CASTINE, Maine – Senior Michael Burgess blocked three kicks, including a block on what would have been the game-winning field goal for Curry College, to lead Maine Maritime Academy to a 21-20 win on Senior Day on Saturday at Ritchie Field.
The Mariner offense amassed 428 yards of total offense, including 379 rushing yards and three touchdowns, led by James Ferrar who rushed for 156 yards on 20 carries, and Joe DiBiase who tallied 148 yards on 15 carries. Senior quarterback Michael Fahey and Jacob Doolan grabbed the other two touchdowns for Maine Maritime.
Burgess recorded his first block on Curry's opening drive, as the two teams remained scoreless into the second quarter. The Colonels struck first, with a 5-play 60-yard drive capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass from Riley Cote to Nate Chartrand, and an extra point from Marc Mrozek.
Maine Maritime fumbled on their next possession, setting up a Curry 5-play 53-yard scoring drive, to give the Colonels a 14-0 lead. The Mariner defense forced a fumble, recovered by Johnny Weymouth, to set up a Fahey 2-yard touchdown run to close the game to 14-6, but Curry put together a 85-yard scoring drive to take a 20-6 lead. Burgess blocked Mrozek's extra point attempt, to send Curry into the half with the 14-point lead.
The Mariners scored late in the third quarter, on Ferrar's 46-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 20-14. Maine Maritime's defense came up big forcing the Colonel's to punt on their next possession. Doolan grabbed a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Mariners the 21-20 lead, capping off a 7-play 77-yard drive with 3:04 remaining in the game.
Maine Maritime's defense came up big yet again, holding the Colonels on a third-and-goal setting up a 25-yard field goal attempt by Mrozek. Burgess recorded his single game-record third blocked kick, preserving the Mariner lead.
The Mariners defense held the Colonel's on their next drive, and hung on for the win to improve to 2-5 overall, and 1-4 in the New England Football Conference, while Curry falls to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the NEFC.
Cody Chapman led the Mariners with six tackles (two solo), and a broken up pass, while Cody McDonald, Weymouth, Jeddy Doyon and Burgess each recorded five tackles. Christopher Ford and Robert Bradley, Jr. each recorded a sack. Matt Clifford tallied a game-high four broken up passes.
Steve Grogan led the Colonels with 13 tackles, including six solo stops, two tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles, while Devin Williams recorded 12 tackles (nine solo) a tackle for a loss and a broken up pass.
The Mariners return to action next Saturday, November 7 at Salve Regina, and the Colonels remain on the road to take on Endicott also on Saturday. (Recap courtesy of MMA Sports Information)
