Curry Captures NEFC Boyd Division Opener Against M.I.T., 34-7
MILTON, Mass. – Senior Harold Rose (Buzzards Bay, MA) threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another as Curry dominated visiting MIT, 34-7, in the New England Football Conference (NEFC) Boyd Division opener for both squads. With the Homecoming win, the Colonels improved to 3-1, while the Engineers fell to 1-2.
Neither team was able to put the ball in the end zone in a scoreless first quarter. MIT got on the board first, thanks to a two-yard keeper by senior Kyle Johnson (Fairview, NC) at 8:12 of the second quarter. Five minutes later, Curry scored the first of 34 unanswered points by virtue of a 13-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off with a two-yard Rose pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage and caught by junior Brian Woollard (Foxboro, MA).
The Colonels took the lead for good, 14-7, with just over a minute remaining in the half on a one-yard plunge by Rose. On the Engineers' next possession, freshman John Wenzel (Mandeville, LA) fumbled the ball at the Curry 45. Senior Kenniel Velez (Brockton, MA) picked up the ball on his own 40 and returned it 39 yards to the MIT 21. That set up a 37-yard field goal by senior Matt Alksninis (Mansfield, MA), giving the Colonels a 17-7 edge at the half.
Alksninis was able to convert on a 34-yard field with 7:58 remaining in the third quarter to extend Curry's lead to 20-7. After forcing MIT to go three-and-out, the Colonels once again marched down the field and into the end zone after junior Mark Gilson (Mansfield, MA) connected with sophomore Bruce Vieira (Pelham, NH) from three yards out, giving the Colonels a 20-point bulge.
As time expired in the third frame, Curry freshman George Alexandrou (Boxford, MA) blocked an MIT punt that was recovered by classmate Jonas Duffrene (Waltham, MA). The Colonels scored on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Rose launched an eight-yard scoring pass to sophomore Robert Bambini (Westwood, MA), accounting for the 34-7 final.
Curry held a slight edge in total offense (296-235) and first downs (16-12), while the Engineers held a significant advantage in possession time (34:51-25:09).
Rose went 9-for-22 for 96 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. Gilson completed 7-of-8 passes for 75 yards and one touchdown. Senior Dennis Void (Brookhaven, PA) led the Colonels rushing game with 73 yards on 11 attempts. Bambini reeled in six receptions for 81 yards and a TD, while Vieira chipped in with five catches for 42 yards and a TD. Defensively, Curry was led by senior Mike Whittaker (Milton, MA), who recorded 10 total tackles (eight solo). He was followed by senior Sean Pike (Sudbury, MA) with seven total tackles (six solo), and Velez with six solo tackles including two tackles for loss (-6 yards) and a 39-yard fumble return.
MIT's passing game was shared by both Wenzel, who went 13-for-19 for 56 yards, and Johnson, who went 6-for-9 for 47 yards. Junior Marcel Sanchez (Oneonta, NY) paced the Engineers' ground attack with 84 yards on 25 carries. Senior Mike Fitzgerald caught nine passes for 62 yards. Junior Patrick Jupe (Austin, TX) led the MIT defensive effort with six total tackles (five solo), while freshman Rhys Borchert (Pocatello, ID) had three solo tackles and two interceptions (26 return yards).
The Colonels return to action next Saturday with a visit to Endicott College for a 1:00 p.m. contest. The Engineers will welcome UMass Dartmouth to Cambridge next Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. contest.
