SELINSGROVE, PA (November 6, 2021) -- The No. 25-ranked Susquehanna University football team dropped its second consecutive contest Saturday afternoon on Senior Day, as the visiting No. 16 Mules of Muhlenberg College bested the River Hawks 52-27 in Centennial Conference play from Amos Alonzo Stagg, Jr. Field in Doug Arthur Stadium.
It was another difficult start for Susquehanna Saturday, as Muhlenberg (8-1, 7-1 Centennial) hopped out to a 21-0 lead after three touchdown grabs by senior wide receiver Michael Feaster from Michael Hnatkowsky. Early in the second quarter, Susquehanna drove down the field and finished a 7-play, 70-yard drive over 3:28 as Michael Lefever caught a pass over the middle from Michael Ruisch and took it in from 34 yards out to make it 21-7. On the next drive, Muhlenberg pushed its lead back up to three scores as Mitch Daniel hauled in a 27-yard touchdown grab to to make it 28-7.
The River Hawks (7-2, 6-2 Centennial) wouldn't go away as Ruisch spun out of a sack and launched a perfect pass to Bryce Ellinger who got behind the defense and walked into the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown strike with 4:49 to go in the first half. Muhlenberg would kick a field goal just before halftime to make it a 31-13 lead at the break for the visitors.
On the first drive of the third quarter, the River Hawks pulled to within 11 at 31-20 as Ruisch capped a six-play, 75-yard march with a 11-yard touchdown scamper up the middle at 11:47 on the clock. That's as close as the River Hawks would get though, as the Mules scored seven on each of their next two drives to pull away for the victory.
Susquehanna's offense was paced by the hard running by junior tailback Frankie Negrini, who rushed for 102 yards on 15 carries, averaging just south of seven yards per carry. It was Negrini's second 100-yard game on the ground this season, bested only by the 127 yards at Ursinus College. Ruisch finished 14-for-27 for 189 yards and two touchdown passes, pulling to within one of the SU school record for passing scores in a career with 62.
Lefever finished with five catches for 65 yards and his sixth touchdown of the season. His five grabs matched a career high. Ellinger had a team-high 77 yards receiving, including the career-long 60-yarder for the score, and Dashon Bundy gained 13 yards on three carries and a late touchdown run.
The Mules saw Hnatkowsky tie the school record for passing touchdowns Saturday with six, as he hit Feaster and Daniel each for three. Feaster finished with 174 yards on 10 grabs, and Daniel added eight catches for 119 yards. Spencer Kirin had a game-high 10 tackles for the Mules.
Up Next
- The River Hawks will head to Huntingdon, PA at 5 p.m. next Saturday, November 13 to take on Juniata College in the Goal Post Trophy game. SU has won the last five games against the Eagles, including a 63-7 win back in 2019. Susquehanna University is also already assured of postseason football, and will play in a Centennial/MAC Bowl game on Saturday, November 20 at a site and time to be determined.
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