Ursinus picks up first win of season

COLLEGEVILLE >> The Ursinus College football team brought the thunder on a rainy afternoon and celebrated Homecoming 2016 by earning its first victory of the season, defeating Susquehanna 31-24 in Saturday. The Bears built a commanding 31-3 lead at halftime and the defense made big stops late in the game to come away with the victory.

Freshman quarterback Thomas Garlick was named the recipient of the Kenneth E. Walker Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player who displayed great sportsmanship and athletic ability in the Homecoming game. The trophy has been handed out to student-athletes since the 1957 season in honor of Ursinus College Hall of Famer Ben Maliken. Garlick completed 18 of 31 pass attempt for 186 yards and a touchdown, adding an additional 101 yards and a score on the ground.

After punting away their first two possessions, Garlick drove the Bears 73-yards down the field and capped the drive with a 10-yard rushing score to take an early 7-3 lead. Garlick connected with Carmen Foritno three times on the drive for a total of 36 yards. Fortino led all recievers with nine catches and 95 yards. Stacey Gardner and Corey Kelly rushed 25 times for a combined 103 yards. Gardner added two touchdowns on the day.

Susquehanna fumbled their next possession and set the Bears up with perfect field position at the River Hawks 26. After a pass to Fortino brought them to the 13-yard line, Gardner ran for his first touchdown of the day. In less than two minutes the Bears turned a three-to-nothing deficit into a two-possession game.

After forcing a punt, Garlick and the offense marched for 80 yards and a score. The quarterback finished the drive by finding Shawn Hackett in the back of the endzone for a 28-yard score.

The momentum continued as the Bears defense forced another fumble that would result in a Nick Ford field goal and a 24-3 lead with little over four minutes remaining in the half.

Ursinus is now 1-5 in the Centennial, 1-6 overall.