BANGOR, Maine — With four minutes left in the second quarter on Saturday afternoon, SUNY Maritime was deadlocked with Husson University. By the end of the half, the Privateers were reeling.
The Eagles forced two fumbles and scored twice in the final 39 seconds of the quarter en route to a 40-14 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference victory at the Winkin Complex.
Husson (6-1, 5-0 ECFC) cashed in on four of SUNY Maritime’s six turnovers to extend its winning streak to five games.
“We were absolutely resilient today,” said senior quarterback Joe Seccareccia (14-for-23 passing, 158 yards, 3 touchdowns). “We knew that they were going to come out firing in the first and second quarter, so in the second half we had to bring it to them.”
The Privateers (3-5, 1-5 ECFC) ground out 150 yards in the first half, but the Eagles held them to 60 after that.
Safety Jean Gabriel led Husson with nine tackles, while noseguard Matt Pellerin (7 tackles) and linebacker Alonzo Connor (6) also played well.
“We made a couple adjustments, cleaned up a couple things and locked it up pretty well in the second half,” said linebacker Ellis Throckmorton.
Husson’s balanced offense featured tailback John Smith (34 carries, 133 yds., 2 TDs).
“We’re versatile and that’s what makes us a good team,” Seccareccia said.
The game turned after Privateers back Brett McKinney (15 carries, 90 yds., 2 TDs) fumbled on a hit by Pellerin and Connor recovered at the Maritime 48.
Wideout Robenson Saintard went 10 yards on a reverse for the go-ahead score and Seth Freudenberger’s PAT made it 21-14 with 39 seconds left.
The Eagles got the ball back two plays later when Throckmorton caused Nick Fischetti to fumble and Wade recovered at the 38.
Seccareccia lofted a pass to the back of the end zone, where Deon Wiggins (4 catches, 58 yds., 2 Tds) made a leaping grab as time expired to extend the lead to 28-14.
“He just throws it up, I go get it,” Wiggins said. “I knew we needed a big play and I wanted to go into halftime with everybody energized.”
Husson built momentum by driving 80 yards on 13 plays, converting three third-down plays, to start the second half. A 37-yard pass from Seccareccia to Greg Moore set up Smith’s 3-yard scoring run.
“There were some big third-down plays,” Price said. “It really was as good a drive as we’ve had here in a while.”
The Eagles ended the suspense with a 12-play march to open the fourth. It culminated in a 10-yard toss from Seccareccia to D.J. Allen.
“I thought we had to take some time off the clock because we didn’t want them controlling the ball,” Price said.
After a fumble, Husson went ahead on a 16-yard pass from Seccareccia to Wiggins, but Maritime countered on McKinney’s 5-yard run. The Eagles responded with a lengthy drive and Smith’s 1-yard TD dive.
Maritime equalized when McKinney’s 52-yard burst set up his 3-yard scoring run.