CANTON, N.Y.—The Norwich University football team improved to 2-0 with a 20-7 non-conference victory against St. Lawrence University on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Saints fall to 0-2.
The Cadets wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as the Cadets used 14 plays to travel 75 yards in the first half, allowing Danny Triplett (Haverhill, Mass.) to run a one-yard touchdown rush to give the Cadets a 6-0 advantage at the 8:24 mark.
A blocked extra-point attempt would give St. Lawrence a chance to take the lead, and with 38 seconds remaining in the first quarter Mike Tatiosian caught a seven-yard pass from St. Lawrence quarterback Zane Fish to even the score. A good extra-point attempt gave the Saints the 7-6 lead entering the second quarter.
Norwich dominated the second quarter, reclaiming the 13-7 lead on a six play, 80 yard drive. Kris Sabourin (Georgia, Vt.) started the drive with a 12 yard rush to bring the Cadets to their own 32-yard line. On 2-10, Derrick Pitts (Schenectady, N.Y.) found an opening to run for 63 yards, bringing the Cadets to the St. Lawrence five-yard line. Back-to-back rushes by Triplett would bring the Cadets to the one-yard line, where junior running back Mike Cavanaugh (Raymond, N.H.) would get the handoff for a one-yard touchdown run. Patrick Wilson (West Rupert, Vt.) connected on the extra-point attempt.
The Cadets would extend their lead to 20-7 two possessions later on an 87 yard drive that started with a 30-yard rush by Sabourin and was capped by an 11-yard touchdown reception by Zach Allen (Boston, Mass.). Wilson again connected on the extra-point to cap scoring for the afternoon.
A scoreless second half would finalize the score at 20-7 Norwich. Offensively, Sabourin finished the afternoon passing at 4-9 with one interception. He also totaled 67 yards rushing for an average of 6.7 yards-per-rush. Pitts posted a game-high 117 yards rushing and averaged 7.3 yards-per-carry. Tripplett added 86 rushing yards for the Cadets offense.
Allen totaled two catches for a total of 17 yards and one touchdown, while Pitts also notched a reception for 10 yards.
Defensively, the Cadets were led by Matt Simonelli (Scituate, R.I.) and Dane Pallatto (Westbrook, Conn.) who both totaled six tackles apiece. Nick Pulaski (Stratford, Conn.)and Ethan Hanks (Hull, Mass.) both added five tackles each, while Pulaski notched a sack.
St. Lawrence quarterback Fish finished 21-49 on passing attempts with one touchdown and a long of 29 yards. Tateosian totaled 68 yards on eight receptions and an average of 8.5 yards per catch. Maurice Irby led the Saints' rushing efforts with 36 yards on 13 attempts. Fish totaled 33 rushing yards on eight attempts.
The Saints' defense was led by Joe Napolitano who totaled a game-high 14 tackles. Jeremy Ramos added 12 tackles for the Saints, while Taylor Zappia was credited with 10 tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Rajiv Heron took credit for the Saints' lone sack.
The Cadets will be back in action next Saturday, Sept. 15 when they host WPI in non-conference action at 2:00 p.m. as part of Norwich Homecoming Weekend.