September 21, 2013 - Geneva College
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September 21, 2013

For the first time in eight years, Geneva was home for a third time in a row hosting PAC rival Thiel Tomcats. Geneva defeated the Tomcats 49-28 rising their record to 3-0, 2-0 in the PAC

Beaver Falls, PA - The Golden Tornadoes enjoyed the rare opportunity to play their third consecutive game at home to open the 2013 season. Geneva rolled past Thiel 49-28 racking up a 3-0 overall record, 2-0 in the conference play.

Geneva managed 454 yards of total offense over Thiel′s 315 yards. Starting off the list of offensive plays for the Golden Tornadoes was Rocco Colavecchia with a five yard run in less than two minutes into the game. Thiel attempted to match Geneva but Geneva′s special teams got around the Tomcats creating a blocked kick, keeping Thiel behind by one. Thiel would not score again until the middle of the second quarter. In the mean time, the Golden Tornadoes stacked up a 28-6 lead.

Down 22 points, Thiel kept the game interesting tying the game with a pile up of 22 straight points. After the ten minute mark in the second quarter Geneva′s offensive developed butter fingers. Geneva handed Thiel five total fumbles in the night′s action. Thiel took the gift and ran with it - literally. Tomcat Josh Potter rushed for a total of 121 yards. In other Thiel offensive plays, Bill Frizzi received a total of 62 yards followed by Tim Walker with 52 yards. Quarterbacks Ander Smith threw 64 yards and Ryan Radke 65 yards.

"Tonight our defense played outstanding" says Head Coach Geno DeMarco. "With everything we did to hurt ourselves, the defense stepped up and responded."

Responding to the alarming 28-28 scoreboard, the defensive allowed the offensive to continue to get back on the field. Lemuel Fuller and Zack Hayward connected for the second wind Geneva needed. Hayward threw a 81 yard pass and Fuller finished the play bolting into the End Zone. The nine play 55 yard drive gave the GT′s the momentum to finish strong.

"These are the kind of games you never want to have to live through, but our guys responded" commented DeMarco. In the end, Hayward gained yards in the air and on the ground rushing for 100 yards and passing for 248 yards. Dylan Jones followed Hayward with 71 yards rushed and Colavecchia with 58 yards and three touchdowns. Fuller led receiving with 137 yards and finding two touchdowns. DeMarco ended by noting, "It took a lot of resolve to score the next 21 points of the game. That is what builds character right there."

The defense that would not stop was led by John Onufer′s 14 tackles (10 solo, 4 assists) and 1.0 TFL-2 yards combined with Dillon Goodell′s 11 total tackles (5 solo, 6 assists) and 0.5 TFL-2 yards.

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).

Sep 21, 2013