SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Husson University football team went on the road on Saturday afternoon but came up short against Western New England University, falling 35–10 in Conference of New England play.
The Eagles (1–4, 0–2 CNE) jumped out to an early lead and stayed within striking distance at halftime, but the Golden Bears (3–2, 1–1) used a strong rushing attack and a stifling defense to pull away in the second half.
Husson opened the scoring midway through the first quarter as senior Garrett Martin drilled a 35-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 3–0 lead.
Western New England responded on the ensuing drive, capping a 10-play series with a touchdown run by Matt LaMontagne to take a 7–3 advantage.
The Golden Bears answered with two more quick scores — a 12-yard touchdown pass followed by another rushing touchdown from LaMontagne — to seize a 21–3 lead.
The Eagles countered, as senior quarterback Max Clark led a crisp 75-yard drive, completing passes to sophomore Caden Crocker and junior Jacob Lenz before finding graduate student Cam Holmes for a 16-yard touchdown, bringing Husson back to within 21–10 at the half.
The defenses took over in the third quarter, but despite a strong stand deep in their own territory, the Eagles surrendered another short touchdown run by LaMontagne late in the period, as WNE led 28-10 after three quarters.
Western New England added one more score in the fourth quarter on a long pass play to make it 35–10, and the Golden Bears' defense held Husson scoreless the rest of the way.
Clark completed 14-of-28 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, while junior Brody Gibson added a 26-yard completion late in the contest. Crocker hauled in seven receptions for 69 yards, and Lenz added 66 yards on four catches. Holmes contributed 30 yards and the lone Husson touchdown.
Senior running back Jed Lober paced the ground game with 85 yards on 22 carries, while junior Logan Baird added nine yards and 53 return yards.
Defensively, senior Evan Bourget and sophomore JT Wright each tallied 12 total tackles, with senior Ryan Banister and junior Malcolm McKinnon contributing nine apiece. The Husson defense forced three pass breakups and recorded three quarterback hurries.
Husson will have its bye week next week before returning to the Winkin Complex for homecoming on Oct. 18 when it hosts New England College at 12 p.m.
