Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth defense made a fourth down stand inside its own 10-yard line with 90 seconds remaining in regulation to hold off Western Connecticut State University's fourth quarter comeback, defeating the Colonials 27-21 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) contest Saturday afternoon on Cressy Field. Prior to the start of the contest, the Corsairs honor their five seniors who were making their final appearance at Cressy Field.
UMass Dartmouth won its second straight Senior Day to improve its overall record to 4-5, including 3-4 inside the conference circuit. Western Connecticut suffered its second straight setback to fall to 4-5 and 3-4 against MASCAC opponents.
Leading 27-21, senior Rich Bellizzi (Dartmouth, Mass.) launched a season-high 64-yard punt to pin the Colonials' at their own two with five minutes, 18 seconds remaining in regulation. Senior Will Arndt (Sandy Hook, Conn.) completed three consecutive passes to quickly move the visitors to the Corsair 29. Following a pair of UMass Dartmouth penalties and a five-yard run, Western Connecticut was set up with first and 10 at the hosts' 15. Junior Michael Nicol (Wolcott, Conn.) picked up six yards on first down, but back-to-back incompletions forced the pivotal fourth down try. Senior Anthony LaRose (Dorchester, Mass.) penetrated the Colonial offensive line and pressured an incomplete throw to allow UMass Dartmouth to run out the clock.
Western Connecticut came into the game with one of the best offensive attacks in the nation, ranking 13th in total offense (503.1), 19th in passing (309.4), and 26th in scoring (41.0). However, the Corsair defense held the Colonials below their season average in all three categories, allowing 429 total yards, 270 passing yards, and 21 points. Sophomore Scott Tupper's (Holden, Mass.) forced all three of Western Connecticut's turnovers with two interceptions and fumble recovery. Junior Alex Ortega (Lynn, Mass.) recorded a team-high nine tackles and a forced fumble, while senior Blake Sullivan (Beverly, Mass.) tallied seven stops.
UMass Dartmouth was determined to slow down the visitors' high-powered offensive attack by committing to the run. The Corsairs pounded the run with a season-high 60 attempts, registering 280 of their 413 total yards on the ground. Junior Stephen Roy (Northboro, Mass.) gained 99 yards on 27 carries, while classmate Mike Slaughter, Jr. (Springfield, Mass.) produced 93 yards on 15 attempts.
Junior Cory Burnham (Essex, Mass.) was efficient throughout the contest, completing 68.8 percent (11-of-16) of his attempts for 133 yards and four touchdowns. Burnham has thrown for at least four touchdowns six times in his career, including four this season.
Freshman Abbi Bamgbose (Fitchburg, Mass.) was Burnham's top target, catching five passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Bamgbose set a new standard for touchdown receptions by a rookie in a single-season (9), putting an additional two between the previous record that was set by Corey Williams in 2004. Senior Jason Ferri (Billerica, Mass.) hauled in three receptions for 41 yards and two touchdowns.
UMass Dartmouth controlled the clock, holding the ball for 32 minutes, 52 seconds, converted 35 percent (6-of-17) of its three downs and was 2-for-3 on fourth down.
Western Connecticut turned the ball over on downs on its opening possession, setting the Corsairs up at their own 37. UMass Dartmouth featured five consecutive runs to move down to the Colonial 25. Burnham used a play-attack fake and hit Ferri down the seam for a 25-yard strike to give the hosts' an early 7-0 advantage.
The Corsairs extended their advantage in the second quarter, marching 70 yards on seven plays. Burnham capped the scoring drive with a 27-yard fade to Bamgbose inside the left pylon. The hosts missed the ensuing extra point to take a 13-0 lead into the halftime locker room.
Western Connecticut forced a three-and-out on UMass Dartmouth's opening drive of the second half, but the Corsairs quickly regained possession when the Colonials fumbled on their first play. The hosts capitalized on the eighth play of the drive as Burnham split the visitors secondary with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Bamgbose.
The Colonials found their offensive rhythm on the ensuing possession, needing just three plays to cover 65 yards. Senior Jason Piontkowski (New London, Conn.) broke free down the seam for a 37-yard touchdown reception.
The Corsairs answered on their next drive to regain their 20-point advantage, when Ferri pulled in a six-yard TD in the back corner of the end zone with six minutes, 50 seconds left in the third quarter.
Western Connecticut scored a pair of touchdowns three and a half minutes apart to whittle its deficit to 27-21. Arndt tossed a 28-yard touchdown to senior Connor Falaguerra (Milford, Conn.) before finding classmate Alex Altermatt (Branford, Conn.) from five-yards out.
Arndt, who entered the game as the fourth-ranked passer in Division III, completed 21 of his 40 attempts for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Falaguerra registered four catches for 86 yards and a TD, while Altermatt produced 66 yards and a TD on eight receptions. Nicol accounted for 184 total yards of offense, including 120 on the ground.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 1p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, when the Corsairs travel to Fitchburg State University for their season finale.
