The Centennial Conference posted a 2-1 record in the sixth annual Centennial-MAC Bowl Series on Saturday, as Susquehanna and Franklin & Marshall came away with home victories.
Susquehanna topped Widener 49-21 and F&M downed Stevenson 42-28, while Ursinus fell at Lycoming, 31-23.
The Centennial now leads the all-time series 10-5, including an 8-1 mark over the past three years.
ABOUT THE CENTENNIAL-MAC BOWL SERIES
The Centennial Conference and the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) announced on Nov. 5, 2015 their partnership to hold two postseason football games between member institutions known as the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. In the spring of 2018, the two conferences voted and approved an additional bowl game to increase the series to three games beginning in the fall of 2018. The Centennial-MAC Bowl Series is comprised of the top-three teams from each conference that are not selected to the NCAA Division III Championship.
In Selinsgrove, Pa., CC top seed Susquehanna scored touchdowns on the first two plays they touched the ball, using that momentum to roll past Widener 49-21 for a Centennial-MAC Bowl Series victory in action from Doug Arthur Stadium. The win gave the River Hawks (9-2) their fourth straight Bowl Series victory, as SU moved to 4-0 all-time in the postseason bowl contest with the Middle Atlantic Conference.
Senior offensive lineman Cole Spencer was selected as the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series MVP for the game as he blocked a field goal attempt, made a tackle on an interception return and also took a hook-and-ladder lateral from Eddie Nugent in for his first career touchdown in his final game at Susquehanna. QB Michael Ruisch broke the SU career touchdown passing record on the first play from scrimmage after the turnover, hitting Sammy Darrell down the middle of the field for his 64th career touchdown pass to break the tie he had with Mike Bowman '02.
In Lancaster, Pa., CC No. 3 seed Franklin & Marshall won its fourth straight Centennial-MAC Bowl Series game with a 42-28 victory over Stevenson inside Shadek Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The win marked the fifth consecutive season that the Diplomats have played in a bowl game and also secured a winning record for the squad that rallied to three in a row, and four of its last five, to close the season.
The Diplomats got contributions in all facets of the game as the team matched its highest scoring output of the season, tying the mark from its final regular season contest. The Diplomats got two touchdowns through the air and two more on the ground, including Keshon Farmer's touchdown run to open the scoring which gave him sole possession of the program's career rushing touchdowns record with 31. The defense also picked off four passes and came up with five sacks. Calvin Krippner was the named the game MVP after returning an interception for a touchdown and scooping another fumble and returning it for his second defensive touchdown on the day. Peyton Snopek additionally tied the program's single-game record with four sacks on Saturday.
In Williamsport, Pa., CC No. 2 seed Ursinus closed out its 2021 season with a tough 31-23 loss to Lycoming in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series on Saturday afternoon.The Bears conclude the season with a 7-4 overall record while the Warriors end their season at 8-3 overall.
Junior quarterback Jack Psenicska finished the day 25-of-45 for 298 yards through the air with one interception. Psenicska surpassed former Bears quarterback Thomas Garlick for the Bears single-season passing yards record with 2,853. Senior running back Samuel Ragland capped his decorated career with 66 rushing yards on 22 carries and scored all three Ursinus touchdowns. Ragland will finish second all-time in program history with 3,107 career rushing yards and set a new program mark 48 touchdowns on the ground. He also hauled in six passes for 63 yards. Junior Kevin DePrince led all Bears wide receivers with seven catches for 74 yards.
Lycoming junior RB Joey Guida was named game MVP after scoring two 70-yard plus touchdown runs and totalling185 all-purpose yards on the day.