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| Tom Perkovich has increased the tempo at Susquehanna and the Crusaders have responded. Susquehanna athletics photo |
Susquehanna football has a new look and new life in 2015.
It took just three weeks for the Crusaders to equal their 2014 win total and surpass their wins from 2013. Tom Perkovich won his head coaching debut by defeating Lycoming at home on Sept. 5. He earned his first conference win over Dickinson two weeks later, also at home.
In a conference known for its coaching longevity, a new head coach in the Centennial is a rarity. A new head coach in the Centennial winning early in his tenure? That’s highly unusual.
Perkovich became the first head coach in the conference to win his debut since John Troxell at Franklin and Marshall in 2006. Coincidentally, both Troxell and Perkovich descend from Muhlenberg coach Mike Donnelly’s coaching tree. Between Troxell and Perkovich, three coaches took over Centennial programs. They endured losing streaks of three, nine, and 11 to start their tenures. Even Donnelly lost his first four games in his debut season at Muhlenberg in 1997.
“A lot went in to that first game,” said Perkovich. “I’m not going to lie; I was nervous. It’s been a day-by-day process since then.”
The Canisius graduate spent 11 seasons on the Muhlenberg staff. He knows he’ll be going up against some of the most successful and longest-tenured Division III coaches in the Centennial conference, but credits his former boss and former coaches for preparing him for this moment.
“Perk worked his way up, doing just about everything for me,” said Donnelly. “I gave him more responsibility and he met the challenge every step of the way.”
In addition to his former boss Donnelly, Perkovich has the ear of the Crusaders’ longtime head coach. Steve Briggs stepped aside after 25 years at the helm, but did not go too far. He is now an advancement officer for university relations. The winningest coach in program history has been a valuable resource for his successor.
“Steve and I talk every day. He’s been a great resource for me since I arrived on campus,” said Perkovich. “He’s allowed me to do what I want to do and when I ask for help, he’s there for me.”
One of the biggest changes was implementing a no-huddle spread offense, similar to the system run by the Mules in Perkovich’s five seasons as offensive coordinator. Cameron Ott is averaging 5.1 yards per carry while quarterback Nick Crusco has rushed for five scores and passed for seven. The Crusaders are averaging a touchdown more per game than they scored in 2014.
“We’re a lot faster,” said Perkovich. “I see our kids buying into what we’re doing and enjoying it.”
After the struggles of the past two seasons, the new coaching staff has breathed some fresh energy into the program. Perkovich took over in January and used spring practices to implement the new offense, defense, and special teams. Winning the first two games in front of the Crusaders home crowd has helped spread the energy around campus.
“It seems like people are really behind us,” Perkovich said.
Pupil will meet teacher when Susquehanna travels to Muhlenberg this Saturday. The newest coach in the conference doesn’t need to look far each week to see what it takes to build stability and success at a Division III program.
“I’m always trying to learn,” Perkovich said. “I’m trying to learn as much as I can and get caught up to the rest of these guys who have been coaching for 15 or 20 years.”
Saturday will be a kind of homecoming for Perkovich. It would be poetic if he notches his first career road win in the stadium he called home for 11 years. When the former colleagues walk across the field to shake hands before the game, there will be a sense of pride and accomplishment shared by both. Then, it’s all business.
“You can’t help but be excited when one of the people you work with has success,” Donnelly said. “I told him that I wished him luck in nine games.”
You never forget your first
Some of the Centennial Conference’s most successful coaches shared their memories of their first head coaching win.
Donnelly earned his against Swarthmore in the fifth game of the 1997 season. It was the Mules’ only win that year.
“I remember thinking nobody is going to slow down so I can catch up to them,” he said.
Johns Hopkins coach Jim Margraff sent Perkovich congratulations after Susquehanna won its opener. He finished 5-4-1 in his first season leading his alma mater, but lost his first two games. He remembers his defensive coordinator telling him that if they lost three straight, they might go 0-10.
“It was pandemonium,” said Margraff. “You always remember your first one. Winning your first one has got to be great.”
That 1990 team reunited for its 25th anniversary this past weekend at Homewood Field.
