Freshman Cory Brandon from Pembroke, Massachusetts, will be quarterbacking the Husson University Eagles for an important regular season finale against visiting Mount Ida at noon Saturday in Bangor.
Husson coach Gabby Price said senior three-year starter Joe Seccareccia suffered a career-ending fractured foot in the fourth quarter of the 20-17 loss at Norwich University last Saturday.
Brandon came on and threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Allen and will enter the Mount Ida game having completed 10-of-16 passes for 154 yards. He completed 4-of-6 for 37 yards against Norwich.
“We recruited Cory out of high school, but he went to an NAIA school first. He joined us last spring and played spring football with us,” said Price. “We’re excited about his progress. He has played in some games for us and has done a good job.”
Brandon has played in seven games.
“We’re very confident in Brandon,” Price added.
Seccareccia, the former Bangor High School standout quarterback, concluded his Husson career with 264 completions in 499 attempts for 3,366 yards, 37 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
He also ran for 544 yards on 165 carries and rushed for seven touchdowns.
He completed 108 of 188 passes this season for 1,447 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for three touchdowns while gaining 135 yards on 39 carries.
Seccareccia transferred to Husson from Southern Connecticut State and was a safety his first year before being moved back to quarterback.
Husson went 17-5 with him at quarterback including a 12-1 record in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference play the past two years. He guided Husson to the ECFC title a year ago and the school’s first NCAA Division III Tournament berth.
“He has had a great career,” said Price. “You judge a quarterback by his ability to get the ball across the goal line, win games and provide leadership, and Joe did all of those things.”
Husson will take a 6-2 record, 5-1 in conference play, into the game against Mount Ida, which is 2-7 and 2-4, respectively.
Norwich’s victory earned the Cadets the league title and the NCAA berth, but Husson could earn an ECAC bowl game spot with a victory.
Twelve teams will earn ECAC berths, and there will be six bowl games played on Nov. 20-22 at Central Connecticut State University. There will be two games apiece on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“Twenty-six teams have applied,” said Price, who feels his team has to win this weekend to have a chance to earn a berth.
“It’s not the NCAA tournament but it would certainly be fun,” he said.
Saturday also is Seniors Day, and Price said that “what our seniors have accomplished is remarkable.”