Geneseo opened the 2026 football season with a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback Friday night, rallying past Davenport Assumption for a 16-13 victory in a season opener that included a lengthy weather interruption.

Before the first quarter was even complete, play was stopped because of lightning. The delay lasted more than an hour before the teams were able to return to the field and resume play.

Once the game got moving again, the Green Machine did nearly all of its offensive damage on the ground, with three players surpassing 100 rushing yards. Luca Turigliatti led Geneseo with 147 yards on 23 carries, Mark Nelms rushed 19 times for 141 yards and a touchdown, and Jack Mickley added 111 yards on eight carries.

Those three alone combined for 399 rushing yards.

The victory required Geneseo to overcome a difficult first half in which two interceptions were returned for Assumption touchdowns.

Geneseo moved deep into Assumption territory on its opening possession before the first interception was returned for a score.

The Green Machine answered with a sustained drive that reached the Assumption 25-yard line, where Carson Peters connected on a field goal to put Geneseo on the scoreboard.

Another promising Geneseo drive in the second quarter ended even more painfully. After reaching the Assumption 7-yard line, the Green Machine attempted a pass on third down that was intercepted and returned for another defensive touchdown.

Geneseo's passing game finished 0-for-2 with two interceptions.

Despite the turnovers, Geneseo continued finding success on the ground and moved the ball into scoring territory multiple times before halftime, including a possession that reached the Assumption 6-yard line before ultimately ending without points.

Assumption was held scoreless offensively, with its 13 points coming from the two interception returns and an extra point. Geneseo's defense repeatedly forced the Knights to punt or turn the ball over on downs, giving the offense an opportunity to mount a comeback.

That comeback finally arrived in the fourth quarter.

Geneseo took possession at its own 6-yard line and put together a methodical 94-yard touchdown drive almost entirely on the ground. The Green Machine converted a fourth-and-2 from its own 26 along the way and continued grinding forward before Nelms broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown run.

Peters' extra point pulled Geneseo within 13-10.

The defense then delivered another stop, forcing Assumption to punt.

With the game tied 13-13, Geneseo took over at its own 18 and needed only three plays to take the lead.

After a 21-yard run and another nine-yard gain, Mickley broke free for a 52-yard scamper to the Assumption 1 yard line.

Carson Peters would kick the game winning field as time expired.

Geneseo held on from there to complete the comeback and secure the 16-13 victory.

Geneseo's ground attack produced contributions beyond its three 100-yard rushers. Brayden Cox carried three times for 33 yards, including a 32-yard run, while Harrison Hill added a 16-yard carry.

Turigliatti, Nelms and Mickley combined for 50 carries and 399 yards, an average of nearly eight yards per attempt.

Geneseo begins the 2026 season 1-0.