Susquehanna 8, WPI 7
Worcester, MA --- Junior quarterback Derek Pope
(Selinsgrove, PA) flicked a two-yard touchdown to receiver
Nick Macia (Hampton, NJ) with no time remaining in
the fourth quarter and found Macia again for the game-winning two
point conversion as visiting Susquehanna stunned WPI 8-7 on a windy
and rain-filled Saturday afternoon.
The win was the first Liberty League victory for the Crusaders,
who began conference play this fall. Susquehanna improves to
2-7 on the season and 1-5 in the Liberty League while the Engineers
drop to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
The game was a hard-fought defensive battle with the remnants of
Hurricane Noel providing a heavy, wind-swept rain throughout the
contest. The game was scoreless until the fourth quarter when
WPI embarked upon a methodical 80-yard drive that lasted 9 minutes
and 24 seconds. Aided by a key fourth and four-yard double
reverse by receiver Mike Butler (Athol, MA) to the
SU 12, quarterback Rob Pantalone (Camp Hill, PA)
scored on a one-yard plunge on third and goal. Freshman kicker
Ben Carter (East Providence) converted the extra
point to give the Engineers a 7-0 lead with 5:23 remaining in the
game.
After the teams traded turnovers and failed fourth-down
conversations, the Crusaders took over on their own 42 yard line
with 2:08 remaining and no timeouts. Pope, who until the
final drive, had not completed a pass on the day, connected on 28
and 23-yard plays to receiver J.J. Moran
(Pottsville, PA) to bring the ball down to the WPI 2. After
Pope spiked the ball to stop the clock, Susquehanna tried to pound
it in twice with work-horse running back Dave
Paveletz (Warrior Run, PA) but was stopped both times for
no gain. With the clock continuing to run, Pope went to the a
play-action pass to Macia, who corralled the ball in the back of
the end zone as time expired.
After a WPI timeout, Susquehanna elected to go for the win and
converted the two-point conversation when Pope rolled right and
found Macia in the back of the right side of the end zone for the
game-winning points.
The wild fourth quarter overshadowed both teams' defensive
efforts. After Susquehanna open the contest with three first
downs on its drive and WPI countered with one of their own on its
opening possession, the two teams combined to go three-and-out on
the next nine possessions. The Crusaders enjoyed the best
scoring opportunity of the first half when then took advantage of a
botched snap on a punt and downed the hurried kick at the WPI 18.
The Crimson and Gray defense stiffened and SU's attempt at a
37-yard field goal was aborted due to a bad snap.
On the day the teams tallied a total of just 21 first downs with
WPI enjoying a slight edge in total offense
(201-187).
The Crusaders were led by Pavelez, who rushed a season-high 35
times for 107 yards. Linebacker Nate Moore
(Selinsgrove, PA) paced the Crusaders defensive attack with 10 solo
tackles while Dan Golias (Johnston, PA) chipped in
with eight stops, including 2.5 for loss.
The WPI defense played a remarkable game with linebacker
Micheal Toto (Agawam, MA) amassing eight tackles
and effectively ending two drives with stops on fourth down. Senior
Matt Boudreau (Rensselaer, NY) led the Engineers
with a game-high 11 tackles while Jimmy Bellafatto
(Braintree, MA) had six stops (two for loss) on the day. Defensive
back Andrew Sides (Acton, MA) also finished the
game with two interceptions and six tackles.
On offense, freshman running back Manny Cambra
(Bethel, CT) and Pantalone combined for 29 rushes and 67 and 66
yards on the ground respectively.
Both teams with close out the 2007 season with contests next
Saturday. WPI will travel to Canton, NY to take on St.
Lawrence at noon while Susquehanna will host the United States
Merchant Marine Academy at 1:30pm.
Story written by Athletics Intern Steven M. Miller, Jr
