Ground game lifts UMass-Dartmouth past Endicott
Nov. 1, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - UMass-Dartmouth senior running back J.T. Harold (North Andover, Mass.) continued his standout season as he rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns in the Corsairs 53-35 win over Endicott College on Senior Night in Beverly, Massachusetts. The win improves UMD to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the NEFC Boyd Division. The loss drops the Gulls to 2-7 and 1-5 in divisional play.
It looked the like it might be a long day for the Gulls defense after the Blue and Green turned the ball over on their first two possessions. After Harold ran for his first touchdown of the day, a 30 yard burst up the middle to make it 7-0, the Gulls answered right back with a seven-play, 71-yard drive resulting in a Drew Cusato (Merrimack, N.H.) touchdown.
Cusato carried the ball on a sweep around the right sideline for a seven yard plunge into the end zone. A Carlos O'Donnell (Salem, Mass.) PAT tied the game at 7-7 where the score would stand entering the second quarter.
Endicott opened up frame number two with an 11-play, 82-yard drive capped off when freshman Mike Lane (Medfield, Mass.) ran for his first score of the day. The speedy rookie cut down the right sideline and outran everyone for a 31-yard score.
After Endicott forced a three-and-out from the Corsairs, the Gulls took over at their own 25-yard line. Lane started off the drive with a 34 yard carry but after a fumble recovery by UMass-Dartmouth's Dave Bombardier (East Bridgewater, Mass.) on the ensuing play, the Corsairs took over in their own territory.
After a lengthy 13-play, seven-minute drive, Alex Garro (Mattapoisett, Mass.) broke the plane on third and goal to cut the lead to 14-13. A David Menapace (Holliston, Mass.) PAT tied the game with 3:13 left in the second quarter and the teams entered the locker rooms at halftime deadlocked at 14-all.
Both teams swapped touchdowns to open up the second half. Aaron Russo (Johnston, R.I.) scored a 35-yard rushing touchdown to put the Corsairs up seven. Sophomore quarterback Matt DeOliveira (Malden, Mass.) answered right back when he threw a jump ball to Aaron Santos (Cambridge, Mass.) in the back-left corner of end zone to knot it up at 21.
On the following possession the Corsairs found the end zone again when Garro hit a wide open Cameron Pontos (Fall River, Mass.) in stride for a 60 yard score. A failed extra point made it a six point game.
The Gulls tacked on a touchdown with 1:03 left in the third quarter when Lane scored his second of the game. The shifty freshman busted up the gut and once again out ran the secondary for a 26-yard score. A successful PAT from O'Donnell put the Gulls on top, 28-27.
The Corsairs created great field position for themselves when they forced and recovered a fumbled punt return by the Gulls. Taking over at EC's 17-yard line, Harold carried the ball on consecutive plays to cap off a two-play scoring drive. The senior speedster scored from eight yards out to put his team on top 33-28, a lead the Corsairs would not relinquish.
The Corsairs tacked on three consecutive touchdowns to put the game away. Harold dashed to his team's third-straight score when he broke out of the pack and scampered from 25-yards out.
The Gulls added a late touchdown when Cusato emerged from the pile and rushed the ball for a 52-yard TD.
After another special teams miscue, the Corsairs sealed the win by gaining possession and running the clock out.
Endicott's ground game was led by Mike Lane's 160 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Drew Cusato averaged 10.9 yards per carry as he ran eight times for 87 yards and a pair of scores. Matt DeOliveira was steady at the helm as he finished the night 14-of-21 for 158 yards and a score.
UMD's Garro had a light workload as the Corsair's offense threw the ball just nine times in 66 plays. The senior quarterback completed five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed the ball for 16 yards and a score in the win.
The Gulls wrap up their season when they face one of the top running games in all of Division III at MIT on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The Corsairs cap off their regular season campaign when they play host to Curry College on Saturday at noon.