Bilal Leads Huskies Over East Stroudsburg
BLOOMSBURG- Brahin Bilal (Philadelphia/ Lincoln) had 289 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bloomsburg University football team to a 45-37 win over conference-rival East Stroudsburg on Saturday afternoon. Bilal had 136 yards receiving including touchdown receptions of 57 and 79 yards and also had a 90-yard kickoff return near the end of the first half. With the win, the Huskies clinch a share of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Title for the second straight season.
The Huskies took an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Dan Latorre (Elysburg/ Southern Columbia) connected with tight end Luke Kuklick (North Wales/ North Penn) for 19 yards with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter. The drive was setup by 29-yard interception return by senior Tyler Trettin (Hershey/ Hershey).
However, East Stroudsburg would respond quickly, scoring on a 68-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jim Terwilliger to Wes Lindsay just 40 seconds later. Warriors kicker Eric Peters missed the extra point and the Huskies led 7-6.
After East Stroudsburg forced a punt on the Huskies next possession, the Warriors took over at their own 18 yard line. On the first play of the drive, the Huskies Phil Riccardi (Lansdale/ North Penn) stripped the ball from East Stroudsburg receiver Jesse Reider and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. It was the first of two fumble recoveries for Riccardi on the day. Jon Koenig's (Pine Grove/ Pine Grove) extra point was good and the Huskies led 14-6 with 1:58 remaining in the first quarter.
After the Warriors added a field goal to cut the lead to 14-9, Latorre hooked up with Bilal for a 57-yard touchdown reception to give Bloomsburg a 21-9 lead with just 2:58 remaining in the half.
However, Terwilliger would lead an eight-play, 70 yard drive culminated by a six-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Shuman to cut the lead to 21-16 with just 25 seconds remaining and looked to have the momentum going into halftime. However on the ensuing kickoff, Bilal broke a 90-yard run for a touchdown to give the Huskies a 28-16 lead. It was the first kickoff return for Bloomsburg since October 26, 2002 when Nick Kurtz scored on an 80-yard kickoff return.
After the Huskies punted on the opening drive of the second half, Terwilliger led yet another scoring drive, this time finding Matt Brunetti from seven yards out to cut Bloomsburg's lead to 28-23.
On Bloomsburg's next possession Koenig connected for a 39-yard field goal to give Bloomsburg a 31-23 lead going into the fourth quarter. After the Huskies defense forced a turnover on downs at their own 40-yard line, Bloomsburg added another touchdown when Jamar Brittingham (Levittown/ Neshaminy) scored from three-yards out to give the Huskies a 38-23 lead with just ten seconds left in the third quarter.
On East Stroudsburg's first possession of the fourth quarter, Terwilliger led a nine-play, 78 yard drive hooking up with Jess Reider from 14-yards out for his fourth touchdown pass of the game and cut Bloomsburg's lead to 38-30.
It would not take long for Bloomsburg to answer back as Latorre hooked up with Bilal again, this time from 79-yards out, on the first play of the drive to give Bloomsburg a 45-30 lead.
Terwilliger would add yet another touchdown to cut the lead to 45-37 but Bloomsburg was able to run out the final 3:08 seconds left in the game to hold on for the victory.
Latorre had another stellar game, throwing for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Terwilliger threw for 412 yards and five touchdowns in a losing effort. Bloomsburg tailback Josh Heck (West Hazleton/ Hazleton) had 89 yards rushing on just 14 carries. Defensviely, Rob Biernat (Bristol/ Conwell Egan) had twelve tackles to lead the Huskies. Riccardi finished with nine tackles, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
The 45-37 win by the Huskies marked the first time since the 2000 season that the home team was the winner. Bloomsburg (9-1, 5-0 PSAC East), will close out their regular season next Saturday when they visit Cheyney at 1 p.m.