Geneva College Golden Tornadoes (0-1)
vs.
Salisbury University Sea Gulls (1-0)
Saturday, September 13th @ 6:00 pm
Sea Gull Stadium
Geneva will be heading to the Maryland coast this weekend but not for vacation. The Golden Tornadoes will be going up against 12th ranked D-III Salisbury University. Geneva will be looking to rebound from Saturday′s 27-18 loss at the hands of Seton Hill. The Golden Tornadoes will be looking to build on the second half of the Seton Hill game that saw them outscore the Griffins 12-0. Geneva will be looking for more plays like Gerard Mushette′s 76 yard touchdown run and less plays like the other 32 rushing attempts that netted just 42 yards. Quarterback David Girardi was effective going 18-31, but he will want to have more than 163 passing yards against Salisbury.
On the defensive side, Geneva got a solid peformance from junior linebacker Aaron Tommelleo who had a team high 16 tackles in the loss to Seton Hill. The GTs also got intercpetions from senior linebacker Dan Terracciano and senior defensive back Derek McElhaney. Those interceptions were part of the three turnovers that Geneva′s defense created on the night. Geneva will be looking to give up less than the 265 yards it allowed to Seton Hill on Saturday, but it can hang its hat on the second half shut out of the Griffins.
Salisbury University squeaked out a 30-28 victory against Albright College to start it′s season on a good note. Like Geneva, the Sea Gulls have a three headed monster for a running attack. However, unlike Geneva, Sailsbury′s monster amassed 380 yards on the ground against Albright. Bryan Woolson led the Sea Gulls with 112 yards on just nine carries and he added two touchdowns as well. Shelby Fisher gave them 101 yards. Quarterback Ronnie Curley also chipped in with 71 yards on the ground. If there is a weakness it is that Salisbury only passed for 16 yards on just four attempts against Albright College.
Salisbury′s rushing defense was on top of it′s game against Albright. It allowed 38 yards on 30 attempts for a measley 1.3 yards per carry. However, the Sea Gulls defense did allow Albright College to pass for 224 yards last Saturday. With numbers like that, Geneva′s offense may become one dimenisonal against Salisbury which will suit senior wide receiver Luke Duriancik just fine. Duriancik led Geneva with five receptions in the opening game against Seton Hill.
Geneva is going to Sailsbury this year after Salisbury visited Reeves Field in 2007. In last year′s game, the Golden Tornadoes were competitive against the Sea Gulls but they wound up dopping a 20-7 decision. Geneva forced Salisbury to commit 11 penalties and two fumbles in last year′s game. The GT′s only allowed the Sea Gulls 267 yards rushing, which was well off of their average of over 400 yards coming into the contest. Geneva got good performances from wide receivers Luke Duriancik and Brian Dvorask who led the team with six receptions apiece. Geneva′s lone touchdown came via the legs of Matt Curry on an eight yard scamper. Salisbury broke open a 7-7 halftime lead with 13 third quarter points.
Saturday′s game will be the first night football game in Salisbury University history. Geneva will have a bye next week but will return to action on September 27th at Thiel College. The Golden Tornadoes next home game will be the homecoming game against Washington and Jefferson on October 4th. The Sea Gulls will stay at home next week to battle Christopher Newport.
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