The Geneva Golden Tornadoes defeated Saint Vincent by a score of 56-27, but the Bearcats were able to take home several positives after a strong second half showing.

Geneva started strong, shutting out SVC 36-0 in the first half, but the visiting Bearcats, playing their first night game in over 45 years, fought back with over 300 yards of total offense and outscored the hosts 27-20 over the final two quarters.

The Golden Tornadoes opened the scoring just four minutes into the game, as Gerard Muschette ran six yards for a score.  The 2-point conversion made it 8-0.  After an SVC fumble, Geneva drove 30 yards in four plays, capped by a Bobby Bondi pass to Ricky Shultz for 5 yards and another GC score that made it 15-0.

SVC was forced to punt on their next possession, and Chris Gillies attempt was blocked by the Golden Tornadoes, Geneva put together an 8-play, 39-yard drive, with Matt Dean's 1-yard run putting them up 22-0.

The Bearcats then held Geneva on their next two possessions, culminating in Jeremy Baker providing a key 14-yard sack on a fourth down play from the SVC 20 yard line to end a scoring threat.

However, after another blocked punt, Geneva took over on the SVC 1-yard line and Geneva quarterback David Girardi, who replaced the injured Bobby Bondi, ran for a one-yard score to make it 29-0.

A Bradley Roman interception set up another GC score, making it 36-0 at the half.

The Bearcats were a different team in the second half.  SVC forced a fumble on Geneva's opening drive of the half, then stopped the Golden Tornadoes on their second drive.  However, the Andy Stopchich punt was down on the SVC 2-yard line, and it appeared the Bearcats had their backs to the wall.

On the first play of the drive, QB Mike Speal dropped back into his own end zone and sent a pass toward the left sideline.  Rob James tipped the pass into the air, worked his way around a defender, then caught his own tipped ball, picked up blockers and scampered 85 yards to the Geneva 13-yard line.  Two plays later, Speal hit Sheldon Loughner for a 10-yard touchdown pass to put SVC on the board. 

Kicker Matt Houston added the extra point to make it 36-7, then perfectly placed an onside kick into the hands of SVC's Rich Rodi, giving SVC possession at midfield.  Logan Small then took a screen pass from Speal and ran 46 yards to the Geneva 3 yard line, and Speal punched it in three plays later to make it 36-13.

Geneva fought back to score again near the end of the third quarter, but SVC then began an 8-play, 77 yard scoring drive, highlighted by a Small run of 37 yards to the 5 yard line.  Speal hit fullback Joe Strickland with a 4-yard pass to make it 43-20.  After a pair of Geneva scores made it 56-20, SVC's Jordan Cleary took over at quarterback, and connected with Greg Chinchilla on two fade routes.  The first covered 31 yards, the second was good for 18 yards and a touchdown, with Chinchilla managing to make a tough catch and get a foot down in the end zone.  The score came with just 9 seconds left in the game, ending the scoring at 56-27.

Logan Small was SVC's top rusher with 37 net yards on the evening.  Speal was 11-of-33 passing, for 195 yards and two touchdowns.  Dan Blaskowski had 5 catches for 49 yards, while Chinchilla had a pair of receptions good for 49 yards.    Jacob Kiefer paced the defense with 7 tackles, with Brian Smith adding 6.5. Jeremy Baker recorded two sacks. 

Matt Curry led all rushers with 76 for Geneva, while Girardi was 9-for-18 passing.  Before injuring his ankle, Bondi was 3-4.

SVC (0-8) is back in action on Saturday afternoon at 1PM at Grove City.