THE GAME: For the second time in its first three games, Susquehanna will face a team named the Devils. In this week’s case, the team is the Red Devils as the Crusaders will step out of the Middle Atlantic Conference for the only time this season while traveling to Centennial Conference foe Dickinson for their first road game of the season. Unlike the season-opening Devils of FDU-Madison, Dickinson has had recent success as it is the defending Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference South Region champion and has posted 12-straight non-losing seasons. Susquehanna has 13-straight non-losing seasons and will renew the rivalry with Dickinson after a two-season absence. The Devils have won the last two games in this series, with the last one being a 16-14 decision on September 28, 1996, to ruin Susquehanna’s homecoming. Susquehanna won the biggest game in this rivalry, scoring a 21-20 win at Dickinson in the first-round of the 1991 NCAA Division III playoffs, but Dickinson leads the series 14-5-1. This year’s game features teams coming in on opposite emotional levels – with Susquehanna on the high of its comeback overtime win over King’s Saturday, and Dickinson trying to rebound from decisive loss at Muhlenberg. Ranked 32nd by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette, the Crusaders bring the MAC’s leading rushing (180.5 yards per game) and total (417.5 yards per game) offense, ranking second in total defense (227.0 yards per game). Dickinson is traditionally one of Division III’s top rushing teams, but ranks third (153.0 yards per game) in the Centennial Conference through its first two games. The Red Devils are fifth in total offense (322.0 yards per game) and seventh in total defense (443.5 yards per game) in their conference.
THE COACHES: Tenth-year head coach Steve Briggs is the winningest football coach in Susquehanna history at 63-31 (.670). The NCAA playoff victory was Briggs’ lone win in three tries vs. Dickinson, although he is 5-2 (.714) vs. Centennial Conference foes. He began the season ranked 36th among active D-III coaches in winning percentage. Also a Crusader assistant for two years, he has never suffered a losing season at Susquehanna. Darwin Breaux is in his seventh season as Dickinson head coach and is 22nd on the D-III winning percentage list, now with a record of 45-19-1 (.700). He has led his teams to two Centennial Conference titles, three post-season appearances, and a 2-0 record vs. Susquehanna.
THE CRUSADER OFFENSE (DELAWARE WING-T): Junior halfback Rashonn Drayton (Allentown/Allentown Central Catholic H.S.) is the MAC Offensive Player of the Week, and the team’s Gus Weber Crusader Player of the Week. Drayton rushed for a career high 169 yards on 26 carries and scored the five-yard, go-ahead touchdown in overtime Saturday.The 6-2, 225-pound former prep All-American now leads the MAC in rushing with 194 yards on 38 carries (5.1 avg./97.0 yards per game). He also leads the team in receiving yardage with 147 yards on five catches (29.4 avg.). Former Allentown Central Catholic All-State teammate and senior tri-captain Jose Delgado also rushed for 62 yards on just seven carries (8.9 avg.) with a TD Saturday at halfback. He is second on the team and 10th in the MAC in rushing with 109 yards on 17 carries (6.0 avg./51.0 yards per game). Senior Andy Berwager (Hanover/South Western H.S.) will continue to start at quarterback, despite being relieved at halftime Saturday by freshman Mike Bowman (Northumberland/Shikellamy H.S.). The returning starter, Berwager completed his first eight passes Saturday before finishing 9 of 16 for 101 yards and a touchdown. He is third in the MAC in passing efficiency, completing 16 of 27 passes for 215 yards with two TDs and no picks (150.6 rating). Berwager ranks third all-time at Susquehanna in passing efficiency (121.6 rating). Bowman completed 10 of 23 passes for 145 yards with a touchdown and interception Saturday and is now 10th in MAC passing efficiency – hitting on 18 of 45 passes for 259 yards with two TDs and two INTs (94.1 rating). A converted QB is the top receiver in freshman split end Tim Ronchi (Factoryville/Lackawanna Trail H.S.), who is fourth in the MAC with 11 catches (5.5 per game) for 120 yards. The Crusader offensive line improved upon its week one performance. It returns four starters and averages 6-1, 260 pounds per man.
