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NEW LONDON, Conn. (9/16/23) – The Nichols College football team scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, but their comeback fell short against the Coast Guard Academy on Saturday afternoon from Cadet Memorial Field. The Bison fell 49-42 to the Bears.
Senior Xavier Powell went 33-46 for 406 yards and threw five touchdowns in the loss for the Bison. Classmate Zahir Booker led the rushing attack for Nichols, with 72 rushing yards and found the back of the end-zone as well. Five different receivers caught touchdown passes from Powell.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior Dante Barboza finished the game with nine solo tackles and one assisted tackle for 10 total tackles on the afternoon.
The Bison found themselves in an early 14-0 hole after the first quarter. Coast Guard added two more touchdowns in the second quarter for a 28-0 lead over Nichols. With just over two minutes remaining the half, the Bison hit pay dirt for the first time. Powell found sophomore Nathan Campos for an eight-yard touchdown, to cut into the Bears lead.
Powell hit senior Topher Ryan for another score to cut the Bears lead in half, 28-14, after halftime with about eight minutes to go in the third quarter. Coast Guard would regain a 21-point lead with a touchdown of their own. Junior Gianluca Gonser cashed in, with a touchdown of his own, coming off a pass from Powell as the Bison continued to climb back into the game. This score cut the lead to 31-21, with 14 seconds to go in the third quarter.
Powell and junior Jack Morvan connected for the second time in as many games to pull the Bison within a touchdown, 35-28. Every time the Bison would continue to get close, Coast Guard had a response and they continued to trade touchdowns until the Bears led 49-35.
Nichols put together a drive and scored thanks to Booker finding the end-zone on a seven-yard scamper. The Bison trailed 49-42 with 12 seconds remaining. The Bison comeback would fall just short, as they lost 49-42.
Nichols (1-2) will return home as they face off against Hartwick College on Saturday, September 23. Kickoff from Vendetti Field is set for 3 p.m.