Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College topped the University of New England by a 42-24 margin in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Football opener on Saturday afternoon at Vendetti Field.
The Bison used a 10-play, 70-yard drive to get deep into UNE territory late in the first quarter, but a fumble recovered by Danny Parker at the Nor'easters' 10 ended the threat. UNE was unable to get anything going and misplayed punt gave Nichols the ball back at the UNE 1 yard line. Jacob Duffrene took the next play in for a score as the Bison led 7-0 through a quarter.
Devon Charles led the Nor'easters down the field on their first drive of the second quarter with 36 yards on the ground. Robert Inniss Jr. converted on a 30-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 7-3. The Bison extended their lead out to 14-3.
Nichols botched a punt with 2:16 to play in the half and UNE took over on the Bison 22 yard line. Three plays later Brian Peters connected with Ryan Gaboury from 15 yards out to make the score 14-10. A late field goal attempt by UNE was blocked as time expired in the half.
Touchdown runs of 62 and 52 yards by the Bison broke the game open to 28-10 midway through the third quarter. The Nor'easters would not go down without a fight as Peters hit Gaboury again for a touchdown early in the fourth and after a failed two-point attempt the score was 28-16. Peters added a rushing touchdown later in the fourth.
Peters finished with 155 yards through the air. Gaboury caught seven passes for 103 yards and two scores. Charles rushed for 73 yards.
The Bison finished with 253 yards on the ground led by Duffrene (119 yards) and Joshua Pierre-Charles (94 yards). Michael Pina was 16-of-23 for 230 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Keegan Stanton-Meas made a game-high 14 tackles (seven solo). GianCarlo Diaz added a sack. Kuomar Fitzgeraldhad four tackles and an interception.
UNE returns home on Saturday, Oct. 6 against Curry College. Kickoff at UNE Blue Storm Stadium is set for 1 p.m.