Sep 21, 2024
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Sophomore defensive back Dominic Hess (Damascus, Md.) finished with seven tackles and an interception as the MIT football team forced four turnovers and held visiting Alfred State College to 154 yards of total offense in a 20-0 shutout victory on Saturday afternoon at Steinbrenner Stadium.
Sophomore running back Carson Phelps (Wichita, Kan.) paced the MIT offense in the team's home opener with 179 yards on the ground, adding a pair of scores, including a 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
THE BASICS:
- Score: MIT 20, Alfred State 0
- Records: MIT (2-0 Overall); Alfred State (1-2 Overall)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After the opening Engineers drive stalled at the MIT 46, the MIT defense set the tone for the afternoon when sophomore Connor McHale (Attleboro, Mass.) intercepted Alfred State junior quarterback Justin Horvath (Grand Island, N.Y.) on the third Pioneers' play. McHale's 14-yard return set-up the Engineers at the Alfred State 23.
- A pass interference call on third down moved the Engineers to the five-yard line, where Phelps punched it in for his first score of the day. First year Luke Pelletier (Williamsburg, Va.) added the extra point to make the score 7-0.
- Alfred State failed to gain momentum until the end of the first quarter when the visitors put together a pair of first downs, converting twice on fourth down to move to the MIT 42-yard line. However, this time it was senior Ryan Hourican (Staten Island, N.Y.) who made the big play for the MIT defense, forcing a fumble before sophomore Caleb Davis (Houston, Texas) scooped up the ball to end the drive after nine plays and 46 yards.
- It took one play for MIT to take advantage of the Alfred State turnover. Phelps broke through the line and took off down the far sideline, racing past the Pioneers bench and into the end zone for his second score of the day. The extra point attempt was blocked by Alfred State as MIT took a 13-0 lead.
- The visitors went seven plays on the next drive before the MIT defense forced a turnover on downs. Neither team found the end zone through the remainder of the quarter as MIT took a 13-0 lead into the break in rainy and wet conditions.
- MIT forced its third turnover of the day on the second Alfred State drive of the third quarter when Hess intercepted Horvath at the Alfred State 44 yard-line.
- Following a scoreless third quarter, MIT put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. Senior Donny Stralkus (North Brunswick, N.J.) ended the first Alfred State drive with the third MIT interception.
- MIT capitalized on its next possession when junior quarterback Thomas Stueber (West Islip, N.Y.) found junior tight end Alex Theriault (Boxford, Mass.) in the front corner of the end zone for six. Pelletier capped off the MIT scoring with the extra point, 20-0.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- MIT earned its first shutout since the 2021 season, a 27-0 win at Dean College.
- Hess had six solo tackles to go along with his first career interception.
- McHale's interception was also his first, while Stralkus now has two in his career.
- Stueber finished the contest 8-for-11 passing for 54 yards and a touchdown.
- Phelps has multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.
UP NEXT:
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The Engineers will open the NEWMAC season with a 12:00 PM match-up at Salve Regina next Saturday, September 28.
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