HENNIKER, N.H. – Sophomore Daniel Ruiz Cantu rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns, while the Husson University football team's defense held New England College to just 33 yards of total offense as the Eagles rolled to a 42-0 shutout victory in Conference of New England (CNE) action Saturday afternoon at Laurie Cox Memorial Field.
Husson (2-4, 2-1 CNE) dominated on both sides of the ball, piling up 439 yards of total offense, including 328 on the ground, while limiting the Pilgrims (1-5, 0-3 CNE) to minus-18 rushing yards. The Eagles recorded six sacks, forced three turnovers and held New England College without a third-down conversion in 10 attempts.
Ruiz Cantu led the offensive attack with 157 yards and three scores on 16 carries, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt, while sophomore Anthony Santacroce added 87 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Husson broke through early in the second period when Santacroce capped a nine-play, 60-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run at the 13:46 mark. Senior Alexander Henry connected on the extra point to give the Eagles a 7-0 advantage.
The Eagles extended their lead midway through the quarter behind Ruiz Cantu, who broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run with 6:17 remaining in the half. The score capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive and pushed Husson's advantage to 14-0.
Husson's defense continued to create opportunities for the offense, and the Eagles capitalized with another touchdown less than a minute later. Senior quarterback Brody Gibson connected with senior Jacob Lenz for an eight-yard touchdown pass, completing a two-play, 12-yard scoring drive to make it 21-0 with 5:19 left in the second quarter.
Ruiz Cantu struck again before halftime, finding the end zone on a 26-yard touchdown run with 1:52 remaining. The four-play, 62-yard drive gave the Eagles a commanding 28-0 lead heading into the break.
The Eagles picked up right where they left off to begin the second half, as Ruiz Cantu completed his three-touchdown performance with a 25-yard scoring run at the 12:07 mark of the third quarter. The touchdown capped a four-play, 39-yard drive and extended Husson's lead to 35-0.
Santacroce added his second touchdown of the afternoon later in the third quarter, punching in a four-yard run with 6:47 remaining in the period. The five-play, 53-yard scoring drive pushed the Eagles' advantage to 42-0, with Henry converting his sixth extra point of the contest.
Husson's defense preserved the shutout throughout the fourth quarter, completing one of its most dominant performances of the season.
Freshman Calvin Casavant anchored the defensive effort with five tackles, including 2.5 sacks for 19 yards, while also forcing a fumble. Junior Erik Menger added three tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, while senior Noah Snyder and sophomore Cooper McNamara each recorded a sack.
McNamara also came away with an interception, returning it four yards, while sophomore Adrian Acosta and senior Lopati Stotler each recovered a fumble. Freshman Melvyn Telisca contributed three pass breakups as the Eagles limited New England College to just 51 passing yards.
Offensively, Gibson completed 11 of 15 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Junior Caden Crocker hauled in four receptions for 37 yards, while Lenz finished with four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.
Husson controlled possession for 37 minutes and recorded 24 first downs compared to just five for New England College. The Eagles averaged 6.3 yards per offensive play and did not commit a turnover.
The Pilgrims managed just 33 total yards on 46 plays, averaging 0.7 yards per snap, as Husson's defense consistently disrupted the New England College offense.
The Eagles return home on Saturday for the sixth annual Lobster Trap Game against the University of New England with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
