Gettysburg (3-5, 3-4 CC) racked up a season-high 620 yards of offense behind Abdul-Karim and senior quarterback Danny Thompson (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills). Abdul-Karim tied the second-highest receiving yardage total in program history on just four catches, while tying the program mark for touchdowns. All three of those scoring tosses came from Thompson, who finished with a career-high 317 yards passing and four touchdowns.
Gettysburg was on its game from the outset with a big defensive play on Moravian's opening drive. The Greyhounds lined up for a punt when junior Nick Corbi (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) busted through the line and swatted Aaron Brown's kick down to the ground. Sophomore Mike McKnight (West Chester, Pa./Bayard Rustin) scooped up the loose ball and raced 27 yards to the end zone for Gettysburg's first blocked punt return for a touchdown in 11 years.
On Moravian's ensuing drive, senior Derek Singer (New Providence, N.J./New Providence) picked off Kordell Theadford's first pass in Moravian territory. Two play later, junior Justin Walsh (Northfield, N.J./Mainland Regional) rushed in from a yard out to give the Bullets a 14-0 lead.
Gettysburg did not waste any time in making it a 21-0 advantage. On its first play of its second offensive possession, Thompson threw a pass to Abdul-Karim near the left sideline. Despite two defenders close on his heels, the speedy wide receiver broke loose for an 87-yard run to paydirt, marking the second-longest touchdown reception in school history.
Moravian put its first points on the board early in the second quarter with a Theadford pass to Jalen Snyder-Scipio. The Greyhounds turned in the longest drive of the game on their next possession of the quarter, but every yard was hard-earned against a stingy Gettysburg defense. The Bullets racked up a pair of sacks by senior Michael Pennella (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) and freshman Ryan Greene (Easton, Pa./Easton) before forcing a turnover on downs on their own 32-yard line.
The solid defense turned into offense as Abdul-Karim raced past the secondary for another touchdown, this time covering 46 yards and giving the Bullets a 28-7 margin with 1:47 remaining in the first half.
Gettysburg's quick-strike offense posted another score before the break with junior Justin Davidov (Ossining, N.Y./Ossining) leading the drive. Davidov rushed three times for 33 yards and completed four passes for 33 more yards, including a five-yard toss to Walsh to put the score at 35-7.
Thompson and Abdul-Karim weren't quite done lighting fireworks. Early in the third quarter, Thompson fired a quick pass to the left sideline to the junior wide receiver. After dodging the first defender, Abdul-Karim raced through the secondary eating up another 64 yards before touching the end zone for the third time.
After Moravian scored to make it 42-14, Thompson kept Gettysburg's ensuing drive alive with a 52-yard pass on third down to sophomore Matt McFadden (Morristown, N.J./Morristown Beard). The play set up another red zone opportunity and Thompson cashed in with his fourth touchdown throw to sophomore Chase Fee (Spotswood, N.J./Spotswood) with 4:23 left in the third quarter.
Freshman Justin Geisel (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Country Day School) capped the scoring with a 28-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
Thompson and Davidov combined to go 21-of-25 for 381 yards. Davidov led the rushing attack with 61 yards on 11 carries, while Walsh picked up 53 yards on nine carries. Senior Jordan Kelso (Cookstown, N.J./Bordentown Regional) hauled in five catches for 46 yards and McFadden ended up with 71 yards on three receptions.
Gettysburg racked up five sacks and nine tackles for a loss in the game. Junior Frank Olmo (Eatontown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) finished with a team-high 14 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and one sack. Sophomore linebacker Luke Spahits (Ambler, Pa./Archbishop Wood) ended up with a career-high nine tackles and a sack, while Singer posted eight stops.
Theadford finished 19-of-38 for 245 yards, while also leading Moravian in rushing with 102 yards on 21 carries. Chris Negron carried the ball 27 times for 89 yards. Aaron Hudson posted 105 yards receiving on seven catches. Edward Delia paced the Greyhound defense with a game-high 15 tackles.
Gettysburg heads to Dickinson College (0-8, 0-7 CC) to battle for the Little Brown Bucket next Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. It will be the 82nd meeting between the long-time rivals with the Bullets holding a 44-35-2 advantage. Gettysburg has won each of the last three meetings with the Red Devils.