Castine, ME --- Sean McAllen (Prospect, CT) ran for 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Spencer Herrington (Clearfield, PA) booted three field goals and the WPI defense did not allow a point for the first 58:49 of the game as the Engineers went on the road and defeated Maine Maritime in a NEWMAC football contest played Saturday afternoon.
The Crimson and Gray are now 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference matchups. The Mariners dip to 0-4 overall and 0-2 versus NEWMAC foes. WPI has now is now a perfect 4-0 all-time against Maine Maritime after taking the first three meetings (1952, 1953 and 2017) in Worcester.
WPI dented the score column on its second drive when Nic Rossi (Howell, NJ) hauled in a 16-yard scoring strike from Julian Nyland (Melrose, MA) with 6:51 to go in the first quarter. After a three-and-out and an Austin Pesce (Monroe, NY) 24-yard punt return, McAllen scored the first of his two touchdowns two plays later from 14 yards out. Herrington connected on both PATs and drilled 30 and 34-yard field goals in the second quarter to give the visitors a 20-0 advantage at the break.
McAllen and Herrington accounted for all of WPI's scoring in the second half as McAllen rumbled in from four yards out midway through the third and Herrington added the PAT and added a 26-yard field with 9:32 remaining in the game to put the Engineers ahead 30-0.
Maine Maritime spoiled the shutout with 1:11 left as Dominic Casale (Freeport, ME) caught a 71-yard pitch and catch from quarterback Bailey Sawyer (Westbrook, ME). Maxwell Horton (Eliot, ME) tacked on the PAT as the Mariners surpassed their total points scored from their previous three meetings with the Boynton Hillers in one sequence.
McAllen was a workhorse for the Engineers, carrying 31 times for 131 yards. It marked the 11th time in his career that he has reached triple digits in rushing and the junior now has 10 touchdowns in five games this year and 30 career scores. Nyland finished 16-of-28 for 195 yards while Rossi soaked up a game-best seven catches for 79 yards and Erik Fyrer (Ipswich, MA), Billy Mitchell (Groton, MA) and McAllen all had multiple receptions.
Nick Ostrowski (Charlton, MA) led a balanced defensive effort that has allowed seven or fewer points in eight of their last 16 games. The junior linebacker amassed eight stops, including a tackle for loss. Blayne Merchant (Sanderson, FL) and Lou Duh (Monroe, CT) both amassed six tackles while Joe Kerkach (Ashland, MA) and Brandon Malarney (Harwinton, CT) collaborated on a sack.
For the hosts, Randy Rarn (Portland, ME) and Terell Thomas (Auburn, ME) each made nine stops. Derek Breunig (Westbrook, ME) totaled seven, including three for-loss and a sack. Aren Dickman (Scarborough, ME) and Sam Billings (Rutland, VT) also recorded a pair of tackles for-loss.
The Engineers dominated in time of possession (36:42 to 23:18) and total yards (307-188) but committed both of the game's turnovers.
WPI returns home for a noon game next Saturday versus Catholic. Charter TV3 will carry the game on tape delay at 7pm primarily on 193 in Massachusetts and 196 in Connecticut; however, webcast viewers have historically had the opportunity to watch the broadcast in real-time. Maine Maritime remains at home for a noon matchup with MIT.