Box Score Box Score
SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Susquehanna scored 21 points in the second quarter and Dave Paveletz rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Crusaders to a 35-30 victory over Rensselaer in a Liberty League football game. Paveletz carried the ball 36 times and caught a 14-yard pass in helping Susquehanna improve to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the league. RPI falls to 3-2 and 1-2.
The Engineers were led by junior running back
Nick Costa (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep.), who carried the ball 14 times for 116 yards and a touchdown. Freshman
Mike Hermann (Hardeeville, SC/Avon Old Farms (CT) added three touchdown passes and 237 yards throwing, while running for 42 yards. Defensively,
Joe Albano (Dalton, MA/Wahconah Regional) made 14 tackles, including 11 unassisted, with a pass breakup.
Tim Acker (Arlington, WA/Arlington) had 11 total tackles (8 solos).
For the second straight game, Rensselaer scored on its opening drive when Hermann found senior
Mike Fil (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) for a 36-yard strike. Susquehanna came back with the next three scores, however - all touchdowns - for a 21-7 lead at 6:25 of the second quarter. RPI answered with a 28-yard TD pass from Hermann to
Pat McCarthy (Strafford, NH/Spaulding) 1:24 later but Paveletz's second touchdown run of the half gave the home team a 28-14 advantage. Engineers senior
Peter Nilson (Appleton, WI/Kimberly) hit a 25-yard field goal at the end of the second quarter to cut RPI's deficit to 11 points, 28-17.
Costa broke off a 49-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter but Paveletz scored from a yard out early in the fourth quarter. Hermann's third TD pass, a 28-yarder to freshman
Austin Caswell (Round Rock, TX/Stony Point), late in the fourth quarter capped the scoring as the Crusaders ran out the clock.
In addition to Paveletz, Susquehanna's Rich Palazzi, a quarterback, and J.J. Moran, a receiver, both had strong performances. Palazzi completed 17 of 24 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns, while Moran had six receptions for 102 yards and a score.
RPI returns to the East Campus Stadium for its next game, October 24, to face league foe St. Lawrence (1pm).
