DARTMOUTH, Mass. – It was a dominant night under the lights at the UMass Dartmouth football team recorded a 31-7 victory over Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Friday in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on Friday. The Corsairs move to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in conference action.
A 39 yard field goal from sophomore kicker
Connor McManus led off the game as the Corsairs put three points on the board at 11:03 of the opening quarter. The Buccaneers responded as rusher Joseph Schwartz carried it in 1-yard for the 7-3 lead.
In the second quarter, junior rusher
Mekhi Wilson drove it into the endzone from four yards out, to give UMass Dartmouth the 10-7 advantage heading into halftime.
It was a 50-yard pass from sophomore quarterback into the grasp of rookie wide receiver
Jayden Francois that moved the Corsairs into a 17-7 lead at 14:43 of the third. UMD saw Wilson drive in another 1-yard score with 6:58 to play, while a three-yard pass to junior wide out
Naseim Harrison at the 2:23 mark in the third quarter.
Neither team was able to find the endzone in the final frame as UMass Dartmouth secured the victory with solid defense over the final 15 minutes.
Melton went 6-of-11 with 128 yards and two touchdowns, while junior quarterback
JC Petrongolo notched 74 yards. Wilson recorded his fourth straight game with 100+yards on the ground, carrying the ball 21 times for 105 yards and two scores. Francois finished with two catches for 95 yards and a score, while Harrison had two catches for 21 yards and a TD.
Leading the way on defense was junior defensive edge
Owen Dunker, who had four solo tackles and five assisted for nine on the night. He also had two tackles for a loss of 5 yards. Senior linebacker
Lamar Beaton and junior defensive back
Eli Matthews each had seven tackles, while senior captain
Kairis Codio added four tackles, including a sack for a loss of four yards.
UMass Dartmouth returns to action on October 18, hosting Worcester State on Blue & Gold Weekend. Action against the Lancers begins at 4pm on Cressy Field.
