Michael Ruisch and the Susquehanna University football team recently finished off a 9-2 season, including winning their first seven games and then the final one, a Centennial-MAC Bowl Series victory over Widener University.

While the Riverhawks finished just short of a conference championship, the program is in one of the best spots it has been in its history.

“We did not meet our goal as a team of winning the conference championship, but we had a great year,” said Ruisch. “For the first time in school history we have won at least eight games in four straight seasons. We ended the season at 9-2 and won our third bowl game in three years. I had a blast playing with my friends from school and playing against some former teammates.”

Although Ruisch concluded his fourth year at Susquehanna, it was just his third official season because of 2020 getting canceled due to COVID-19. Ruisch already plans on coming back to play in one final season next fall.

“I will be using my last year of eligibility and coming back for an extra semester at Susquehanna,” Ruisch said. “I’m going to miss the seniors that are leaving in the spring, but I cannot wait to get back on the field with this team. We have tremendous potential and a lot of key players coming back. We’re coming into next season with the same goals we had last year, win the conference championship and go to the national playoffs.”

The decision to stay another season seemed to be an easy one for Ruisch, who has thoroughly enjoyed his time as a student-athlete at Susquehanna.

“I wholeheartedly think I made the best decision for me, choosing Susquehanna,” said Ruisch. “I have made friends that will last a lifetime and have had experiences that I wish I could do all over again. This University has treated me so well and I will forever be grateful for that.”

Ruisch has played in 33 games in three seasons as the starting quarterback. He contributed from his first day on campus and has become the program’s all-time leader in touchdown passes with 64.

Last fall Ruisch finished third in the Centennial Conference with 229.8 passing yards per game and 29 touchdown passes.

“Coming in my freshmen year, the previous starting quarterback had graduated so the spot was up for grabs,” Ruisch said. “I had to battle against six other quarterbacks for the starting position throughout camp. It was only about a week before our first game that my coach had told me I won the position. I have had to work hard every year to still be in the position I am.”

While at Parkland, Ruisch was not only part of multiple District 11 champions on the field, but also received academic honors in the classroom that has helped him remain a successful student-athlete in college.

“My time as a student-athlete thoroughly prepared me for being in the classroom at college and playing collegiate football,” said Ruisch. “I thank all the teachers and coaches at Parkland that have helped me become who I am today.”

Following his last season of football next fall, Ruisch will look to start his career as a financial adviser or stock analyst.