The longest-tenured active coach in Division III still remembers his first win. Barry Streeter, now in his 37th season at Gettysburg, defeated his alma mater, Lebanon Valley. The best part of that win, he said, was “knowing I wasn’t going to go 0-for-my career.”
“I just remember the first day or two, realizing that the buck stops here. When the phone rings, there’s nobody else to give it to.”
Troxell’s first Franklin and Marshall team knocked off the eventual ODAC champion in his 2006 debut. His first conference win came three weeks later at Muhlenberg against his former boss.
“It was a big program win,” he said of the Week 1 victory over Washington and Lee.
“They say the first one’s the hardest and in a lot of ways, they’re probably right. The first one is about kids believing that they hired the right guy."
Around the Centennial
With only three USA South and ODAC teams playing last weekend, it was the Centennial’s time to shine.
Moravian running back Chris Negron tied a school record by rushing for six touchdowns in the Greyhounds’ 55-38 win at Dickinson. In just four games, Negron has already matched his total of nine rushing touchdowns last season. The junior finished with 221 yards on 34 carries for the 3-1 Greyhounds.
Gettysburg needed a fourth quarter rally to get past Susquehanna and got it done in all three phases. The Bullets rallied from a 24-7 first half deficit for a 49-30 win over the Crusaders. Matt McFadden returned a punt 77 yards for score to swing momentum in the second quarter. The defense stepped up in the fourth quarter, ending Susquehanna’s final two drives by forcing turnovers to secure the victory. Chris Miller had 15 tackles and a sack to pace the Bullets defensively, while Sam McDermott passed for four touchdowns to lead the offense.
The 49-28 final score of No. 10 Johns Hopkins’ victory over Muhlenberg is a bit misleading, as Muhlenberg held a 28-21 lead until midway through the third quarter. The way the Blue Jays closed the game on a 28-0 run shows why they have been so dominant in the Centennial in recent years. Despite being outgained 499-379 by the Mules, the Blue Jays delivered the big plays in critical moments. Muhlenberg turned the ball over four times in the second half, including three straight possessions that allowed Johns Hopkins to take control of the game. Safety Jack Toner was everywhere, breaking up three passes to go along with seven tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Franklin and Marshall kept pace with fellow unbeatens Gettysburg and Johns Hopkins. The Diplomats defeated Juniata 24-7 behind another superb defensive effort. The Dips have allowed just 35 points in their first three conference games.
Comprehensive coverage of the USA South and ODAC
Not every game gets mentioned each week, but when two conferences have just three teams playing and all emerge victorious, they deserve some love.
Huntingdon was the only USA South team in action and notched a 35-21 win over Belhaven. John Iwaniec rushed for four touchdowns to lead the Hawks. Brendon Brown snagged a pair of interceptions.
Washington and Lee cruised to a 56-21 win over Apprentice School on Friday night. The Generals rushed for 473 yards, yet not a single player eclipsed the 100-yard mark. Of the 11 players to tote the ball, six found the end zone. The Generals average 8.3 yards per carry this season.
Emory and Henry became the second team from the region to defeat Division I FCS East Tennessee State. The Wasps rallied for a 27-24 win when Kevin Saxton connected with Tyree Ward for a seven-yard score with 55 seconds to play. The defense forced a three-and-out on ETSU’s final drive. Carter Harlow, Ryan Byrd, and Rennel Marshall each tallied 10 tackles.
Welcome to conference play
This marks the first weekend when all three conferences engage in league play. The ODAC season opens with a showdown of unbeatens as Washington and Lee hosts No. 23 Guilford. Expect the scoreboard operator to stay busy in this one. Shenandoah, also 3-0, hosts 2-1 Bridgewater on Saturday night. We know better than to expect the ODAC race to clear up before November, though.
The USA South race, on the other hand, will become much clearer after Methodist and Maryville meet on Saturday. Despite this being the opening weekend of conference play, this showdown will create a favorite who will likely only be challenged by Huntingdon later this season. There appears to be some distinct separation between the top three teams and everyone else in the conference.
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Do you know about any upcoming milestones, big games, or new names in the Mid-Atlantic? Please share them with me. If you have suggestions for next week's column, please reach out to me on Twitter at @adamturer or via email at adam.turer@d3sports.com.
