Geneva Golden Tornadoes football
| Geneva Golden Tornadoes football | |
|---|---|
NCAA and NCCAA | |
| Conference | Presidents' Athletic Conference |
| Past conferences | NAIA |
| All-time record | 558–535–49 (.510) |
| Bowl record | 6–1–0 (.857) |
| Claimed national titles | 5 |
| Rivalries | Westminster College Titans Waynesburg University Yellowjackets Grove City Wolverines |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
| Colors | Black and Old Gold |
| Website | Geneva College Football |
The Geneva Golden Tornadoes football program represents
History
Early years (1890–1925)
Geneva College played its first season of football in 1890. The season consisted of one game, where the team played against the
In 1900,
Bo McMillin, Cal Hubbard, and decade of success (1925–1935)
Coach
Geneva was led by standout All-American
In 1927, McMillin led the Covies to another impressive season. The 8–0–1 record included a victory over Boston College. The lone tie was against Bucknell.
The two seasons after McMillin left Geneva saw the Covies post disappointing records of 5–5 and 2–6–1. In 1930, Howard Harpster took over as head coach of the Covies. Harpster posted records of 9–1 in 1930, 6–2–2 in 1931, and 7–3 in 1932. Harpster's teams earned victories against West Virginia, Marshall, and Boston University. After an underperforming 1934 season, the 1935 team went 8-1 under second year coach Dwight V. Beede. From 1925 to 1935, Geneva posted a record of 68–31–6 (.647 winning percentage). After the 1935 season, Geneva posted three more winning seasons until the suspension of play for World War II from 1943 to 1945.
Post-World War II teams (1946–1960)
Geneva College suited its first post-World War II football squad in 1946. The Covies, following an opening day loss to Youngstown, finished the season with seven straight victories. During the win streak, the Geneva defense surrendered a total of nine points. The offense was led by running back Larry Bruno, who went on to earn All-American honors. Bruno was the only Geneva College player to officially receive the honor. The following year, Geneva posted a 7–2 record. The 1947 defense was also impressive, pitching six shutouts. After a disappointing 1948 campaign, Geneva earned a 7–2–1 mark in 1949, and an 8–1 record in 1950. The Covies finished out the decade with six additional winning seasons. During the decade, the team was re-nicknamed the Golden Tornadoes.
Down years (1960–1986)
Between 1960 and 1986, the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes posted only five winning seasons. In 1971, Geneva went 7–2, matching the win total for the previous seven seasons combined. The following year, the 1972 team went 8–1, with the only defeat coming in the last game of the season against rival Westminster. Apart from the '81 and '83 seasons, Geneva failed to achieve another winning season during this period, and finished 12 seasons during the 27 with one win or fewer.
Return to success (1987–1992)
The 1987 Geneva College Golden Tornadoes, led by coach
For the second year in a row, the 1988 Geneva College Golden Tornadoes posted an 8–2 regular-season record. However, Geneva was not awarded a playoff berth. Sullivan led the GTs for four more seasons, going 18–19–1.
DeMarco Years (1993–present)
Since DeMarco took over the head coaching position, the Golden Tornadoes have enjoyed the longest period of success in school history. The team was frequently ranked in the NAIA top 25, including several top ten and top five rankings. In 1998, the team earned a #1 ranking in the NAIA poll. The team has also played in six Victory Bowl games, an NCCAA record. The team has won the bowl game five times, including the 2009 Victory Bowl, another NCCAA record.
NAIA power (1993–2006)
Geno DeMarco took over the Geneva College program in 1993. In his first season as head coach, the school's leader in all-time wins, led Geneva to a 4–5 record. The following year, the GTs improved to 6–3. In 1995, the DeMarco led Golden Tornadoes made it back to NAIA playoffs. After an impressive 9–1 regular season, Geneva fell to Malone University in the first round of the playoffs. Both loses that season came against Malone, and were also by one point. Geneva again lost in the first round of the playoffs in 1996, going 7–3. In 1997, the Golden Tornadoes, following an opening day loss, won eleven straight games, including a win in the first round of the playoffs.