THE RED DEVIL OFFENSE (MULTIPLE I): Senior Sam Miller and junior Jeffrey Sturgeon combined for a school record 1,462 passing yards last season. Like Susquehanna’s duo, the two have been splitting time again this year – with Miller 9 of 16 (56.3%) for 177 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions, and Sturgeon just 6 of 26 (23.1%) for 161 yards with two TDs and three INTs. Miller was 8 of 14 with a touchdown and all 149 passing yards Saturday at Muhlenberg, while Sturgeon failed to complete any of his nine passes – getting picked off twice. Sturgeon, however, is the team’s leading rusher with 82 yards on 19 carries (4.3 avg.). The two have spread their passes to eight different receivers. Senior wideouts Mike Bright and Dwyne Shoemaker lead that group with three catches for 98 yards (32.7 avg.) and two catches for 105 yards (52.5 avg.) respectively. Four starters, including three All-Centennial players, return along an offensive line which averages just 6-1, 230 pounds per man. Senior guard Jim Reimold leads that group as a returning first-team all-conference pick. While Sturgeon leads the rushing game, sophomore Mike Smith and senior Ben Catanese have alternated at tailback and gained a combined 106 yards on 22 carries (4.8 avg.).
THE CRUSADER DEFENSE (4-3): Sophomore linebacker Troy Sosnovik (Belvidere, N.J./Belvidere H.S.) led the team in tackles vs. King’s with 11, giving him a team high 19 (six solo) this season. Both senior Torrance Cleveland (St. Petersburg, Fla./Dixie Hollins H.S.) and sophomore Division I-AA transfer Dominick DeSteno (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Bergen Catholic H.S.) also had seven (two solo) and six (two solo/one sack) respectively from their linebackers spots. They are now tied for third on the team with 12 tackles apiece, with DeSteno sporting a team high sack-and-a-half. Returning first-team league All-Star and senior tri-captain Denny Bowers (Westminster, Md./Westminster H.S.) is the team leader in tackles for loss with three for 20 lost yards among his five stops (four solo). Sophomore defensive end Frank Hanlon (Mahanoy/Mahanoy Area H.S.) is a transfer from Division II Mansfield and leads the line with eight tackles, including two for losses of 11 yards and a sack. Senior tri-captain and free safety Mario Cromartie (Smyrna, Del./Smyrna H.S.) leads the secondary and is second on the team with 15 stops (seven solo), including a break-up.
THE RED DEVIL DEFENSE (4-4): Dickinson was eighth in Division III last season in scoring defense (10.3 ppg) and 23rd in pass efficiency (89.3 opp. rating), but graduated two All-American and four All-Centennial players from that unit. Senior safety Bob Chesney is the son of last year’s Crusader defensive line coach and is the only secondary starter back. A second-team All-Centennial Conference pick last season and team MVP in ’97, Chesney has 18 tackles (six solo) and an interception this year. His freshman brother Nick is also a starting corner coming from the state championship team at Mt. Carmel. Senior Travis Washko of nearby Danville was a defensive back last year, but is now a linebacker and the team’s tackle leader with 26 (13 solo). Sophomore defensive end Keith Fisher is a returning starter and leads the team’s pass rush with three sacks among his nine tackles.
THE CRUSADER KICK SPECIALISTS: Sophomore punter Ryan Hollis (Mifflin/Juniata H.S.) is third in the MAC )39.8 avg.) and was 19th nationally last year. Freshman Andy Nadler (Westport, Conn./Staples H.S.) is fifth in MAC kick scoring with 11 points (5 of 6 PATS, 2 of 4 FGs).
THE RED DEVIL KICK SPECIALIST: Senior Joel Heintzelman earned All-Centennial Conference honors last year as both a kicker (1st team) and punter (2nd team). He has to be among the Division III leaders this season in field goals, hitting 6 of 7 including a 50-yarder. He also leads the Centennial Conference in punting (39.5 avg.).
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