BANGOR, Maine — The Husson University football team will meet Salve Regina University in the ECAC’s Clayton Bowl Championship game at Central Connecticut University’s Arute Field on Friday at 4 p.m.
Husson and Salve Regina of Newport, Rhode Island, are both 7-2 and finished as runners-up in their respective leagues.
Only the league champions qualify for the NCAA Division III tournament and both lost narrow decisions to the titlists. Norwich (Vermont) edged Husson 20-17 to claim the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference title, and Western New England (Massachusetts) used a touchdown with nine seconds left to top Salve Regina 28-21 for the New England Football Conference crown.
They are two of 12 teams involved in this three-day format in which there will be six bowl games at Arute Field: Two on Friday, two each on Saturday and Sunday.
The Husson-Salve Regina game will be the first of the six contests.
“We’re very, very excited,” said Husson coach Gabby Price. “We’re grateful to the ECAC for selecting us. This will be the second year in a row we’ve played in a postseason game.”
Husson won the ECFC title last season and lost to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 27-20 in overtime, in an NCAA first-round game.
Price said the Eagles will have their hands full with the Salve Regina Seahawks.
“They have had a tremendous year,” said Price. “They could have gone to the NCAA tournament but lost with nine seconds left.
“They are very balanced offensively and defensively,” noted Price.
The Seahawks averaged 36.1 points and 469.1 total yards per game while allowing 19.1 points and 282.1 yards.
The Husson Eagles have averaged 37.2 points and 417 yards per game while surrendering 14.9 points and 200.7 yards.
The teams had one common opponent, Castleton (Vermont) University. Salve Regina beat the Spartans 32-14 on Sept. 19 and Husson topped Castleton 40-7 on Oct. 3.
Husson is coming off a 20-7 win over Mount Ida in which freshman Cory Brandon made his first start as quarterback, replacing the injured Joe Seccareccia. Brandon completed 12 of 21 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown.
He will go into the game having completed 22 of 37 passes for 264 yards and two TDs. He hasn’t been intercepted. Sophomore John Smith has rushed for 1,457 yards on 262 carries and 17 touchdowns.
Robenson Saintard has caught 33 passes for 290 yards and six TDs.
Ellis Throckmorton and Bryant Wade lead them in tackles with 67 and 60, respectively.
Salve Regina has been paced by junior quarterback Brandan Basil (155-of-266, 2115 yards and 27 TDs). Sam Pascale (229 carries, 1448 yards, 12 TDs) is the Seahawks top running back and Alex Hulme (62 catches, 1018 yards, 13 TDs) is the leading receiver.
Linebacker Danny Ives had a team-high 75 tackles. Ethan Gambale had 15 tackles vs. Western New England.