Aaron Speight had a 69-yard rushing touchdown and Mitch Carsley had a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown as the River Hawk defense remained stellar and the Susquehanna University Football team used a big second half to defeat Juniata College 24-6 Saturday afternoon at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field in Selinsgrove.

On an otherwise slow offensive first half by both sides, the River Hawks (7-3 Overall, 6-3 Centennial) were able to get on the board less than two minutes into the game, as the team made quick work of a drive to get into Eagle territory.

Michael Ruisch connected with Carsley on a long 48-yard play to get the team to the 12-yard line on the first offensive play of the game before the River Hawks were shut down and settled for a field goal by Elijah Hoffman to take a 3-0 lead.

The remainder of the first half went along without scoring by either side, as Susquehanna dominated time of possession and total yards, but turnovers and penalties prevented them from extending the lead.

Craig Roumes and Cole Dixon spearheaded the River Hawk defense, as Roumes made two critical sacks and was constantly pressuring the quarterback, forcing him to throw the ball early and Dixon made several solo tackles.

Susquehanna did have an opportunity to score a touchdown late in the second quarter but the ball was fumbled at the goal line and the team took a 3-0 lead into the locker room.

The second half started out well for the River Hawks, as the defense forced a three and out by the Eagles and Speight scored a 69-yard rushing touchdown on the first offensive play to give the River Hawks a 10-0 lead.

Juniata responded with a long 44 yard drive, but the defense made several key plays to keep the shutout intact, as Jhemir Stanley had a key sack.

On the following drive by the River Hawks, Nick Sottile converted a 4^th and three on a fake punt, but the team was forced to kick the ball away moments later.

Juniata was forced to kick on its following drive, as Roumes continued to shine and make several tackles and Carsley returned the kick for 71 yards and scored a touchdown to extend the lead to 17-0 late in the third quarter.

The River Hawks essentially put the game away early in the fourth quarter as Nick Brotzman hooked up with Kyle Good for a 14-yard touchdown and the River Hawks took a 24-0 lead.

Juniata did bounce back with a touchdown of their own on the following drive, but failed on the two point conversion to try and make the contest a two possession game.

Three long drives sandwiched around two unsuccessful drives by Juniata kept the score at 24-6 and the River Hawks came away with the win.

Dixon led the team with 12 tackles, as Connor Thompson added ten and Roumes had 2.5 sacks. Speight finished his afternoon with 178 rushing yards on only 13 carries.

Susquehanna honored it's 15 seniors prior to the start of the game.

The win gives the River Hawks a spot in the postseason, as the team finished in a tie for second position in the Centennial Conference. Opponent and location are to be announced.