BANGOR, ME. – Five different players tallied touchdowns as part of Norwich University's 41-7 win over Husson Oct. 22.
Coach Mark Murnyack's squad, improving to 5-3 overall and 5-0 in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference, jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead on their guests and didn't look back. The Maroon and Gold pieced together three 10-plus-play drives during the roll, as junior quarterback Kris Sabourin (Georgia, Vt.), freshman running back/wide receiver Derek Pitts (Schnectady, N.Y.) and senior running back Andrew Fulford (Gloucester, Mass.) each bowled in touchdown runs. Senior place-kicker Long Ding (Qing Dao, China) added two 30-plus-yard field goals as part of the rally.
It was more of the same in the second half for NU's ground game. The underclassman duo of sophomore Mike Cavanaugh (Raymond, N.H.) and freshman Al Georgio (West Greenwich, Ct.) each ran in a score.
The Maroon and Gold's rushing attack, which churned out 18 first downs and 326 of the team's 400 total yards, was led by Sabourin with 93 yards on 11 carries. Pitts was next in line with 72 yards on 14 attempts. Sabourin concluded the game with 107 total yards as he was seven-of-14 through the air for 64 yards . The trio of Pitts, junior Brandon Rudd (New Haven, Conn.) and freshman Dan Jamison (Morris Plains, N.J.) each had two receptions.
Norwich's defense also played a key role in the program's fifth consecutive win. The unit held the Hawks (0-7, 0-4) to just 167 total yards including only 38 on the ground.
Sophomore linebacker Jimmy Labell (Stanhope, N.J.) turned in another strong game with six-and-a-half tackles including one for a loss. Senior defensive lineman Brandon Fowler (Warwick, R.I.) added four-and-a-half tackles and two sacks. NU's "D" crew also compiled three interceptions with one each for sophomore Dan Gogan (Keansbury, N.J.), senior Sean Stone (Wilder, Vt.) and senior Jeramie Little (Port St. Lucie).
The Cadets return to Sabine Field to face Anna Maria in ECFC play Saturday, Oct. 29. The Senior Day 2011 game kicks off at 1 p.m.
NOTES: The win kept Norwich a half-game in front of fellow league unbeaten SUNY-Maritime. …. The Maroon and Gold improved to 16-2 all-time in ECFC play. … Sabourin's recorded a rushing touchdown in four straight games and six total over the span.
