Box Score
(Selinsgrove, Pa.) – What started out looking like it would be a defensive struggle turned into a shootout as Susquehanna University scored a late touchdown and held on for a thrilling, but heartbreaking 42-35 win over visiting Dickinson on Saturday.
The Red Devils forced a turnover to start the game as senior Pat Schlecker (Wilmington, Del./Wilmington Friends) intercepted Nick Crusco at the Dickinson 30 yard line to stall the Crusaders' opening drive.
Three punts later, Susquehanna scored on a 67 yard pass from Caruso to Patrick Caruso. The duo teamed up again to start the second quarter, capping a four minute drive with a two yard toss for a 14-0 lead.
The Devils were forced to punt but sophomore Bryan Latorraca (Stamford, Conn./St. Luke's School) picked-off Crusco again to give Dickinson the ball on the Susquehanna 36 yard line. Cedric Madden (Norristown, Pa./Chestnut Hill Academy) covered 13 yards on the ground and James Ward (Hatfield, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) caught a 19 yard pass from senior David Clemens (Shillington, Pa./Governor Mifflin) to move the ball to the seven yard line. A facemask penalty set up a three-yard scoring run by Madden to put the Devils on the board.
The Crusaders answered on the next drive as Crusco ran in from the five yard line to give the hosts a 21-7 advantage, with 4:34 to play in the first half.
Anders Overhaug (Yarmouth, Maine/Yarmouth) caught a 10 yard pass and broke for runs of 20 and 24 yards to set up another touchdown as Madden found pay-dirt for the second time on the day, cutting the deficit to 21-14, heading into halftime.
Dickinson pulled even on the opening drive of the second half. Ward returned the kick-off 27 yards to put the Devils on their own 30. Ward had another big catch, covering 17 yards to the Susquehanna seven yard line. Overhaug had another big series, running for 37 yards and a four-yard touchdown to knoi the game, with 11:21 to play in the third.
Crusco tossed a 20 yard touchdown pass to Devon Pascoe to quickly regain the lead, 3:26 later with a nine-play drive.
Following a pair of punts, Susquehanna capitalized on a fumble recovery to take possession on the Dickinson four yard line. Crusco dove in from the one to give the Crusaders a two-score advantage with 3:44 to go in the quarter.
Senior Brent Scardapane (New York, N.Y./Xavier) caught a 26 yard pass and the Devils went to Overhaug again. The senior added another 40 yards, including a 20 yard touchdown run to pull Dickinson within a touchdown.
The defense held, forcing SU to punt with the Devils taking possession on their own 16 yard line. Clemens put together some nice runs but ran into a 4th-and-8 on the Dickinson 33. Senior Teddy Airoldi (Bethlehem, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) gave the Devils new life with a 64-yard run down the left sideline to the Crusaders' three yard line.
Overhaug pounded his way in to tie the game again, with 7:59 remaining in regulation.
Susquehanna would grind out a time consuming drive and score the go ahead touchdown with 2:21 left to play. Joe Scaglia picked-off a pass and the Crusaders worked the clock as best they could, punting to the Dickinson 39 yard line with just two seconds on the clock.
Clemens heaved the ball to the end zone but Phillip Madison knocked the pass away to preserve the win.
Crusco finished 24-for-37, throwing for 287 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 65 more and three TDs. Cutillo caught 10 passes for 122 yards and two TDs.
Overhaug went over the century mark for the second straight week, rushing for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Madden finished with 78 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. Clemens went 9-for-16 with 103 yards and ran for another 47 on the day. Ward made three catches for 43 yards and covered another 100 yards on four kick-off returns.
Airoldi led the Devils with nine tackles while Matt Butz (Monkton, Md./Hereford) added an interception to six tackles, giving the Devils three picks on the day. Jason Dones (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) and Jake Myers (Middletown, Del./St. Andrew's) joined Latorraca to record seven tackles.
The Red Devils slip to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the Centennial Conference. They return to Biddle Field next Saturday for Homecoming and Hall of Fame weekend, hosting Moravian College at 1:00 pm.
