Michael Ruisch connected with Mitch Carsley on a 45-yard Hail Mary throw into the end zone in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to force overtime and Aaron Speight capped off an incredible day by rushing for the game winning touchdown as the Susquehanna University Football team defeated Ursinus College 41-35 in thrilling fashion Saturday afternoon in Collegeville.

The River Hawks (4-3 Overall, 3-3 Centennial) would find themselves trailing early, surrendering two touchdowns to the Bears (4-3, 3-3) and trailing 14-0 early in the second quarter.

The team would capitalize on great field position after a short punt halfway through the second quarter, with Speight punching in a 10-yard touchdown run to cut the lead in half at 14-7.

Susquehanna would soon tie up the score after getting the ball back after another Ursinus punt.

Nicholas Brotzman highlighted the drive with a 29-yard completion to Kyle Good before Speight scored another rushing touchdown, this one being a 20-yard run.

Coming out of the locker room with the game tied at 14, the River Hawks were able to score the only touchdown of the third quarter after receiving great field position.

Already at the Ursinus 38-yard line after a twelve-yard punt return by Good, a pass interference call followed by an assortment of rushing attempts by Speight brought the River Hawks to the 4-yard line and Ruisch connected with Anthony McCoy to give the team its first lead of the game.

The Bears would bring the score to 21-20 in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard rushing touchdown (and a failed extra point attempt) but the River Hawks came back and scored a touchdown of their own on a pass to Good to build the lead to 28-20.

Ursinus made a late game run and scored two touchdowns to retake the lead. The first score came on an 8-yard run and the Bears converted the two-point conversion to tie the game before scoring another rushing touchdown with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Mike Brown gave the River Hawks a shot at getting into the end zone by reaching midfield.

After a few short gains, it was time to take a shot at the end zone and Ruish connected with Carsley for an incredible long touchdown play, as Carsley out jumped two defenders and wrestled the ball away from several Bears trying to rip the ball out of his hands.

Elijah Hoffman converted the extra point and the two teams entered overtime tied at 35.

The River Hawk defense went on the field first in overtime and they made a key defensive stop highlighted by tackles from Cole Dixon and L'Trell Bradley. Ursinus opted to go for a first down on 4^th and 3 and were unable to convert.

With the ball in hand and needing a score to come out victorious, the River Hawks went right back to Speight as he took carries in five of the teams six plays. On first and goal, Speight carried the ball in from the 4-yard line and the River Hawks won a thriller, 41-35.

Speight finished with an incredible 6.7 yards per carry, finishing the day with 148 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Connor Thompson led the team in tackles with 14 and Dixon also finished in double digits with 11. Ruisch threw three touchdown passes on the day and had 215 total yards.

The River Hawks look to continue their positive momentum Saturday when the team takes on Gettysburg at 1 p.m. in Selinsgrove.