PAXTON, Mass. – The Husson University football team fell in road, non-conference action on Saturday afternoon to Anna Maria College 47-29 at Anna Maria's Caparso Field.
Anna Maria (2-2) struck first in Saturday's contest after forcing Husson (2-2) into a three-and-out on its first drive.
The Amcats used three chunk-plays to take a 7-0 lead and conclude an eight-play, 77-yard drive, as Ryan Russell found Tyler Bulinski from 28 yards out to give Anna Maria the score.
Following an interception on the ensuing drive from the Eagles, the Amcats looked to find the end zone again, but the Husson defense forced a turnover on downs from Anna Maria after it stopped the Amcats four-consecutive times inside the three-yardline.
The Eagles were unable to get some breathing room after forcing the turnover on downs, as a three-and-out from Husson set Anna Maria up at the 36-yardline of the Eagles.
Russell's second touchdown throw of the day capped-off a short, two-play drive for the Amcats, as he connected with Kevin Acosta Jr from 15 yards out with less than 2:30 left in the opening quarter.
Anna Maria looked to have gotten the ball back after forcing the Eagles into another punt, but Husson forced a fumble on the ensuing punt return and junior Myles Harris pounced on the loose ball to set the Eagles up inside the 10-yardline of Anna Maria.
Despite being pushed back 10 yards due to a holding penalty, junior Max Clark cut the deficit in half for Husson, as he found senior Cam Holmes for a 20-yard touchdown to quickly take advantage of the turnover for the Eagles.
A long kickoff return set up the Amcats deep in Husson territory and Russell helped Anna Maria find the end zone again with his third touchdown pass of the opening half, as he found Tyler Garretson to bring the lead to 21-7 for the Amcats.
After three-straight punts between the two teams, Anna Maria added three points to its lead, as Ryan Kent connected on a short, 22-yard field goal with just over a minute left in the first half.
Even with a short clock to work with, Husson was able to find the end zone and cut the Amcat lead to just 10 points, as junior Jed Lober scampered in from 16 yards out to conclude a drive that was highlighted by a 38-yard pass play that saw Clark find sophomore Jacob Lenz.
Anna Maria would take a knee to end the first half, but the Amcats would strike fast to begin the second half, as a 92-yard kickoff return from Justin Oliver went to the house and put Anna Maria back up by 17 points.
The Amcats would bring the score to 37-14 after Russell connected on his fourth touchdown pass of the day, but the Eagles would respond courtesy of another touchdown pass from Clark, as he and senior Nason Berthelette hooked up for a 36-yard touchdown strike late in the third quarter to bring Husson back to within 37-21.
The Eagles set themselves up with great field position after senior Bode DayCoombs blocked an Anna Maria punt, but the Amcat defense would hold strong, as it forced Husson into a turnover on downs, which led to a field goal from Kent from 28 yards out to extend the lead to 40-21 for Anna Maria.
Clark would put another touchdown on the board for Husson on the ensuing drive, as he ran in from four yards away to conclude a quick, five-play, 66-yard drive, which made the score 40-29 in favor of the Amcats after Clark found junior Caleb Solomon to convert on the two-point conversion attempt.
Anna Maria would add a late touchdown to further salt away the game, in addition to stopping Husson on its final drive to wrap up the non-conference victory.
Clark connected on 18 of his 39 passing attempts and racked up 244 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with his rushing touchdown.
Lober tallied 76 yards on the ground on 13 rushing attempts, in addition to a rushing score, while Berthelette led the Husson receivers with three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore Jahmye Tyson and senior CJ Nicely recorded double-digit tackles during the game, as Tyson tallied 12 tackles and Nicely added 11.
Senior Tyler Armeen totaled three pass breakups in the contest, while senior Walker Lenz added a sack.
Husson will have its bye week next week, before returning to action on Oct. 12 when it travels to Dean College for a 12 p.m. contest.
