Box Score
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Senior tailback Tom Sturges (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) rushed for a career-high 220 yards and three touchdowns while catching an additional touchdown pass, and sophomore quarterback Matt Flynn (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) threw all four of his touchdown passes in the first half, leading the Gettysburg College football team to a 49-25 non-conference win over Lebanon Valley College in the season opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.
Gettysburg, which racked up 537 yards of total offense, never trailed after jumping to a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bullets led 35-25 at halftime following a wild second quarter that featured seven combined touchdowns.
Lebanon Valley, which accumulated 440 yards of total offense, was led by junior wide receiver Sean Donovan, who pulled in six passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including a 73-yarder. Sophomore tailback Charlie Parker rushed for 75 yards on 22 carries for the Flying Dutchmen.
It was the second 200-yard rushing game of Sturges' career. He also had 206 yards two years ago against Lebanon Valley.
Sturges also had four receptions for 42 yards and finished with a career-high 262 all-purpose yards. He put the Bullets on the scoreboard with a 49-yard touchdown run with 4:49 remaining in the first quarter, then scampered for a 23-yard touchdown reception with 21 ticks left in the opening period. After a scoreless third quarter, his 2-yard scoring jaunt early in the fourth quarter made it a 42-25 game, and his 40-yard touchdown run set the final score with 1:45 left.
Each of Gettysburg's first two touchdowns were set up by interceptions. A pick from junior safety David Rodriguez (Fort Belvoir) gave the Bullets the ball at the LVC-49 with 4:57 left in the opening quarter, and Sturges ran for his first touchdown on the next play. Sophomore safety Brett Robinson (Chadds Ford, Pa./Archmere Academy) came up with an interception on the Dutchman-45 on Lebanon Valley's next possession, leading to Flynn's first touchdown pass seven plays later.
Flynn completed 15 of 26 passes for 265 yards and tossed three of his touchdown strikes in the second quarter.
Sophomore halfback Ricky Manigat (Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin) added 79 yards receiving and a pair of touchdown catches for the Bullets while senior receiver Matt Welsh (Lafayette Hill, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep) had four receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Junior kick Josh Huson (McLean, Va./McLean) was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra point attempts for the Bullets.
Making his first collegiate start for Lebanon Valley, sophomore quarterback Patrick Weiss threw for 115 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions before being replaced by classmate Caleb Fick late in the second quarter. Fick finished with 166 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-23 passing.
Senior linebacker Harold Barton (Somerdale, N.J./Sterling) posted 13 tackles to lead the Gettysburg defense while junior defensive lineman Conor Quinn (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery) made 10 hits and one sack. Junior linebacker Brian Cottone led all players with 15 tackles for Lebanon Valley.
Gettysburg returns to action next Saturday, when it visits Hampden-Sydney College in another non-conference game starting at 1 p.m.
