Beaver Falls, PA - Emotions were running high as the 2011 football season opened for Geneva College and Frostburg State on Saturday night at Reeves Field. The Golden Tornadoes had defeated Frostburg in each of the last two season openers, but the Bobcats turned the tables on Geneva this year with a 34-21 setback to open the new campaign. Playing with heavy hearts, Frostburg State was playing its first game without senior captain Derrick Sheely, who had passed away after a practice earlier this week. With their teammate still in their minds, Frostburg put its 2-8 record in the rear view mirror from last season and picked up a victory in the season opener.
The Bobcats jumped on Geneva early with a pair of Patrick Pinchinat first quarter touchdowns. Pinchinat scored on a 48 yard run on the first drive of the game then reeled off a 73 yard touchdown reception to give Frostburg State a 14-0 lead. The Golden Tornadoes quickly responded with a pair of touchdowns of their own. Jordan Curry capped a ten play, 80 yard drive with a one yard plunge to cut the lead in half before AJ Delmonico pulled in a 33 yard pass from Zack Hayward to tie the game early in the second quarter.
Frostburg State scored late in the first half to stretch its lead to seven points and put the game away with the two more scores in the second half, including Pinchinat′s third touchdown of the game. Geneva′s final touchdown of the game came on a 30 yard pass play from Hayward to Corey O′Patchen. Making his first collegiate start, Hayward was 23-42 for 299 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Following the graduation of all-time leading rusher Gerard Muschette, Geneva struggled with its ground game with only 49 yards on 31 carries. Jordan Curry led the ground attack with 25 yards on 18 carries.
Geneva′s defense was led by the trio of Dillon Goodell, Marcus Costanza and Scott Erb, each of which tallied seven tackles for the game. Erb also came away with the only takeaway of the game with a third quarter fumble recovery.
Delmonico was Geneva′s offensive leader with eight receptions for 109 yards and the one touchdown.
The Golden Tornadoes will take to the road for two straight as they will visit Albright College next week before opening up PAC play at three-time defending champion Thomas More on September 17th. Geneva returns to Reeves Field on September 24th to face Bethany College at 7 pm.
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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