By Reagan Thomas · Staff Writer
The Grove City College football team opened its 132nd season Saturday afternoon with a 28-18 loss to No. 23 Cortland at Robert E. Thorn Field.
Despite the loss, the Wolverines showed resilience by battling back from a 25-point deficit against a nationally ranked opponent.
Making his first collegiate start, sophomore quarterback Mike Hollomon threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns while completing 20 of 40 passes to eight different receivers. Although the result was disappointing, Hollomon said the game provided valuable lessons about himself and the offense.
“I personally grew in understanding how vision frees us to get our eyes off of ourselves,” Hollomon said. “After a first half where I didn’t play up to the standard, I was able to step out of the way in the second half and let the vision take over.”
The Red Dragons built an early lead behind senior running back Ethan Gallo’s 28-yard touchdown run and two rushing scores from junior quarterback Mike Rescigno. With the score 21-0, sophomore kicker Brady Lane opened Grove City’s scoring in the second half with a 34-yard field goal. After Cortland extended its advantage to 28-3 late in the third quarter, the Wolverines began finding their rhythm offensively.
“Despite being down 25 at one point, there were no complaints or negativity,” Hollomon said. “Everyone was bought in to executing the next play regardless of how the one before went. We live by the phrase, ‘normal to be challenged, wrong to be defeated.’ Saturday showed me that our guys refused to be defeated.”
Hollomon connected with junior receiver Sam Penna on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 12:41 remaining in the game before finding senior Daniel Sullivan on a 47-yard scoring strike later in the quarter. Hollomon’s two-point conversion cut the deficit to 28-18 with 8:33 remaining.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines had an opportunity to narrow the score further after reaching the Cortland 34-yard line. However, Cortland senior cornerback Nazair Jean-Lubin intercepted a deflected pass with 2:44 left to secure the victory.
One of the biggest bright spots for Grove City was the chemistry displayed throughout the passing game. Hollomon spread the ball to eight different receivers, including Sullivan, who finished with four catches for a team-high 69 yards, and Penna, who totaled six receptions for 48 yards.
“It is such a blessing to have the guys I have to throw to,” Hollomon said. “Not many teams are able to get eight people the ball with confidence in each one of them. We have playmakers all over the field.”
Hollomon credited not only the talent of the receiving corps but also the close relationships formed off the field.
“I truly mean it when I say I love these guys and would not rather throw to anyone else,” he said. “It’s more than football. There’s a deep brotherhood in our offense.”
The comeback effort reflected adjustments made at halftime after a sluggish opening half. Hollomon said execution, rather than strategy, was the primary issue.
“We had what we wanted. Our coaches put a phenomenal game plan together,” Hollomon said. “Halftime was a gut-check, and after an electrifying speech from coach DiDonato, we came out of the locker room with nothing to lose and a tenacity we were missing in the first half.”
Senior running back Chase Rankin paced Grove City’s ground attack with 83 yards on 26 carries as the Wolverines finished with 359 yards of total offense. Defensively, junior linebacker Danny Franco recorded a game-high 12 tackles while junior safety Mason Clouse added nine stops.
Although Hollomon’s debut produced impressive statistics, he emphasized that the program’s culture prevents players from measuring success solely through individual numbers or wins and losses.
“Football was never meant to fulfill us. Christ fulfills us,” Hollomon said. “So whether we win or lose, we are full. Our morale doesn’t change based on the outcome because our purpose is bigger than football.”
The Wolverines also view the season opener as an important step toward their long-term goals.
“We are serious about competing for PAC and national championships,” Hollomon said. “I’m thankful for Saturday not because of the score, but because of how much we’ll learn from it. Playing a top 25 team in Week One will help us in the long run.”
Now, Grove City turns its attention to another nationally recognized program as the Wolverines travel to Mount Union Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff in Alliance, Ohio.
“I’m so excited for next week because there are so many ways to improve,” Hollomon said. “It’s about trusting reads, playing fast, full and free, and bringing a game-like intensity to every rep of practice.”
