Bangor, ME - The Husson University Eagles continued their struggles in 2011, losing their 7th consecutive game to the visiting Norwich University Cadets 41-7 at a rain-soaked Winkin Complex this afternoon. Norwich is on the other side of the coin, winning their 5th straight Eastern Collegiate Conference match up to improve to 5-3 on the season.  

The Eagles were able to eke out some scoring with just 11 seconds remaining third quarter when Husson QB Kash Keezer (Veazie, ME) found Audie Murphy (Biddeford, ME) for a 41 yard score, the first from the Husson offense in the last three games. Keezer finished the game 14-30 passing for 124 yards. Murphy caught 4 pases for 70 yards including the score, and the junior also added 63 return yards for 133 all-purpose yards in the game. The Eagle defense was once again led by first year linebacker Stephan Dance (New London, CT) who recorded double-digit tackles for the 5th time this season (14) and notched 11 solo tackles, the third time he's had ten or more. Peter Cote (Skowhegan, ME) had a break-out game, starting in place of the injured Kyle Vanidestine (Bangor, ME). Cote recorded 8 tackles, all solos, and had an interception and a forced fumble for the Husson D. 

The Norwich offense was rolling on all cylinders, gaining 326 yards on the ground, and had 5 different players score rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Kris Sabourin (Georgia, VT) led the way with 93 yards on 11 carries to go with his 64 yards in the air on 7-14 passing. Derek Pitts (Schenectady, NY) had 72 yards on the ground and a score, as well as 23 yards receiving. The Cadets' leading tackler on the season, Jimmy LaBell (Stanhope, NJ), was the norwich leader in this game as well, pulling in 7 solo tackles and a TFL. 

The Cadets got on the board first after taking the opening kick-off and putting together a 12-play, 59 yard drive, culminating with the Sabourin score from 7 yards out. The Eagles got the ball and were only able to pick up one first down and were forced to punt the ball back to the visitors. On their next posession, Norwich amassed another long drive, this time going 11 plays for 46 yards, and capped it off with a 31 yard field goal by Long Ding (Qing Dao, China) and the visitors led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.  

After another stalled Eagle drive that led into the secon period, Pitts put his score on the board when he capped of a 5 play drive with a 7 yard rush to give Norwich a 17-0 lead. Husson turned the ball over on their next drive, and set up the Cadets' with a short field. Norwich took advantage, going 35 yards on 5 plays, with Andrew Fulford (Gloucester, MA) punching it in from the 1 to go ahead 24-0. Ding added a field goal and the Cadets went into halftime with a 27-0 edge. 

The third quarter was even as Norwich took their foot off the gas pedal offensively. Sophomore running back Mike Cavanaugh (Raymond, NH) ran it in from 7 yards out to put the visiting team ahead by 34. 

It seemed like the Eagles were down for the count, but the offense awoke and amassed a 10 play, 80 yard scoring drive that spanned 5:31. Keezer dropped back to pass, and looked left, finding Murphy in single coverage on the Eagles' sideline. Murphy made the catch and broke a tackle before tip-toeing down the sideline, and diving just inside the pylon before the Norwich pursuit could catch up. After a Doug Dieuveuil (Veazie, ME) kick, Husson cut the defecit down to 34-7.

First year running back Al Georgio (West Greenwich, CT) added an insurance score in the 4th quarter for Norwich as the 5th different rusher punched into the end zone on the day, and the score would go final, 41-7.

The Eagles remain at home next weekend when they host reigning ECFC champion SUNY-Maritime for a 12:00 pm start on Saturday. Norwich returns home next week to host Anna Maria for a 1:00 pm start in Northfield, VT.