BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University football team opened Conference of New England action on Saturday at the Dr. John W Winkin Sports Complex, but was upended by Endicott College by a final score of 48-14.
Endicott (3-1, 1-0 CNE) was the first one on the board after a fumble from Husson (1-3, 0-1 CNE) set the Gulls up in plus-territory.
Endicott chewed three minutes off of the clock and caught the Eagles by surprise on a quick snap from the three-yard line to get on the board, while a fake extra-point attempt led to an 8-0 lead for the Gulls.
Husson gave the ball right back with a three-and-out on its next drive, which led to a long 52-yard touchdown pass from Endicott, as the game entered the second quarter at 14-0 after the Eagles blocked the extra-point attempt.
The Eagles caught a much-needed break to begin the second quarter, as sophomore Kane Smith intercepted a redirected pass to put an end to the Endicott drive, while also setting Husson up inside Gull territory.
Husson's ensuing drive looked to have stalled as a false start on a fourth down made it fourth and 10, but senior Max Clark lofted a back-shoulder pass to graduate student Cam Holmes in the back of the end zone from 25 yards out to get the Eagles on the board.
The Eagles looked to keep that momentum after forcing the Gulls to punt, but Endicott came up with a stop of its own, as it was bound to get possession back.
Endicott completely flipped momentum in the next 60 seconds of the contest, as the Gulls blocked the ensuing punt from Husson and returned it for a touchdown, while also forcing and recovering a fumble on the kickoff, which led to a touchdown pass one play later, turning what was a 14-7 lead into a 28-7 edge in a blink of an eye.
The Gulls were able to add another touchdown before the end of the first half on a second long touchdown pass, as the game entered the halftime break at 35-7 in favor of Endicott.
Endicott showed no signs of slowing up to begin the third quarter, as the Gulls received the opening kick off and went on a methodical touchdown drive to extend their lead to 35 points.
The Gulls took advantage of another Husson turnover late in the third, as they capitalized on a short field to find the end zone for a seventh time on the day.
The Eagles were able to find the final score of the contest, as Clark connected with Holmes on another fourth down, this time from 18 yards away, to bring the game to its final score of 48-14.
Clark finished with two touchdown passes, while graduate student Elijah Garnett showcased some physical running in the final quarter of play to end the game with 73 yards on 15 carries.
Holmes led the Husson receivers with four catches for 57 yards and two scores, while Smith registered an interception and two pass breakups on the other side of the ball.
Junior Malcolm McKinnon led the defense with nine total tackles, while freshman Joseph Dube made an impact on special teams with a blocked extra-point.
Husson will look to rebound next week when it heads to Western New England University for a 1 p.m. CNE matchup.
