Visiting UMass Dartmouth Handles Curry, 33-7, in NEFC Boyd Division Action
MILTON, Mass. – Visiting UMass Dartmouth scored all five of its touchdowns off of Curry turnovers, defeating the Colonels 33-7 in a rain-soaked New England Football Conference (NEFC) Boyd Division game Saturday afternoon in Milton. The Corsairs improve to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in Boyd action, while the Colonels fall to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in division play.
UMD's two first-quarter scores both came by way of fumble returns for touchdowns. Sophomore William Bizcaino (Dorchester, Mass.) capitalized on the first Curry turnover with a 30-yard fumble return at 13:28, then senior John Cordasco (Rockaway, N.J.) scored on a 46-yard fumble return with 3:35 left in the opening frame. The Colonels managed to block both point-after attempts, resulting in a 12-0 Corsairs lead through one quarter.
In the second quarter, junior Patrick Orlando (Manchester, Mass.) extended the UMD lead by capping off a nine-play, 45-yard drive with a two-yard push into the end zone. Curry's next possession came to a halt after sophomore Joe Teixera (Seekonk, Mass.) intercepted a pass thrown by senior Mark Gilson (Mansfield, Mass.) and ran it back 52 yards for a touchdown.
With 1:52 remaining in the half, the Colonels recovered a fumble at the UMD 20-yard line. Curry capitalized on the visitor's miscue, capping off a five-play drive with a one-yard dive by Gilson, cutting the deficit to 26-7 at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Corsairs put their final points on the board after a two-yard rushing touchdown by junior Romario Berneche (Everett, Mass.) with just over 10 minutes left in the contest.
Curry held significant edges in first downs (16-9) and total offensive yards (292-136), while UMD dominated in time of possession (34:09-25:51) and turnovers gained (10-2).
Sophomore Darrius Wood (Canton, Mass.) led the Corsairs on the ground with 46 yards on 13 carries. Orlando and Berneche added 40 yards apiece with 19 and 16 carries, respectively.
Sophomore Phil Bigelow (East Orange, N.J.) led all rushers with 95 yards on 16 carries. He also reeled in six receptions for 63 yards. Gilson was 8-for-17 for 70 yards with two interceptions. Senior Anthony Carnevale (Oradell, N.J.) was 8-for-18 for 101 yards and a pair of picks.
UMD's defense was led by Cordasco with a game-high nine solo tackles and one interception (25 yards). Teixera chipped in with six solo tackles and one interception (52 yards). Graduate Mike Whittaker (Milton, Mass.) and senior Pat Hannon (Norton, Mass.) led Curry's defense with seven total tackles apiece. Junior Jason Genece (Waltham, Mass.), junior Dan McLaughlin (Woburn, Mass.), sophomore Korey Kuzmich (Medfield, Mass.) and sophomore Sam Calley (Weymouth, Mass.) each recorded six total tackles.
Both teams conclude the regular season next Saturday, as UMass Dartmouth hosts Western New England at 12:00 p.m. and Curry hosts Plymouth State at 1:00 p.m.
