40-yard run on fourth down by Davidov cut the margin to 24-13, but Ott came right back with another score to push the hosts ahead 31-13.
Senior John Gutowski (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) set up Gettysburg's next score with an interception in Susquehanna territory. Davidov completed three passes on the next drive with the last going to McFadden for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 31-20 heading into halftime.
Susquehanna owned the football for over 11 minutes in the third quarter. Argiriou converted a 29-yard field goal to give the River Hawks a 34-20 lead heading into the final period.
Ott scored his fourth rushing touchdown just four seconds into the fourth quarter. Another touchdown on Susquehanna's next possession pushed the advantage to 48-20 with 10 minutes left in the game.
Gettysburg's offense came alive in the fourth quarter, putting up 240 total yards. Davidov threw touchdown passes to junior Ty Abdul-Karim (Washington, D.C./Woodberry Forest (Va.)), senior Jordan Kelso (Cookstown, N.J./Bordentown Regional), and freshman Kevin Benavente (San Diego, Calif./Mt. Carmel).
Junior Ryan Thompson (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) hauled in four passes for 56 yards for Gettysburg. Benavente also grabbed four passes for 51 yards, while McFadden tallied three receptions for 54 yards. Sophomore Justin Walsh (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) carried the ball nine times for 48 yards.
Sophomore Mike McKnight (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) and junior Joey DeCristofaro (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown) each posted 11 tackles.
Ott carried the ball 40 times for 184 yards and five touchdowns for Susquehanna. Quarterback Nick Crusco finished 17-of-28 for 206 yards and a score, while also rushing the ball 18 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. Chris Beals picked up nine receptions for 139 yards and a score. Connor Thompson paced the River Hawk defense with a dozen tackles.
Gettysburg welcomes McDaniel College for Homecoming next Saturday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m. at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.