By Tyler Morello
Staff Writer
The 4-2 Lions’ football team traveled to Pennsylvania on Saturday and picked up their fifth win of the season against a gritty Gettysburg squad. They were looking to make it two wins in a row after their win against Kean University on their Homecoming day game.
It was another offensive explosion for the College, as they continue to show they can score with the best across all of Division III. Fifth-year Quarterback Trevor Bopp threw for 329 yards and a touchdown. Bopp has thrown for over 200 yards in each game this season.
Fellow captain and fifth-year Malin Jasinski once again hauled in 10 receptions as well as passing the 200-yard mark receiving for the second time this year. He and Bopp connected for the Lions’ lone passing touchdown on the day.
The difference maker for the Lions however was senior running back Jayson Schmidt, who ran for a career-high 247 yards as well as punching in four touchdowns on the ground.
“The offensive line play against Gettysburg was stellar,” said Schmidt, “and the main reason we were able to move the ball so effectively on the ground.”
The game was not as simple as it seemed for the Lions, as they found themselves down 13-0, and then 19-7 in the second quarter. This was when Jasinski brought in his receiving touchdown of 36 yards to cut the lead to five.
The Lions' defense immediately forced a three-and-out after two incompletions and a 0-yard rush gain. This stop led to the Lions’ first lead of the game after a 3-yard touchdown from Schmidt to make it 20-19.
The defense was able to come up with another key stop after a pass breakup from senior Amir Vick on a third down, followed by forcing an incompletion on fourth down to end the half.
The College received the ball to start the second half, and made sure to capitalize on the extra possession. After a few short gains from Schmidt and a pass caught by fifth-year tight end Thomas Burke, Schmidt broke away for a 49-yard touchdown on a crucial 4th and 1.
Now with a 27-19 lead, the pressure was all on the Bullets to put together a quality drive ending in a score. On the second play of the drive, junior lineman Jameson Sessa recovered a fumble by Gettysburg, setting the Lions up at the Bullets’ 37-yard line.
After a turnover by the Lions and a punt by the Bullets, the Lions put together a nine-play, 74 yard drive that was capped off by Schmidt’s 4th touchdown of the game. Gettysburg fired right back with a 43-yard passing touchdown, and the Lions found themselves up 34-25 heading into the final frame.
College was able to force another punt by the Bullets but were pinned at their own seven-yard line early in the fourth quarter. On the first play of the drive, Bopp hit Burke for a quick pass and Burke was able to avoid tacklers all the way to the Gettysburg 43-yard line.
Bopp finished the drive off with a two-yard rushing touchdown after driving the team down the field, and the Lions got the cushion they were looking for.
The College’s defense was able to keep the Gettysburg offense in check until around the four minute mark where the Bullets ran in for a 20-yard touchdown.
The Lions were then able to chew out the clock thanks to some rushes by Schmidt and a 40-yard catch from Jasinski.
The College is now entering the home stretch of the 2024 season with three critical conference games to finish the season. They now turn to this upcoming Saturday when they host Salisbury University, who is 7-0 on the campaign.
“We are looking to build off of the ground game from last week, while also attacking them in areas where we think we have better matchups,” Schmidt said regarding Salisbury.
A win against Salisbury will be vital if the Lions hope to bring home an NJAC championship.
“Our team knows the severity of this matchup and we have had a great week of practice so far with high focus and intensity,” Schmidt said.
