Springfield, MA --- Jake Eglintine (Ballston Spa, NY) and Tyler Hyde (Plantsville, CT) both rushed for over a hundred yards and a touchdown and Jordan Wilcox (Saratoga Springs, NY) added 84 yards on the ground and a pair of scores as host Springfield bested WPI 42-10 in the first-ever NEWMAC football game for both teams.
Springfield is now 4-0, 1-0 on conference action and is off to its best start since the 2006 campaign. The Engineers evened their record to 2-2, 0-1. Today was the inaugural day of football in the NEWMAC, which is a newly formed football league consisting of eight elite institutions that come from six different states and have combined for 17 NCAA championship appearances.
The Pride's rushing attack was sensational on the day as it produced 574 yards on the ground, averaging 9.0 yards per carry. Individually, Eglintine rushed for a team-best 139 yards and was one of five student-athletes to find the end zone on the day. Hyde added 113 yards and a score on just five carries, Hunter Belzo (Middletown, CT) produced 96 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, Wilcox found the end zone twice to go along with 84 yards, and Cory DeSimone (West Yarmouth, MA) had 66 yards and score on two just carries.
For the visitors, Sean McAllen (Prospect, CT) carried the ball 20 times for 83 yards, while Blake Rice (North Branford, CT) was 19-for-38 for 198 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. Alex Domond (Cambridge, MA) hauled in a game-best four receptions while Corey Coogan (North Kingstown, RI), Erik Fyrer (Ipswich, MA) and Lain Zembek (Binghamton, NY) all had three catches.
Defensively for SC, Josh Corporan (Lincoln Park, NJ) made a team-best nine stops, including 2.5 for loss, while Rich Williams (Wethersfield, CT) added even tackles. Marlowe Scott (Dorchester, MA) had two of the Pride's three interceptions as Springfield held WPI to just 2-of-14 on third down conversions. WPI's Nick Ostrowski (Charlton, MA) made a game-high 10 stops and Sam Casey (Winchester, MA) made eight tackles, had an interception and fumble recovery. Blayne Merchant (Sanderson, FL), Collin Saunders (Westwood, NJ), Francis Lubega (Ashland, MA) all amassed seven tackles for the Crimson and Gray while Dereck Pacheco (Barnstable, MA) recorded a pair of tackles-for-loss.
WPI scored the game's first points when Spencer Herrington (Clearfield, PA) cashed in on a field goal from 20 yards at the 8;04 mark, capping off an 11-play, 61-yard drive that lasted just over five minutes. Springfield responded back with their first touchdown when Belzo broke free down the right side line for a 26-yard score with 1:01 left in the quarter.
Springfield put together a dominating drive to close out the second quarter, marking 90 yards over 17 plays in a 5:54 span. Eglintine converted a key 3rd and 18 as he busted up the middle for 26 yards, and five plays later, Wilcox plunged in from two yards out to give the hosts a 14-3 cushion.
The Pride blew open the game with a 21-point third quarter, a stanza in which it rushed for 245 yards on 16 carries. After forcing a three-and-out, Springfield needed just three plays to find paydirt as Wilcox broke free for a 46-yard jaunt up the gut. After Scott picked off the Engineers on the WPI 38-yard line, Springfield pushed its lead to 28-3 at the 11:29 mark, just 1:34 after Wilcox's touchdown.
WPI scored their lone touchdown of the game with 7:28 left in the third when Rice hooked up with Brendan Chipman (Middleboro, MA) on a 28-yard fade route down the left sideline, only to have Springfield answer back 43 seconds later when DeSimone took the pitch past the goaline from eight yards. Springfield scored their final touchdown the game with 6:44 left in regulation when Hyde got loose for a 75-yard score.
Both teams are next in action Saturday at noon with NEWMAC home contest. WPI entertains Maine Maritime while Springfield hosts Norwich
Majority of Release Courtesy Springfield Sports Information