Susquehanna 51, WPI 21

Box Score      

Worcester, MA --- The Susquehanna football team scored 30 unanswered points to close out the first half en route to a resounding 51-21 road win over WPI in Liberty League football action on Saturday afternoon.  With the victory, the Crusaders improve to 4-5 overall while the Engineers fall to 6-3 on the season.  Both squads are now 3-3 in conference play. 

After WPI took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a Justin Wells (Jay, ME) to Cody McGregor (Westfield, MA) 93-yard touchdown pass, the Crusaders took control of the game.  Running back Dave Paveletz (Warrior Run, PA) scored his first of three touchdowns on a 3-yard scamper to close out the first quarter scoring. 

Susquehanna scored the first of its 23 second quarter points on a safety as Jarrid Myers (Easton, PA) tackled the WPI ball carrier in the end zone.  After the ensuing free kick, the Crusaders embarked upon a 10-play, 61-yard drive capped by a Tony McIntosh (Avondale, PA) 2-yard TD plunge midway through the quarter.  SU then scored a pair of touchdowns in the final 68 seconds of the half when Paveletz grabbed a 7-yard touchdown pass from Derek Pope (Selins Grove, PA) before John Lunardi (Exton, PA) picked up a blocked punt by Keith Howell (North Braddock, PA) and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.

WPI tried to muster a comeback in the third quarter, forcing the Crusaders to punt on their opening series before Wells scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper to slice the advantage to 30-14.  Susquehanna quickly responded behind rushing touchdowns from Paveletz, Charlie Henry (Toms River, NJ) and Greg Tellish (Mount Airy, MD) on three of its next four possessions to cruise to the victory.   The Engineers closed out the scoring when Mike Swanton found R.C. Grady (Shirley, MA) on a 5-yard touchdown strike in the final minute. 

Paveletz ended the day with 160 yards on 30 carries and two rushing touchdowns. McIntosh and Tellish added to the potent running attack with 77 and 61 yards respectively. Pope connected on 17-of-27 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. Jim Owen (Harrisburg, PA) hauled in a team-best four catches for 170 yards.

McGregor was the offensive star for WPI, catching seven balls for a career-high 207 yards. Grady chipped in with five catches for 55 yards, while Wells added 230 yards through the air and 78 yards on the ground. Freshman Ernie Mello (Wilmington, MA) gave the home crowd something to cheer about when he ripped off a 66-yard run in the fourth quarter on his only carry of the game.

Susquehanna was paced by a balanced defensive effort. Andy LeClerc (Apple Valley, CA) notched a team best five tackles, including one for a 13-yard loss. Marc McDonough (Kingston, PA) forced a pair of fumbles, while Dan Golais (Johnstown, PA) forced and recovered a fumble. Lunardi, who chipped in with two pass breakups, teamed with Golais to do an outstanding job on special teams, replacing the starting kicker and punter, Bobby Eppleman (Chester Springs, PA), who missed the game with illness. Golais connected on all seven of his PAT's while Lunardi's punt to the 2 yard line set up the second quarter safety.

Andrew Sides (Acton, MA) had a strong day on defense for WPI. The senior preseason All-American collected a game-best 12 tackles to go along with an interception and a pass breakup. Sophomore Adam Power (Tewksbury, MA) added 9 tackles.

The two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense with the visitors enjoying a 560-453 advantage.  The Crusaders picked up 31 of the game's 45 first downs and held a decisive 40:45 to 19:15 edge in time of possession.

Both teams will close out the 2008 season next Saturday.  WPI ventures to Canton, NY for a noon contest at St. Lawrence while Susquehanna entertains Union at 1pm.