BANGOR, Maine — Husson University rode a 39-carry, 198-yard rushing performance from John Smith and a stingy defensive effort to a 20-7 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference victory over Mount Ida at Winkin Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Smith scored on a 3-yard run in the second quarter and went 18 yards for a score in the fourth quarter to pace the Eagles (7-2).
Freshman quarterback Cory Brandon completed 12 of 21 passes for 110 yards and a score and was not intercepted, while Robenson Saintard made four receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown.
Husson’s win and Norwich’s loss to Castleton gave the Eagles a share of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference title, but Norwich wins the tiebreaker and gains the berth in the NCAA Division III tourney by virtue of its victory over Husson last week.
Husson, which limited the Mustangs to seven first downs and 108 total yards on Saturday, was led defensively by linebackers Ellis Throckmorton (13 tackles) and Bryant Wade (10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery). Rick Orio and Jean Gabriel came up with interceptions.
Andrew Light went 3-for-6 passing for 78 yards for Mount Ida (2-8). Sean Chinova (13 tackles) and Matt Martin (12) were the defensive standouts for the Mustangs.
Husson broke a scoreless deadlock with 8:29 remaining in the second quarter. Smith closed out an eight-play, 53-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run and Seth Freudenberger added the PAT kick.
The Eagles weren’t able to extend the lead until the 1:59 mark of the third quarter. After Orio intercepted Junior smith at the Mount Ida 29, Brandon hit Saintard on a 10-yard touchdown hookup and Freudenberger’s kick made it 14-0.
Husson added another TD after the Mustangs failed on a fourth-down play at their own 29. Two plays later, Smith scooted 18 yards for a score.
Mount Ida ruined the shutout at 10:02 of the fourth quarter when Travis O’Brien closed out a 72-yard march with a 2-yard scoring run.
MMA 17, Nichols 8
At Dudley, Massachusetts, fullback James Ferrar rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday afternoon, sparking Maine Maritime Academy of Castine to a New England Football Conference victory over Nichols.
Quarterback Michael Fahey picked up 68 yards on 18 carries for the Mariners (3-6 overall, 2-5 NEFC), who beat the Bison for the fourth straight time despite mounting only 202 total yards.
Zachary Faskianos led the Mariners defense with eight tackles, while Michael Burgess posted six tackles and a sack.
QB Brian Hummel went 11-for-28 passing for 186 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Nichols (1-9, 0-7 NEFC). Derrick Warren made six receptions for 161 yards and a score.
The Mariners took the lead for good early in the second quarter. Ferrar closed out a seven-play, 54-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run and Chad Martin added the PAT kick.
MMA extended the lead almost four minutes into the second half after a short punt and a penalty gave the Mariners the ball at the Nichols 25. They settled for a 37-yard Martin field goal that made it 10-0.
The Bison answered late in the quarter when backed up on their own 1-yard line. However, Hummel found Warren on a 99-yard scoring pass and the conversion pass cut MMA’s lead to 10-8 with 27 seconds left in the third.
The Mariners finally got the clincher after Justin Lovely’s interception and 33-yard return put them at the Nichols 21. Four plays later, Ferrar scored from five yards out.
Brett McEvoy paced the Bison with 14 tackles, while T.J. Ellison and Matt McEvilly had 12 and 11, respectively.