In 1998, Geneva won eight games, including the NCCAA Victory Bowl against
Geneva joins the PAC (2007–present)
In 2007, the team joined the NCAA Division-III as a provisional member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference. The Golden Tornadoes went 8–3 for the season, including several victories over renewed rivals. The team again found a post-season berth in the NCCAA Victory Bowl, but lost to Malone. In 2008, the Golden Tornadoes started off the season slow with a 1–5 record, but went on to win their last four games, including a victory over conference champion Thomas More. This loss would prove to be the only loss for the Saints in the PAC through the 2010 season. In 2009, the Golden Tornadoes posted an impressive 8–3 record. The team won their first Victory Bowl in six years, in a dramatic fashion. Trailing the entire game, the GTs got the ball deep in their own territory with little more than two minutes remaining. The team marched down the field, including converting a long fourth down, for the game-winning field goal with seconds to spare.
The 2010 Golden Tornadoes again finished their season in dramatic fashion. Geneva battled with rival Westminster through three overtimes, ultimately winning 30–24. Trailing 17–14 late in the fourth quarter, Senior quarterback David Girardi led the GTs to the Westminster 1-yard line. A field goal forced overtime. In the first overtime period, Geneva held Westminster to a long field goal attempt which missed. However, Geneva also missed its field goal as it hit the upright. In the second overtime, Girardi connected on a touchdown pass which was later matched by Westminster. In the third overtime period, the GT defense again stood strong, forcing a field goal which was blocked. Finally, the Golden Tornadoes won the game on a Gerard Muschette touchdown run. Muschette, who earlier in the game had set the school's career rushing yards record, was stormed by his teammates and carried off the field.
Alumni and notable players
- Larry Bruno
- Melvin Cobbs
- Sam Cooper
- Red Davis
- Reynold Dempsey
- Cal Hubbard
- Gerard Muschette
- Jason Candle
Head coaches
Geneva College has had 29 head football coaches over its 120 seasons of collegiate football. Current coach, Geno DeMarco, holds Geneva College records for most seasons coached (18) and most wins (116). J.B. Craig holds the highest winning percentage at .859. Eight coaches are tied for least seasons at 1 year. Dick Lasse has the lowest winning percentage at .054 and is tied with two others few fewest wins (1).[3]
Tradition
Rivalries
Geneva College has several long-standing rivalries. The school's biggest rival is close neighbor, Westminster College. In football, the schools have been playing games since 1891. As of 2010, the teams have met 113 times, making it one of the longest rivalries in college football. Although Westminster maintains the all-time series lead, Geneva has won 7 of the last 10, dating back to 1994, and since joining the Presidents' Athletic Conference, 3 of the last 4. Other longtime rivalries have been renewed since Geneva joined the PAC. Chief among these rivals are Waynesburg University and Grove City College.
Primary rivals
The Geneva College Golden Tornadoes' main rivals are the Westminster College Titans. The football teams meet in a contest simply dubbed, "The Game". The teams first met in 1891, and have met a total 113 times, as of 2010. The 2010 version of "The Game" proved to be one of the most dramatic game in the series, as it took Geneva College three overtimes to emerge victorious. Geneva College also has long rivalries with fellow PAC members, Grove City College and Waynesburg University.
| Rival Game | Rival | Games Played | First Meeting | Last Meeting | GT Won | GT Lost | Ties | GT % | Streak | Recent wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Game | Westminster Titans | 113 | 1891 | 2010 | 43 | 62 | 8 | .381 | 1 win | 7 of last 10 |
| Grove City Wolverines | 82 | 1893 | 2010 | 41 | 34 | 7 | .500 | 1 loss | 2 of last 4 | |
| Waynesburg Yellowjackets | 73 | 1908 | 2010 | 29 | 40 | 4 | .397 | 1 loss | 2 of last 4 |
Since Geneva's joining of the Presidents' Athletic Conference in 2007, the Golden Tornadoes have played each of these rivals every season. At times, these rivalries were suspended as Geneva was an NAIA member. However, the teams will meet every year as conference foes.
New rivals
Geneva College is well on its way to making new rivals with conference opponent St. Vincent's College. The St. Vincent Bearcats joined the Presidents' Athletic Conference a season prior to Geneva. Thus, both teams shared the 'provisional member' status for the 2007–2009 seasons. In 2009, the teams agreed to play a second game, outside of the normal conference match. Although Geneva has dominated the series (5–0) since 2007, the Golden Tornadoes and Bearcats have participated in close, physical games, which could lead to a full-fledge rivalry as both teams become full PAC members.
