Box Score

LEICESTER, MA- Running back Kurtis Ahart (Spencer, NY/Spencer Van Etten) ran for 128 yards and three touchdowns to lead Hartwick football to a 45-19 win over Becker on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Hawks remain undefeated at 3-0 while Becker slips to 1-2.

Quarterback John Garcia (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) completed 17 passes for 271 yards and threw for three touchdowns. Frankie Molina (Middletown, NY/Middletown) caught seven of those passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Tanner Williams (Eagle Bridge, NY/Hoosick Falls) had four receptions for 52 yards and a score.

The defense totaled six sacks, two forced fumbles, and recorded a safety. End Joe Seney (Gloversville, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) had six tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. R.J. Roth (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall) had five tackles and one sack. Rob Burke (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) contributed three tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, and one pass breakup. The defense limited Becker to just 94 yards passing and 56 yards rushing on the afternoon.

The day did not begin well for 'Wick as on the opening kickoff, the Hawks fumbled and Becker recovered to give them possession on Hartwick's 36 yard line. Four plays later, Vincent Romario broke off a 29-yard run and scored to put Becker ahead 6-0.

'Wick's next possession resulted in a punt but after Becker took control, Burke forced a fumble from Matthew Romasco and the Hawks had the ball back on Becker's 20. In just three plays, Ahart punched the ball in to tie the game up at 6-all.

A three and out from Becker gave Hartwick the ball back at its own 40. Garcia went 3-for-4 on the drive with completions of 4 and 12 yards to Williams and a 23 yarder to Molina to move into Becker territory. Ahart ran for his second touchdown of the quarter as the Hawks took the lead, 12-6, with 4:08 left in the first period.

The Hartwick defense contributed points on Becker's next drive when Roth sacked Hawk quarterback Robert Baker in the endzone for a safety to give 'Wick a 14-6 lead with just over three minutes to play in the opening quarter. The offense tacked on a Garcia-to-Williams touchdown to lead 21-6 after one quarter of play.

The second quarter was largely uneventful as the two sides exchanged possessions. Following a Becker punt with 1:12 left before halftime, Hartwick had the ball at the Becker 45. Garcia moved the offense down the field to the Becker 7 where he hooked up with Chris Hoose (Leeds, NY/Cairo-Durham) for six points and with Alexander Tesoriero's (Rensselaer, NY/Columbia) extra point, Hartwick went into the half with a 28-6 lead.

In the third quarter, Becker punted after its first possession and Hartwick started its drive at the Becker 46. Ahart rushed for 39 yards on the drive and scored his third touchdown of the game to put 'Wick up 35-6.

After Becker scored to make a 35-12 contest at 6:31, Hartwick started at its own 29. Garcia connected with Molina on a 58-yard touchdown and the Hawks increased their lead to 42-12 with 3:18 left in the third.

The Hawks ended their scoring with a Tesoriero 29-yard field goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game.  Becker ended the day's scoring with a touchdown with 1:29 remaining to play.

Hartwick is off next week and returns home to Wright Stadium to begin Empire 8 play against Ithaca on October 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.