By Tyler Fennell
Staff Writer
The College’s football team started their season with an impressive 27-24 road win against Lycoming College in head coach Tyler Moody’s debut.
The College had a huge day, registering 380 yards of total offense, with 279 yards coming from rushing and 101 yards through the air.
Sophomore kicker Tim Willever opened up the scoring with a 22-yard field goal. On the second Lycoming drive, the Lions' defense made a huge play with senior Justin Kurc intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown. Lycoming responded with a quick touchdown to make it 10-7 when the first quarter came to a close.
In the second quarter, the college forced a safety and got two points to make the score 12-7. On the ensuing possession, senior running back Joe Visaggio scored a touchdown to cap a great drive from the College to put them ahead by multiple scores. Not going away easy, Lycoming scored a touchdown of their own in response, and got the extra point to make the score 18-14. Willever closed out the first half with a 40-yard field goal attempt to make the score 21-14 going into the second half.
Out of the half, the Lycoming defense stymied the College, and was the only team that scored in the third quarter, getting a touchdown and the extra point to tie the game 21-21 going into the final period of play.
In the fourth, Lycoming took its first lead of the game with a field goal. Trailing 24-21, senior quarterback Kyle Vellis completed a 42-yard passing touchdown to senior wide receiver Erik Garv, who made a spectacular diving catch to make the score 27-24 with two minutes to go.
It was a huge first win for the College, which outgained Lycoming both through the air and on the ground. Despite them having an unsuccessful third quarter and giving up the lead in the fourth, they managed to come back at the end to secure an important road win to start the season strong. While the rushing offense mostly carried the rest of the game, the college probably doesn’t walk away with a win without Vellis and Garv connecting for that 42-yard touchdown.
The College returns with its home opener Saturday, Sept. 13th, against Wilkes. Both teams go into Saturday 1-0, meaning one of these teams will get their first loss of the season.
