SCHENECTADY - The Union College football team faced a heartbreaking defeat in their season opener against Susquehanna on Saturday, losing 23-17 in overtime. With less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Union appeared poised for victory, holding a seven-point lead. However, a critical mistake in the secondary allowed Susquehanna's Reese Gaughan to catch a game-tying 34-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tommy Wright, bringing the score to 17-17 just before the clock expired.
In the overtime period, Union received the ball first but struggled offensively. After a series of plays that gained minimal yardage, kicker Francesco Pileggi was set to attempt a 35-yard field goal that could have given Union the lead. Unfortunately for the Garnet Chargers, Jaydon Handy from Susquehanna broke through the line to block the kick, and teammate Bezy Nwanonyiri scooped up the loose ball, sprinting into the end zone for a stunning walk-off touchdown.
Union head coach Jon Drach reflected on the game, stating, "The team that made the fewest mistakes won the football game." This sentiment echoed the struggles Union faced throughout the contest. Despite a strong defensive performance that kept Susquehanna scoreless for the first three quarters, Union's offense was plagued by turnovers and penalties. Senior quarterback Cole Brisson, making his first collegiate start, threw three interceptions, which proved costly in a tightly contested matchup.
Union initially took control of the game, with Brisson connecting with Owen Corrigan for a 15-yard touchdown pass, giving the team a lead. The defense also made a significant impact when cornerback Trey Rezendes intercepted a pass from Wright and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown, extending Union's lead to 17-7 with just under eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
However, Susquehanna responded with a field goal from Cole Hoover, narrowing the gap to 17-10. Union's subsequent drive aimed to run down the clock, but a series of penalties, including back-to-back false starts, derailed their efforts and forced a punt with just over two minutes remaining.
Facing a 92-yard drive with no timeouts left, Wright orchestrated a remarkable comeback for Susquehanna. He efficiently moved the ball downfield, culminating in another touchdown pass to Gaughan, who was left uncovered on the left sideline, tying the game and forcing overtime.
In total, Susquehanna outgained Union significantly, with 424 total yards compared to Union's 211, and maintained a substantial advantage in time of possession. As the season progresses, Union will need to address their mistakes and build on the strengths shown in their defense. The team will return to action next Saturday at noon, hosting SUNY Cortland in a non-league matchup.
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