RADNOR, Pa.— Eastern University Football (10-2) saw it's storybook season come to close in the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament with a 29-0 home loss to the Susquehanna University Riverhawks (10-2). While both defenses controlled play, the Riverhawks took advantage of three turnovers and a safety to earn the win.
The match-up was, in many ways, a study in contrasts. Susquehanna has been playing football since the 1800's, and the Eastern program is in its third season of varsity competition. The Riverhawk offense averaged 472 yards and had 36 passing touchdowns. The Eagles, on the other hand, relied on a steady ground game and had given up only nine throws for scores this year. Susquehanna played in the National Semifinals last year and is in the tournament for a fourth-straight season. Eastern played its first NCAA Tournament game last week.
"I told the guys after the game" Head Coach Billy Crocker said, "When you're in the playoffs, one team is going to leave very unhappy. That's just the reality. Credit to them. Susquehanna is a very good football team."
Through the first half, the Eastern defense held the potent Susquehanna offense to only a pair of field goals and 85 yards of total offense. Susquehanna kicker Dominic Bourgeois kept his perfect season going with a 45-yarder to open the scoring six minutes into the game.
After a couple positive plays, the Eagles got behind the sticks after a sack near midfield. The Susquehanna defense grabbed an interception on third-and 20. The Riverhawks got a big gain on their first play, but they never got inside the 20. Bourgeois converted from 39 yards out for his 19th field goal this year without a miss. The Riverhawks scored two more points on the first play of the second quarter on a snap over the head of punter John Westfield. Westfield saved his side some points by winning the race to the ball, but the Susquehanna lead went to 8-0.
Through the first half, the Eagles managed only 55 yards against the physical Susquehanna defense. After the Eastern defense opened the period with a three-and-out, Brett Nabb posted back-to-back tough runs to get the Eagles into Riverhawk territory, but they could get no further and were forced to punt. In the final two minutes, Curtis Johnson made a play to down a Westfield punt at the four, but the Riverhawks made a first down to end the half.
Susquehanna made only 12 yards in the second quarter, but they held the 8-0 lead at the break.
After a big return to start the second half, the Riverhawks found some offensive rhythm and went 57 yards in 13 plays to go up 15-0.
After another three-and-out, the Eagles found an opportunity when Jason Bateman knocked near the Eastern sideline. Gashawn Moody Sr. dove toward the ball. Realizing, he was going to go out of play before gathering possession, Moody slapped the ball back into play where Kyree Taylor smothered it at the 32 yards line. It was Bateman's sixth forced-fumble of the year.
"You look at the game," Crocker continued. "Down 15-0, we are kind of out of it, but after the great play from Gashawn and Jason, one good possession there gets us right back into the game."
That possession, however, did not materialize. After the Riverhawks lost the challenge on the call, the Eagles looked to take advantage of the sudden change. Nabb's deep shot was picked off by Xavier Maple in the endzone.
The Eagles forced another two punts, but the advantage in field position disappeared.
The Riverhawks went up 22 with a 42-yard drive midway through the fourth quarter and then added a final score on an 80-yard fumble return with four minutes left.
Nassik Smith and Nabb each finished with 40 rushing yards and Jeremiah Avrilien ran for 38 yards and caught three passes. Bateman led the defense with 14 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Matt Surtz led Susquehanna with 91 yards rushing. Josh Ehrlich threw for 73 yards and ran for 49. The Riverhawks finished with 229 yards of offense.
When asked if Susquehanna is the best team he had faced this year, Crocker acknowledged that his team knew that they were going to need to execute in all three phases.
"Their quarterback [Ehrlich] is a super player," he added. "We were very concerned about what they can do offensively. If you had told me we were going to hold them to 220 yards, I would have taken every day. Today, they kind of flipped the script and their defense dominated. That's the mark of a really good team."
Crocker remarked that this year was a major building block in developing Eastern Football into a program. While acknowledging the success and quality of the Susquehanna program that is able to succeed year-in and year-out, Crocker noted that in many ways that was where he wanted the Eagles to be. He also commended the leadership of Brett Nabb.
"You've got to do what you have got to do to win every week, and that is the approach Brett takes. At this point, it starts to take a toll. He has, at times, willed us to where we are. A bunch of guys just followed his lead and got us to where we are today. he is the kind of kid you want to build a program around. We were really lucky to be able to do that with him."
With Eastern in only its third season of varsity competition, Moody is the only Eastern player who is out of college eligibility.
Susquehanna will play at Johns Hopkins in the National Quarterfinals next week. The Riverhawks lost to Hopkins in week three.