Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The U.S. Coast Guard Academy defeated the University of New England football team in its first-ever varsity game, 33-7, on Thursday night at Cadet Field.
Coast Guard scored on its first two possessions of the game as Cole Austin kicked a 36-yard field goal to get things started. Ryan Jones found Liam Middleton for a 21-yard score to put the Bears in front 10-0 with 3:28 to go in the first quarter.
Brian Peters, who threw for 242 yards to pace the Nor'easters, connected with Alex Huff for 21 yards to convert a third-and-16 on the ensuing UNE drive. Haelin Roberts hauled in a 27 yard pass on another third-and-long to get the Nor'easters into Coast Guard territory. UNE continued to drive, but were halted at the five yard line after a failed fourth down attempt. Coast Guard extended its lead to 17-0 with a touchdown on its next drive.
History was made on the Nor'easters next drive as Peters found Devon Charles from nine yards out for the first touchdown in program history. The score was setup by a 38-yard catch from Ryan Gaboury. An interception in the end zone by the Bears was called back after a personal foul penalty which put UNE at the 12 yard line. Charles gained three yards on a rush and caught the next pass for the score.
Coast Guard got down to the UNE three yard line on its next drive, but Riley Ray made a tackle for loss to force a turnover on downs late in the second quarter. The score remained 17-7 at halftime.
The Bears scored a touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter to extend their advantage to 27-7. Michael Tuzzopicked off Ryan Jones midway through the quarter, but the Nor'easters went three and out on the ensuing drive.
UNE gained 78 yards on 15 plays to start the fourth quarter until an incomplete pass stalled the threat at the Bears' two yard line. Coast Guard added a late score, but Pat Saunders was able to block the extra point to keep the score at 33-7.
Gaboury led the receiving corps with seven catches for 92 yards. Charles had 35 yards on the ground. Owen Berry, Keegan Stanton-Meas, and Joe Kucky each had eight tackles for UNE.
Jones threw for 336 yards and two scores and also rushed for a team-high 75 yards and a touchdown to lead Coast Guard. Justin Moffatt caught nine passes for 157 yards.
The Nor'easters open their home schedule next Saturday, Sept. 8 against Husson. Kickoff at newly-renovated UNE Blue Storm Stadium is set for 1 p.m.