Geneva College Athletics

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – Saturday's season opener on Saturday afternoon against Widener on Reeves Field wasn't always smooth at times, but the Geneva College football team found a way to overcome a halftime deficit, led in large part by a tremendous defensive effort and a late defensive stand, to pick up a 21-14 win and give new Head Coach Tom Contenta his first career victory.  Saturday's win also marks the first time since 2013 that the football team opened its season with a victory.

The Golden Tornadoes came into this season with a lot of fanfare.  Geneva boasts one of the best returning quarterbacks in all of NCAA Division III in senior Caleb Romano, who broke most of Geneva's single-season passing records last year while also passing for the most yards in the regular season in Presidents' Athletic Conference history.  The Golden Tornadoes also welcomed in a Coach Contenta to lead the program after the 33-year head coaching tenure of Geno DeMarco ended last season.

However, it was a bumpy first half for Romano and the Geneva offense, and it was the defense that proved to be the star of the contest for the Golden Tornadoes.  Geneva received the opening kickoff and the offense went three-and-out.  The GT defense forced a punt, but the Widener punter pinned Geneva deep at the three-yard line.  Two plays later Romano's pass was intercepted and returned ten yards for a touchdown to give the Pride the early lead.

Geneva's offense could never find a rhythm in the first half as the Golden Tornadoes work to replace their top three wide receivers from last year and their top two running backs.

Fortunately for the Golden Tornadoes, the defense was sterling in the first half.  Geneva's defense did not give up a single point to the Widener offense in the first two quarters, keeping the game within reach as the Geneva offense committed three turnovers in the opening half and was responsible for the Pride's lone score.  Widener headed into the halftime break leading 7-0.

The halftime proved to be a welcome reset opportunity for the offense, and Geneva finally got things going in the second half.  On the Golden Tornadoes' second drive of the half, Romano found junior wide receiver Dayne Johnke streaking down the sideline and hit him in stride for a 39-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7-7.

The Geneva defense immediately forced another three-and-out, and Romano proceeded to move the offense down the field for another touchdown, this one on a two-yard rush from junior running back Liam Gibson.  That gave the Golden Tornadoes their first lead of the game after the nine-play, 75-yard drive.

The only defensive blemish of the game came on Widener's next drive when, on third-and-five, receiver Jaelen Richardson got behind the secondary and hauled in a 70-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

Romano was picked off for the third time in the game on Geneva's next possession, but the defense again came up big by forcing another Widener three-and-out.  After the teams traded empty possessions, Geneva caught a break when Widener's punter shanked a one-yard punt, giving the Golden Tornadoes the ball at the Pride's 21-yard line.

The winning score didn't come easily though.  The Golden Tornadoes had to convert a fourth-and-one on their first set of downs, and then on third-and-goal from the one-yard line, Romano plunged in with just under three minutes remaining.

Widener had one final chance to pull even, and the Pride put together a good drive, converting one fourth-and-long before moving down to the Geneva 19-yard line.  However, the Golden Tornadoes defense rose up one final time, forcing three incompletions to move to fourth down with 27 seconds left.  On the penultimate play, junior Ry'Shaun Johnson stripped Widener quarterback Corey Schock on a scramble, and junior Wyman Shaheen recovered the fumble to seal the victory.  One kneel down by Romano finished off the game, 21-14.

"The players and coaching staff never stopped working," said Contenta after the game, despite the slow start.  "We made a few adjustments and it paid off for us at the end.  The defense was so impressive all game.  The defensive front controlled the run game and there was relentless pressure on their quarterback all day.  I couldn't be more proud of our guys.

"Our team verse this year is Philippians 4:13, and our motto is 'Through Him'," continued Contenta.  "We give praise and glory to the Lord, and it was a great first win, a great team win."

The defense was led by junior Noah Hutcherson and sophomore Christian Hunter, who each finished with ten tackles, including 3.0 tackles-for-loss and four quarterback hurries by Hutcherson.  Senior Coltin Hill was in the backfield for much of the game, posting eight tackles and two sacks.  In fact, the Geneva defense finished with five sacks, eleven QB hurries and 11.0 TFLs.

Offensively, after a sluggish start, Romano finished with 335 yards passing, with one passing and one rushing touchdown.  Johnke was Romano's primary target, finishing with career highs of 11 catches and 161 yards, along with the touchdown.  Sophomore Brady Davis added four catches for 76 yards.

Geneva will head out onto the road next week for a 7:00 p.m. start at Shenandoah, the last non-conference game of the season before conference play begins.