BANGOR, Maine — The Husson University Eagles unveiled a new running threat on Saturday afternoon in freshman John Smith and he responded.
Smith, who had just one carry in Husson’s first two games, rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries and the Husson defense held Norwich University to just 134 total yards as the Eagles triumphed 20-10 at the Winkin Complex.
It was the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference opener for both teams.
Husson is now 2-1 overall while Norwich of Vermont is 2-2.
“John is a very talented kid from a great program (Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville, Georgia),” said Husson coach Gabby Price. “It was just a matter of time. He had to get his feet wet.”
Husson (2-1) was without injured running backs Ryan Dorso and Kyle McKinnon but Smith teamed up with sophomore Logan Steward of Hampden (20 carries, 79 yards, TD) to pick up the slack.
Smith opened the scoring by capping an eight-play, 95-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run that came with 9:55 left in the first quarter.
The Cadets responded with a 10-play, 43-yard drive that produced Wesley Medeiros’ 41-yard field goal to make it 6-3 with 2:35 left in the quarter.
The Eagles took the ensuing kickoff and went 70 yards in five plays with Steward’s 17-yard scamper making it 13-3 with 14 seconds left.
A 44-yard pass from Joe Seccareccia to his former Bangor High School teammate Josiah Hartley highlighted the drive.
Husson expanded the lead with the only touchdown of the second quarter after Shabashe McIntosh’s 16-yard punt return gave the Eagles the ball at the N-29. Smith ran 11 yards to complete a two-play, 29-yard drive.
Keyen Foley pulled the Cadets within 20-10 with a 7-yard run with 2:55 left in the third quarter, but the Cadets couldn’t get any closer as the Husson defense was stout.
“The defense was phenomenal,” said Price. “They couldn’t run the ball. It’s tough [to win] if you can’t run the ball.”
Husson held Norwich to 46 rushing yards on 35 attempts.
Senior strong safety Stephan Dance had a game-high 14 tackles, including 10 solos, to pace the Eagle defense along with sophomore linebacker Ellis Throckmorton of Bangor (11 tackles, 27-yard interception).
Matt Pellerin of Leeds had 1 1/2 sacks among his six tackles. Price also praised the efforts turned in by end Jeff Turcotte of Lewiston (5 tackles), linebacker Nelson Perez (4 tackles) and cornerback Kenny Sweet (interception) of Portland. Jordan Hersom of Turner also had an interception.
Seccareccia completed 12 of 20 passes for 172 yards. He was intercepted three times. Deon Wiggins had four catches for 83 yards.
Foley completed 11 of 29 passes for 88 yards and three interceptions. He was also Norwich’s leading rusher with 22 on 15 carries.