BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College football team got strong performances from its defense and special teams on Saturday afternoon against Bethany, but the offense continued with its struggles as a late comeback fell short, 26-20. Win the win Bethany improved to 3-3 overall, 3-2 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), while Geneva fell to 2-3, 2-2 in the PAC.
Geneva's offensive problems were compounded by four turnovers. The first one proved painful as a fumble inside the Bethany ten-yard line kept Geneva off the board midway through the first quarter. After another defensive stop, Geneva fumbled on its next possession as well, and this time Bethany took advantage by marching 47 yards for the opening score, though a blocked extra point kept the game at 6-0.
The Golden Tornadoes continued to struggle to rush the ball against a strong Bethany front seven, and after a three and out by the Geneva offense, Bethany took possession trying to making it a two-score game. That's when senior Zach Hall (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) stepped in front of a Bethany wide receiver on a quick out and picked off a pass, racing 36 yards untouched up the sideline to give Geneva a 7-6 lead.
After Bethany missed a field goal on the following possession, turnover problems again plagued Geneva as another fumble deep in Geneva territory gave Bethany a short field. To the defense's credit, though, after Bethany got it down to the one yard, Geneva held the Bison out of the endzone and forced a field goal, which the Bison converted to go back up, 9-7.
Bethany looked to take all the momentum into half when, after a long punt return with less than a minute to go gave Bethany possession inside Geneva's ten yard line, the Bison scored with 41 seconds remaining in the half to take a 16-7 lead. To Geneva's credit though, Geneva used a long kickoff return and a 35 yard pass from junior Levi Cook (Johnsontown, Pa./Bishop McCort) to senior Harrison Kozlow (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) on the half's final play to pull within 16-14 at the break.
That momentum didn't carry over to the second half, though. Bethany took advantage of another Geneva fumble to kick a third quarter field goal, and when Bethany scored a touchdown on its following possession to go up 26-14, Geneva's chances looked slim.
However, Geneva used another touchdown pass, this time from junior Luke Lloyd (Claysville, Pa./Avella) to senior Trewon Marshall (Leetsdale, Pa./Quaker Valley), midway through the fourth quarter to cut into Bethany's lead. Then, after an interception from junior Tyler Cann (Lehighton, Pa./Lehighton) set up Geneva inside Bethany's 30 yard line with three minutes remaining, the Golden Tornadoes looked poised for another dramatic comeback. Unfortunately, it never happened as Geneva failed to pick up a first down, and Bethany was able to run out the clock for the win.
"It was a great atmosphere today," said Head Coach Geno DeMarco, referring to the Homecoming crowd. "Unfortunately, when you can't hold onto the ball, it's very tough to win. Give credit to our defense, though, who kept us in it all day long with several big plays."
Bethany's defense proved to be the first to hold Marshall under 100 rushing yards this season, as the running back was held to 69 yards on 21 carries, though he did have the long touchdown reception. Cook had a solid throwing day, going 6-6 with 69 yards and a touchdown. Defensively junior Jamarkus Brumskin (Eden, Md./Washington) led the defense with 12 tackles, while Hall and Cann each added seven tackles to their interceptions.
Geneva next travels to take on Washington & Jefferson on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Presidents come into that game undefeated after beating Case Western Reserve, the other PAC's undefeated team prior to the weekend, in their game on Saturday.