Lost rivalries
- Allegheny Gators
The Gators and the Geneva College 'Covies' first met in 1899, and have played 43 games. The rivalry got off to a quick start, with the teams meeting 15 times in the first ten seasons. Geneva leads the all-time series 41–17–4. The teams have not met since 1979.
- Duquesne Dukes
The GTS met the Duquesne Dukes 31 times, with the first game in 1897. The teams played frequently in the 1920s and early '30s. The rivalry was renewed in the 1980s where the teams met for 11 straight seasons, with Geneva winning 6 games. The teams have not played each other since 1990. Geneva holds the all-time series lead 19–12.
- University of Pittsburgh
Geneva's first opponent was also their first rival. Pitt maintains the series led 16–10 over the GTs. All of the games between the two schools took place between 1890 and 1924. The teams met three times in 1891, with Geneva winning the series 2–1.
Season-by-season results
Post-season bowl appearances
Geneva College has appeared in seven post season bowl games. The Golden Tornadoes have had good success, going 6–1 all-time in bowl games. The Golden Tornadoes have also decline two bowl invitations. (2000 Victory Bowl and 2007 ECAC Bowl).
| Date | Bowl Game | Home | Visitor | Outcome | Stadium | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1 1927 | Orange Blossom Football Classic
|
Geneva College | Olgethorpe University | W 9–7 | Fairfield Stadium (neutral site) | Jacksonville, FL |
| 1998 | Victory Bowl | Geneva College | Maranatha Baptist Bible College | W 27–6 | Fawcett Stadium (neutral site) | Canton, OH |
| 1999 | Victory Bowl | Geneva College | MidAmerica Nazarene | W 31–26 | Fawcett Stadium (neutral site) | Canton, OH |
| 2002 | Victory Bowl | Northwestern(MN) | Geneva College | W 19–9 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | Minneapolis, MN |
| 2003 | Victory Bowl | Geneva College | North Greenville College | W 37–14 | Reeves Field | Beaver Falls, PA |
| 2007 | Victory Bowl | Geneva College | Malone University | L 45–17 | Reeves Field | Beaver Falls, PA |
| 2009 | Victory Bowl | Greenville College | Geneva College | W 29–28 | Francis Field | Greenville, IL |
Post-season playoff appearances
Prior to joining NCAA Division-III, Geneva College competed in eight NAIA playoff games, finishing with a record of 4–4 (including forfeit victory) and reaching the national semi-finals in 1987. The Golden Tornadoes joined the Presidents' Athletic Conference in 2007 and had to undergo a four-year provisional period, where they were ineligible for the NCAA Division-III playoffs, and conference awards. In 2007, the Golden Tornadoes would have finished second in the PAC, with a 7–1 record against PAC opponents. Had they not been provisional members, the GTs might have qualified for the NCAA Division-III playoffs.
| Date | Playoff Game | Opponent | Outcome | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | NAIA First-Round | Bluffton University | W 16–13 | |
| 1987 | NAIA Second-Round | Westminster College | W 16–15 | |
| 1987 | NAIA Semi-Finals | Wisconsin-Stevens Point | W 25–48 | UW-SP forfeited the victory for use of an ineligible player. |
| 1995 | NAIA First Round | Malone University | L 23–24 | |
1996
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NAIA First Round | Findlay University | L 13–38 | |
| 1997 | NAIA First Round | Campbellsville University | W 34–13 | |
| 1997 | NAIA Second Round | Findlay University | L 7–28 | |
| 2005 | NAIA First Round | Georgetown College | L 35–36 |
Records
Career records
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Rushing
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Receiving
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References
- ^ "Geneva College Football". Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ 2010 Geneva College Media Guide geneva.edu
- ^ a b c d Football media guide geneva.edu
- ^ "Bo McMillin Coaching Record | College Football at Sports-Reference.com". Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- ^ "Centre vs. Harvard - "Bo" McMillin". Archived from the original on August 8, 2010. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- ^ Jacksonville [dead link]
- ^ "Robert (Cal) Hubbard | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site".
- ^ "Media Guide (PDF) - Geneva College, a Christian College in Pennsylvania (PA)". Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2017.