September 22, 2007 - Geneva College
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September 22, 2007

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Van Zanic

Director of Sports Information

(724) 847-6886

vgzanic@geneva.edu

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2007

HAPPY HOME OPENER, GENEVAUPENDS BETHANY

Beaver Falls, PA - For the first time in Geneva′s 118-year history, the Golden Tornadoes played a home game on a synthetic surface. Geneva opened its home season on Saturday night and did so by beginning a new era of football on its new home field and as a new member of the Presidents′ Athletic Conference and NCAA Division III. Geneva came away from its home opener with an overall record of 3-1 after defeating previously undefeated Bethany by the score of 28-13.

Bethany was coming off of a 66-7 victory over St. Vincent, in which it racked up close to 700 yards of offense, most of which came on the ground. On Saturday night, Geneva′s defense stymied the Bethany running game and held the Bison to just 67 yards on 27 carries.

Geneva′s running game was in full swing and freshman Gerard Muschette got the offense going with a 1 yard plunge midway through the first quarter. Muschette gained 68 first quarter yards before leaving with an ankle injury. The running game didn′t miss a beat with freshmen Matt Dean and Matt Curry. In fact, Geneva combined for 339 yards on 65 carries. Dean had his first 100-yard game with 102 net yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.

Bethany′s Taylor McNeil caught a 21-yard pass from Milton Joyner, but the extra point was blocked to salvage a 7-6 Geneva lead in the second quarter. Prior to halftime, Bobby Bondi ran in from seven yards out and Matt Dean fell on a fumble in the end zone as Geneva took a 21-6 lead into the half.

After Matt Cruse caught an 11-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, Luke Duriancik sealed the victory with a six-yard scamper in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

In addition to Muschette′s injury, senior quarterback Bobby Bondi went down with a leg injury and didn′t return in the second half. Replacement David Girardi completed just one second half pass, but ran the offense brilliantly in the victory.

Geneva′s defense again stole the show and was led by leading tacklers Brad Roman, Zach Feltrop and Dan Terracciano with 6.5 tackles each. Richard Kolesar had his second interception in as many games and Geneva′s defense also came up with a pair of sacks.

Geneva will continue its three-game home stand next weekend when it welcomes NCAA Division I-AA LaSalle University to Reeves Field for a 4:00 pm homecoming kickoff.

Sep 22, 2007