BANGOR, ME – The Utica College football team closed to within three points of host Husson University on two different occasions, but they could not climb all the way back after digging themselves a 13-0 deficit, and the Eagles went on to defeat UC 34-17 Saturday at Alfond Field.
Husson now owns a 3-2 all-time series advantage against the Pioneers after winning their last three consecutive meetings by a combined score of 65-27. With the loss the Pioneers drop to 0-2 on the season and they will host RPI next Saturday at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium for the 2008 home opener which is a part of the College's homecoming festivities. Husson improved to 1-1 with the win after dropping to Division II Merrimack University 42-7 last weekend.
Husson jumped out to a 13-0 lead less than 11 minutes into the first quarter. Justin Lindie (Winslow, ME) gave the Eagles a 6-0 lead when he capped the opening drive of the game with a six yard touchdown run. Husson kicker Darren Gauthier (Durham, ME) closed out the nine play, 56 yard drive by converting the extra point at the 11:10 mark of the first quarter. On the ensuing drive the Pioneers were forced to punt after just three plays and senior Empire 8 All Conference punter
Ben Atwood's (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) attempt was blocked and scooped up by Hussons' Keith Runne (Lake Hop, NJ). Runne returned the blocked punt 32 yards and suddenly Husson boasted a 13-0 lead with 9:15 left in the first quarter.
Things started to turn around for the Pioneers about 15 minutes later when UC sophomore quarterback
Keith Barone (Point Pleasant, NJ/Manchester Township) posted his first collegiate rushing touchdown to cut the Eagles lead to 13-7 with 9:40 left in the first half. The Pioneers started their first scoring drive on the Husson 26 yard line due to a mishandled snap that resulted in a turnover on downs after the Eagles lost 32 yards on the play. Barone accounted for 21 of the 26 yards needed to score and after junior kicker
Casey McNulty (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook) knocked down the extra point the Pioneers found themselves down just six points, 13-7.
UC forced a punt on the ensuing possession and the offense marched back on the field with 7:52 left in the half. After an 18-play, 64 yard drive the Pioneers were forced to settle for three points as McNulty split the up rights with a 32 yard field goal to cut the Husson lead to 13-10 headed into half time.
The Pioneers were forced to punt on their first possession of the second half, but field position was in the favor of UC as Atwood sailed a beautiful punt 48 yards which was downed by junior defensive back
Peter Vano (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) at the Husson two yard line. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, Husson was able to counter with an 81-yard touchdown pass from quarterback James McCandles (Hollywood, FL) to wide receiver Ben Grant (Winslow, ME) to raise the lead back to ten points, 20-10, with 10:21 left on the third quarter clock.
UC's defense was able to keep the game close after capitalizing on a McCandles fumble that was recovered in the end zone by sophomore linebacker
Terrell Cunningham (Rochester, NY/Marshall) with 5:22 left in the third quarter to once again cut the Husson lead to three points, 20-17. The touchdown marked the first of Cunningham's career and he closed out the day with four tackles for the UC defense.
Husson scored on the ensuing drive to close the door on the Pioneers' come back and extend the Eagles lead to double digits for the third time in the contest. Justin Lindie, Julius Williams (Boston, MA) and James McCandles combined for 60 yards rushing throughout the drive to give Husson the lead for good with 3:12 left in the third quarter. The Eagles added a touchdown to open the fourth quarter to slam the door shut on the Pioneers bid at their first victory of the season.
Husson's offensive attack was mostly on the ground as they rushed for 238 yards on 59 carries, good for an average of four yards per carry on the day. The majority of the Pioneers offense came in the air as Barrone completed 22-of-40 passes on the day, good for 190 yards. UC netted 86 total yards rushing on the day good for 277 yards of total offense.
Barone netted 33 yards rushing, while sophomore runningback
Brian Jones (Waterbury, CT/Wilby) and junior wide receiver
Cody Elliot (Sloan, NY/John F. Kennedy) each added 26 yards rushing on the ground for UC. Elliot also added seven catches for 88 yards and senior captain
Jim Pincher (Albany, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) caught four passes for 44 yards on the day.
Vano led the way for the Pioneer defense with nine total tackles, eight of which were solo. Junior
Sean Dixon (Sherill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) also registered a career-high nine tackles for the Pioneers, while junior captain
Eric Kahl (Lockwood, NY/Spencer-Van-Etten) had another stellar performance at linebacker posting eight total tackles to pace the Pioneers.
Next week's contest against visiting RPI is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. and the broadcast can be heard live locally on WIBX 950 AM. Streaming video will also be available at www.empire8.tv and live stats for the contest can be viewed at www.ucpioneers.com.
