Cadets, now 1-1 in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference, will host Springfield College on Saturday
With a both-sides-of-the-ball efficiency and a sense of history, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy dashed Norwich University’s hopes for a Family Weekend win.
In topping the Cadets 49-14 in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference game in front of about 3,000 fans at Sabine Field at Haynes family Stadium, the Mariners improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1968. (The Mariners were 5-0-1 in 1984.) Merchant Marine has won eight straight games dating back to 2019.
The Mariners rolled up 453 yards in total offense and scored on their first three possessions to build 28-0 lead by the 10:02 mark and a 35-7 lead by halftime. Six different players scored touchdowns for Merchant Marine (2-0 in conference); quarterback Ian Blankenship ran for 82 yards and threw for 66 more to lead the offense.
Meanwhile, Norwich (2-4, 1-1 in conference) scored on a 1-yard second-quarter touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Mitchell Theal to junior wide receiver Trevor Chase and a 1-yard touchdown run by junior running back Nate Parady.
Chase’s touchdown was the 17th of his Norwich career, tying him with Ryan Squires ’00 and Manni Romero ’21 for second on the program’s all-time receiving touchdowns list and putting him just five behind leader Beau Almodobar ’84’s 22. Chase was NEWMAC Football Co-Offensive Athlete of the Week for the seven days ended Oct. 4.
Norwich sophomore running back Justin Bryant gained 88 yards on 18 carries to lead the offense; Parady gained 65 yards on 13 carries.
On defense, junior defensive back Matthew Christe had 16 tackles, senior linebacker Zev Motew had 12 tackles and junior linebacker Patrick Keefe had seven tackles and an interception. Motew has 56 tackles this season.
Norwich will host Springfield (1-0 in conference, 2-3) at noon Saturday on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium in another NEWMAC game. Springfield, playing at home, topped Coast Guard 60-0 over the weekend.
SEE:
EXPLORE:
READ MORE ON NORWICH UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS:
- Men’s soccer: Norwich tops Colby-Sawyer, 1-0, stretches win streak to five games
- Men’s rugby: In battle of top-five ranked teams, Norwich blasts Vermont, 42-6
- Women’s soccer: Norwich falls 3-1 to University of St. Joseph (Connecticut)
- Volleyball: Norwich splits Saturday tri-match
