NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Husson University football team picked up a win in its first road game of the year, as it defeated Norwich University 38-22 on Saturday afternoon at Norwich's Sabine Field.
Following nearly 14 minutes of scoreless play to open Saturday's non-conference game, Husson (2-1) found themselves pinned inside its own 10-yard line, but after four short-yardage plays to get itself some breathing room, junior Max Clark found senior Ja'Quan Myles for 73-yard touchdown with 1:06 left in the opening quarter to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.
After Husson forced Norwich (0-3) into a three-and-out to begin the second quarter, Clark and the Eagles marched 67 yards in 12 plays and chewed up nearly six minutes of the clock en route to a 14-0 lead.
Junior Jed Lober got Husson in prime scoring position on the drive with 30 rushing yards, while Myles hauled in his second touchdown reception of the game, this time from five yards out, to double the lead for the Eagles.
The Husson defense would continue its early domination on the ensuing drive for the Cadets, forcing another three-and-out, which led to another touchdown drive for the Eagles on a 9-play, 62-yard drive that took over four minutes to complete.
A 21-yard catch from Myles put Husson in Norwich territory and senior Lavar Hunter found the end zone for the first time on the year with a 17-yard scamper to extend the Eagle lead to 21-0 late in the second quarter.
With their backs against the wall, the Cadets answered on their next drive, as Aidan Sullivan beat the Husson defense over the top for a 74-yard touchdown on the second play of the drive to get Norwich back to within 14 points just after the two-minute timeout.
The Cadets looked to further cut into the Husson lead to start the second half, but a timely interception from senior Bode DayCoombs and a 42-yard return put the Eagles well-inside Norwich territory to open their first drive of the second half.
While Husson was unable to find the end zone, senior Cason Markevich connected on a 29-yard field goal attempt to bring the lead to 24-7 for the Eagles.
Norwich countered Husson's three points with a 12-play touchdown drive to get within 10 points, as a three-yard run from Jehric Hackney brought the score to 24-14.
It didn't take long for the Eagles to respond, as sophomore Cameron Cornett took the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to the house to bring the lead back to 17 points for Husson with less than six minutes left in the third quarter.
After forcing the Cadets to punt on their next drive, Hunter capped off another touchdown drive for the Eagles, as he broke off a 51-yard touchdown sprint after an 18-yard pass from Clark to senior Cullen Casey got Husson near midfield.
Norwich refused to go away, as Sullivan connected on his second touchdown pass of the day to get the Cadets over the 20-point plateau, in addition to a successful two-point conversion for the Cadets, which cut the lead to two-scores for Husson.
Despite Norwich recovering an onside kick, the Eagle defense kept the Cadets out of the end zone for the remainder of the contest and chewed up the rest of the clock to come away with the win over their former Eastern Collegiate Football Conference rivals.
Clark finished his day an efficient 16 of 22 through the air, racking up 201 yards and two touchdowns.
Hunter and Lober combined for a solid one-two punch in the backfield for Husson, as Hunter totaled 98 yards on 10 rushes, in addition to his two touchdowns, while Lober recorded 85 yards on 24 rushing attempts.
Myles led the Husson receiving-core with a 6-catch, 136-yard day, as well as his two touchdown catches, in addition to Casey who led the Eagles in receptions with seven, in addition to 53 yards.
Senior CJ Nicely led the Husson defense with nine total tackles, including four solo stops, while the Eagles combined for seven tackles for loss as a team in the win, including a sack from sophomore Jahmye Tyson.
DayCoombs tallied the lone takeaway for Husson, while junior Ryan Banister and senior Ricky Hendrix each recorded a quarterback hurry in the game.
The Eagles are back in action on Saturday when they continue their three-game road trip against Anna Maria College in a rematch of last year's 50-49 thriller, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m.
