ITHACA, N.Y. --- The Moravian College football team debut a new up-tempo, no-huddle offense that moved the ball but four turnovers kept the Greyhounds from earning a victory in their 2013 season opener as they fell to Ithaca College, 31-7, at an overcast Butterfield Stadium Saturday.
The Greyhounds were making their first trip to Ithaca after the first seven games of the series between the two schools were contested in Bethlehem.
"We can move at a first pace and be productive with the new offense," stated Head Coach Jeff Pukszyn. "We had them on their heels, especially in the first half. Our guys had a big challenge today with a strong Ithaca squad today."
Moravian's offense picked up 232 yards on 65 plays with senior quarterback Robbie Moyer completing 14-of-26 passes for 163 yards, and the Greyhounds added another 69 yards on the ground. Moyer also added 11 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in the game.
Sophomore wide receiver Jimmy McCarthy was Moyer's top target with eight receptions for 89 yards, and McCarthy added seven yards on two carries and four kickoff returns for 93 yards.
"Jimmy brings a big play ability to the team," Pukszyn said. "I think he could have broken a couple more today if he can read his blocks. Jimmy's getting used to the offense that he's really only been in for two weeks since he was playing baseball in the spring and missed when we started the implementation of the offensive scheme."
Junior wide receiver Sam Boyer added two receptions for 54 yards including a team long of 41 yards.
Freshman running back Chris Negron had 29 yards on 11 carries to lead the rushing attack while freshman running back Larry Spann added 22 yards on ten carries in his first collegiate game.
"Chris is going to be good, just made a few freshman mistakes today but he has a great burst," Puksyzn said. "Larry did a great job too. There is a lot of competition there."
However, three fumbles and an interception ended several Moravian possessions early. The Greyhounds' defense also forced four turnovers in the game.
"We shot ourselves in the foot all game and playing against a very experienced Ithaca team, and the spots on the field where we turned the ball over, that hurt us more," Pukszyn stated. "The defense stepped up and limited Ithaca to some field goals after a couple turnovers that was a big positive. It is something that we can control."
Ithaca received the opening kickoff and was driving down the field before junior defensive back Rick Sinnig intercepted a pass by Bomber quarterback Phil Neumann at the Moravian 17-yard line.
The Greyhounds picked up two first downs after the turnover on their first possession of the season, and moved the ball to midfield before Negron was hit going through the line and fumbled. Ithaca would turn the miscue into a touchdown on its next drive to take a 7-0 lead.
Moravian moved the ball down the field again including a 37-yard pass from Moyer to McCarthy; however, the Greyhounds turned the ball over on downs at the Ithaca 23-yard line.
Early in the second quarter, Ithaca took a 13-0 lead on a touchdown run by Rakim Jones. Junior defensive lineman Andrew Richmond blocked the extra-point.
After forcing a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, the Bombers were unable to move the ball and turned the ball over on downs to the Greyhounds. Moravian turned the ball right back over, and Ithaca eventually added two field goals to make the lead 19-0 before halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, Richmond recovered his second fumble of the game to set the Moravian offense up at the Ithaca 20-yard line. On the second play, Moyer hit McCarthy with an 18-yard completion to the six-yard line. Two plays later, Moyer found pay dirt with a five-yard run on a quarterback draw up the middle. Sophomore David Fiumara added the extra-point to cut Ithaca's lead to 19-7 with 6:06 left in the third quarter.
A deep punt by Ithaca to end its next possession, pinned the Greyhounds back on the one-yard line. The Bombers recorded a safety on the first play as Moyer was brought down in the end zone. Ithaca added a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and a field goal with 6:49 to go to finish of the scoring.
Ithaca had 381 yards on 78 plays in the game while holding the ball for 39:45. Neumann completed 19-of-28 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns while Jones had 126 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Jared Prugar caught six passes for 88 yards and a score.
Sophomore defensive back Anthony Orlando had a game high 18 tackles in his first game with the Greyhounds including 11 solo tackles.
"Anthony did a great job and was as advertised through camp," stated Pukszyn. "He is going to be a big part of our secondary. We had to put an eighth man in the box to stop the run and he answered the call and did a great job against a physical team."
Junior linebacker Kevin Bracken ten tackles for Moravian with three tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up.
"Kevin's leadership has really shown through, and I'm excited for him and this season," Pukszyn said. "He's learned to be a physical linebacker and that showed today. His pass coverage was very good as well today."
Senior defensive back Rees Judge and Sinnig each had eight tackles and a pass break-up for the Greyhounds. Judge also forced a fumble while sophomore linebacker Brendan Downey added seven tackles. Sophomore linebacker Chernoh Shaw had both of Moravian's sacks in the game to go with three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Shaw and Richmond each had five tackles in the game.
Brian Hardenberg and Jake Santora each had ten tackles to lead the Bombers.
Moravian will kick off its 2013 Centennial Conference season on Saturday, September 14 in a 1:00 p.m. game at McDaniel College.