Beaver Falls, PA - The Geneva College football team ventured into unfamiliar territory on Saturday night with a 27-17 loss to Washington & Jefferson. The Golden Tornadoes fell to 2-7 on the season and dropped their seventh game in a single season for the first time since a 3-7 campaign back in 1978, which was during the Gene Sullivan era. Ironically, Sullivan returned to the sidelines tonight as Geneva′s honorary captain as the school celebrated the 25th anniversary of the NAIA national semi-final team from 1987.
The Golden Tornadoes dropped their third consecutive game despite out gaining the Presidents 386-265. W & J got on the board first with an 8 play, 62 yard touchdown drive in the first quarter. The Golden Tornadoes responded on their next drive with a 12-play, 65 yard march that culminated with a Corey O′Patchen six yard touchdown reception from Zack Hayward.
W & J scored a second quarter touchdown before the two teams shared field goal scoring drives. Geneva′s Bryan Visingardi connected from 37 yards away before halftime.
The Presidents took control of the game with ten points in the third quarter to take a 27-10 advantage into the final stanza. O′Patchen capped the Geneva scoring for the night with another touchdown from three yards away from Hayward. Geneva missed a field goal and was stopped on downs twice in the red zone in the second half.
Rocco Colavechia led Geneva′s ground game with 13 carries for 78 yards. Dylan Jones also had a solid night with 62 yards on 13 carries. Through the air, Hayward was 23-49 for 197 yards and a pair of touchdowns. O′Patchen became Geneva′s fourth all-time leading receiver with his 118 yard effort on seven catches and a pair of scores.
On defense, Dillon Goodell may have been the player of the game as the junior linebacker was all over the field with 13 tackles on the night to continue his PAC lead for the season. Tyler French had eight tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Geneva will close out the 2012 season next Saturday at home against Westminster at 1 pm. The Golden Tornadoes will recognize the 12 seniors that comprise the 2012 senior class prior to the kickoff.
Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College′s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).
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