CARLISLE, Pa. - The Dickinson football team had a promising opening drive, but could not get things going after that as the visiting Susquehanna University River Hawks spoiled the Red Devils home opener with a 45-0 win on Saturday afternoon at Biddle Field.

Dickinson started the game with the ball and after passes from Matt Maiona of 13, 11, and 9 yards to the duo of Johnny Knight and Bryce Peterson the Red and White were set up first-and-ten on the SU38. Then, on second down Princeton Douglass took off around the right side for 11 yards to setup on the SU27. Unfortunately, after then DC went four and out as Maiona was sacked for a loss of three on fourth down. The defense was strong on their first opportunity as they forced the Hawks to go three-and-out leading to a punt. On the ensuing Devils march Diante Ball picked up gains of 1, 5, and 13 to help move the drive to the SU42. A 11 completion to Knight made it first down just outside the red zone. Unfortunately, Ball fumbled on the next play giving the visitors first down on their own 27. The River Hawks then went eight plays and 73 yards with Michael Ruisch finding Michael Lefever for a five-yard TD (Elijah Hoffman kick). 

Another Devils punt put Susquehanna 95 yards away from the house early in the second, but then it became the Frankie Negrini show as he rushed six times on the drive before punching it home from four yards out to make it 14-0. The next River Hawks possession went primarily through the air as Ruisch threw seven times completing five, prior to Hunter Coulter walked in from three away extending the margin to 21-0 at the half. 

The first drive of the second half saw the Hawks go five plays and 75 yards leading to a Ruisch TD pass to Kyle Howes from 21 yards away pushing the margin to 28-0. On the next Devils try Ball rushed for one, before Maiona was sacked for a 13-yard loss. Then, on the ensuing play he was picked off by John Nicosia to put the Hawks on the DC20. Five plays later Negrini hit paydirt from eight-yards away. The visitors also added a 43-yard field goal from Hoffman in the period to take a 38-0 lead to the fourth. 

Brayden Knoblauch capped the scoring midway into the final quarter with a one-yard strike to Chris Bookter. Rocco DiRico got two drives under center for the Red and White, but was picked off once and stalled out on the other drive after hitting Bobby Markey for nine yards. 

The busy DC defense was led by nine tackles for Alex Sulin, while Tanner Long and Neville Krueger each had eight. Bram Leys and Ellis Tompkins were also busy recording seven and six stops on the day. 

Next on the Field
Dickinson (1-3, 1-2 Centennial) will try to get back to winning ways next Saturday when they head to Westminster, Maryland to battle McDaniel College at 1pm in a Centennial Conference clash.  Read Full Article