BANGOR, ME – The Alfred University football team rallied for a 39-25 victory Saturday afternoon at Husson University in the Saxons' 2015 season opener.
Junior wide receiver Maleke Fuentes scored three touchdowns and junior defensive tackles Andy Miller forced a pair of fumbles as Alfred overcame first- and third-quarter deficits to move to 4-0 all-time against the Eagles.
After spotting the host Eagles a 12-0 lead after one period, AU responded with three touchdowns to take the lead. The Saxons got on the board with a two-yard TD pass from junior quarterback Tyler Johnson to Fuentes 2:43 into the second, capping a seven-play 65-yard drive.
On Husson's ensuing possession, AU sophomore cornerback Jared Watkins intercepted Husson's Joe Seccareccia at the Alfred 35 with just over 11 minutes left in the second. AU drive 65 yards in nine plays, with Johnson scoring on a two-yard run with 6:23 left in the half to give the Saxons their first lead. Sophomore tailback Sammy Davis rushed for 37 yards on five carries on the drive.
AU took a 21-12 lead with 2:58 left in the second on a 26-yard scoring pass from Johnson to Fuentes. The touchdown capped a three-play drive that began after Fuentes returned a punt 20 yard to the Eagle 31. Husson closed out the first-half scoring two possessions later, taking over after a fumble at the Alfred 35-yard line with just under a minute left before intermission. On third-and-10, Seccareccia connected with wideout Deon Wiggins on a 35-yard touchdown pass; the PAT failed and Alfred held a 21-18 halftime lead.
Husson took the early lead on a safety after an errant snap on a punt on the Saxons' second possession. The Eagles went up 5-0 on a field goal and two possessions later took a 12-0 lead after a 15-yard TD pass from Seccareccia to wide receiver Robenson Saintard on fourth-and-11 with 34 seconds left in the first.
AU added to its lead on the Saxons' first possession of the third quarter. Husson got the ball to open the half and turned the ball over at its own 31 after losing 15 yards on a fourth-and-10 try. Alfred had first-and-goal from the Eagle 2-yard line after a 24-yard Johnson-to-Fuentes pass, but failed to score a TD on three straight rushes, settling for a 21-yard field goal by sophomore Trevor Monk with just under 10 minutes left in the third.
Husson regained the lead on its next possession, again converting a key fourth down. After stating at their own 31, the Eagles drove to the Saxons' 31-yard line with under seven minutes left in the third. After three runs produced one yard, the Eagles went for it on fourth down, with Seccarrecia finding Wiggins on a 31-yard scoring pass with 6:06 left in the frame, putting Husson up, 25-24.
Alfred regained the lead two possessions later, after a big play by the Saxon defense. After an Alfred punt pinned the Eagles down at their own 8-yard line, Husson faced a third-and-one from their 15-yard line. Miller tackled Husson tailback John Smith, forcing a fumble that Miller recovered at the 15. A penalty on Husson placed the ball at the Eagle 7-yard line and on the next play Fuentes scampered in for the go-ahead touchdown. Johnson connected with junior tight end Ralph Pagliei and the Saxons led 32-25 with 3:34 left in the third.
The Saxons expanded their lead midway through the fourth. Miller sacked Seccareccia at the Husson 30, and AU senior middle linebacker Corry Wallace recovered and returned the ball to the Eagle 15. Johnson ran for 13 yards before plunging in for the score from two yards out to give the Saxons a two-touchdown lead (39-25) with 7:55 left in regulation. Husson drove to the AU 16 on the Eagles' next possession, but turned the ball over on downs with 5:17 remaining.
Johnson completed 11 of 18 passes for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns and rushed for 44 yards and two scores. Fuentes ran for a team-high 55 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown and caught four passes for 53 yards and two TDs.
Davis ran for 38 yards on seven carries and Pagliei caught four passes for 54 yards.
Seccareccia completed 20 of 38 passes for 258 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Smith ran for a game-high 81 yards on 24 carries, while Wiggins (134 receiving yards, two TDs) and wideout Greg Moore (65 yards) each caught four passes.
Miller had eight tackles (three for loss, one sack) and forced two fumbles to lead the Saxon defense. Senior free safety Michael Berardi had 12 tackles (one for loss), while sophomore linebacker A.J. Licata and Wallace each had eight tackles (one for loss each). Watkins and junior strong safety Liam Hobbins each had an interception.
Linebacker Ellis Throckmorton had 13 tackles (three for loss) and free safety Kenny Sweet had 10 (one for loss) to pace the Husson defense
Alfred is in action next on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. at home against RPI.