Box Score
WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The Lycoming College football team stopped a fourth quarter comeback by Rowan University for an 8-6 victory in the season opener on Saturday afternoon.
Lycoming led, 8-0 late into the fourth period. Cornerback Mark Kinney (sr. Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Twp.) forced a fumble with 1:29 remaining, giving the Profs the ball on the Warriors’ 22 yard line. After a three yard reception by tight end Kevin DelleDonne (sr. Summit, NJ/Summit), quarterback Louie Bianchini (so. West Long Branch, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) completed a 19 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dan Reed (so. Westmont, NJ/Haddon Twp.). Rowan went for the two-point conversion but Bianchini’s pass attempt was incomplete. Lycoming recovered the ensuing on-side kick and ran out the clock.
The Warriors went ahead 3-0 on kicker Zach Czap’s (so. Philipsburg, PA/Philipsburg-Oscelola) 25 yard field goal at 7:52 in the first quarter. In the drive, running back Parker Showers (jr. Aspers, PA/Biglerville) carried the ball six times for 22 yards. Quarterback Zach Klinger (jr. Halifax, PA/Halifax) added 19 yards on three rushes. With 2:07 remaining in the second, Rowan took a safety on a punt attempt to make the score, 5-0. Lycoming took over at its own 48 yard line after the free kick. Showers had three runs totaling 14 yards and a 16 yard face mask penalty gave the Warriors the ball on the Profs’ 22 yard line. After a three yard pass by Klinger, Czap nailed a 36 yard field goal to increase the lead to 8-0 at halftime.
Showers finished the game with 94 yards rushing on 28 carries. Klinger completed seven of 14 passes for 45 yards. He tacked on 26 yards on the ground with 11 touches. Wideout Jarrin Campman (jr. Clearfield, PA/Clearfield) made three receptions for 23 yards.
Lycoming held Rowan to 115 yards of total offense, 80 passing and 35 rushing. Linebacker Kabongo Bukasa (so. Sharon Hill, PA/Academy Park) registered nine tackles (four solo, five assisted) and one sack (-8 yards). Defensive tackle Dwight Hentz (so. Halifax, PA/Halifax) made eight stops (three solo, five assisted) with two tackles for a loss (-16 yards) and one sack (-12 yards). Linebackers Corey Schuster (jr. Moosic, PA/Riverside) and Chris Kish (sr. Wilkes-Barre, PA/G.A.R. Memorial) both had seven tackes (one solo, six assisted).
For Rowan, Bianchini threw for 80 yards and one touchdown with seven completions in 14 attempts. Running back Art Wright (jr. Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) ran for 32 yards on 15 carries, while running back Matt Dortch (fr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) had 10 attempts for 31 yards. Reed hauled in two balls for 29 yards and a touchdown.
The Profs’ defense limited the Warriors to 183 yards of total offense (138 rushing and 45 passing). Linebacker Geno Raman (sr. Mullica Hill, NJ/N. Kingstown (RI)) produced a game-high 11 tackles (four solo, seven assisted). Linebacker Dean Hammel (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) chipped in with nine stops (four solo, five assisted) and one fumble recovery. Safety Eric Sharkey (sr. Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Reg.) and cornerback Brandon Jones (sr. Camden, NJ/Camden Catholic) added six tackles apiece.
Rowan has a bye next week. The Profs return to action for their conference opener at The College at Brockport on Saturday, September 17 at 1:30 p.m.
