LATROBE, Pa. – Hilbert College Football opened its 2026 season on Saturday afternoon, falling to Saint Vincent by a 60-6 score in a non-conference matchup.
The host Bearcats wasted little time getting on the board, scoring on a 59-yard touchdown pass just nine seconds into the game before adding two more first-quarter touchdowns to build a 20-0 advantage. Saint Vincent continued its offensive momentum into the second quarter, extending the lead to 27-0 before the Hawks put together their best drive of the afternoon.
Following an interception by
Kaden Beckerink, Hilbert capitalized on the short field with a six-play, 52-yard scoring drive. Behind the running of
Jeremy Ganska and a 15-yard completion from
Noah Workman to
Nicholas West, the Hawks marched to the goal line, where Ganska punched in a two-yard touchdown run with 9:16 remaining in the half for his fist colleigate score. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, making the score 27-6.
The Bearcats answered with two more touchdowns before halftime and added three second-half scores to secure the victory. Saint Vincent finished with 611 yards of total offense, including 347 passing yards and six touchdown passes from quarterback Jake Phillips.
Hilbert's ground game led the way offensively throughout the afternoon.
Jeremy Ganska rushed for a game-high 106 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while adding four receptions for 28 yards.
Jeremiah Rey contributed 35 rushing yards, and
Marist Veres Royal made three catches for 17 yards
Defensively,
Kaden Beckerink recorded six tackles and an interception, while
Scotty Winchell also finished with six total tackles.
Amir Swanson,
Zach Brown,
Marquez Velez, and
Neven Dermady each added five tackles. The Hawks also blocked two extra-point attempts, with Sherrad Patterson and
Evan Pugliese each recording a block.
UP NEXT:
The Hawks stay on the road for week 2, when the team travels to take on Alfred State College on Saturday, September 12
th for a 6 PM kickoff at Pioneer Stadium.
