SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Ursinus Football team was locked in another defensive battle, but this time came out on the wrong side as they were edged by No. 20 Susquehanna 17-12 on Saturday afternoon in Centennial Conference action.
 
With the loss, the Bears drop to 3-2 overall on the season and 2-2 in Centennial Conference play. Meanwhile, the River Hawks kept their unbeaten streak going by improving to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in conference action.
 
Senior quarterback Jack Psenicska finished the day going 21-of-39 for 336 yards and one touchdown plus foiur interceptions. Senior wide receiver Octavious Carter led the team with two catches for 59 yards and classmate Kevin DePrince caught five passes for 40 yards and the Bears lone touchdown of the game. Junior Dawson Fresses led the Bears on the ground with 22 yards on 13 carries.
 
The Bears seemingly were in business on the opening drive of the game when Psenicska found senior tight end Billy Cook deep into River Hawks territory, but he was had the ball punched out after the reception which gave the ball to Susquehanna. Ursinus bounced back from the early turnover by forcing a River Hawk punt and going 60 yards in 10 plays to take the early 3-0 advantage after senior kicker Dakota Wherrity knocked home a 34-yard field goal. Susquehanna responded with a field goal of their own from 28 yards out before running a pick-6 back on the Bears ensuing drive to go up 10-3 at the 2:18-mark of the first quarter.
 
Susquehanna forced another Bears punt and drove down to the Ursinus 16 yard line before senior defensive lineman Ethan Belville picked off a screen pass attempt to give the Bears the ball back. However, the Bears went three-and-out which allowed the River Hawks to quickly march down the field and extend their lead to 17-3 following a 26-yard touchdown pass. After the teams traded punts on their next drives, Ursinus used a 10 play 94-yard drive that concluded with Wherrity tallying his second field goal of the game to make it a 17-6 game at the half. The Bears also had a 28-yard touchdown completion from Psenicska to Fresses called back due to an ineligible man downfield during the drive.
 
 
After a pair of punts from each team got the third quarter started, Susquehanna made the first big move in the second half by driving down to the Bears 41-yard line. Senior defensive lineman Sean Leyden ended the drive by intercepting River Hawk quarterback Michael Ruisch on a short pass, but the Bears gave the ball right back after Psenicska was intercepted on the second play of their ensuing drive on a deep pass at the Susquehanna 20 yard line. The Ursinus defense bounced back from the interception by forcing a punt on the next River Hawk drive.
 
Following a pair of punts to open the fourth quarter, Psenicska was intercepted for a third time in River Hawk territory after Ursinus advanced to the Susquehanna 34-yard line. The Bears defense forced another punt and Psenicska started the Ursinus ensuing drive with a 39-yard strike to Schnaars, setting up the Bears at the Susquehanna 25-yard line. Psenicska followed with a clutch conversion on 3rd and 14 to senior Zachary Throne to the four yard line and found DePrince for a touchdown two plays later to make it a 17-12 game with 3:43 left in regulation following a failed two-point conversion. Ursinus had an onside kick attempt recovered by the River Hawks but got the break they needed off a Susquehanna fumble that was recovered by junior Ryan DiVergilis to set the Bears up with a chance to win the game. Unfortunately for the Bears, they did not gain a single first down and Psenicska was intercepted from a deep pass on fourth down to preserve the win for the River Hawks.
 
Senior linebacker Brett Gross paced the Bears defense once again with a team-high 14 tackles (five solo) and DiVergilis added 10 tackles (three solo) along with his fumble recovery. Junior defensive lineman Ryan Bodolus added 10 tackles (five solo) as well. Kyle Howes caught six passes for 103 yards and one touchdown to lead the River Hawk offense while Frankie Negrini added 108 yards on 28 carries.
 
The Bears enter the Centennial Conference bye week before returning to action on Friday, October 14th by hosting McDaniel at 7 p.m.