Several teams fall just short competition in the 2011 ECFC season opened this weekend.
Gallaudet University nearly pulled off a stirring upset on the opening week for NCAA Division III football as the Bison fell a two-point conversion short of taking down Otterbein University on Saturday as the visitors escaped Hotchkiss Field with a 28-27 overtime win.
Castleton quarterback Ernie Bragg orchestrated two late touchdowns but it wasnt enough as the Spartans lost at Plymouth 28-20.
Norwich rallied from behind twice, including scoring 17 unanswered points after falling behind to Western England 14-0 early, but quarterback Bryce Brown ran for two scores in the second half, including the eventual game winner on a 2-yard scamper that capped a five-play, 66-yard drive and gave WNE the lead for good with 1:43 left in the game.
Anna Maria fell to visiting Worcester State 55-30.
On Friday, Becker ran two kickoffs back for touchdowns in the first half to keep things close before falling to Fitchburg State 30-24.
Mount Ida rallied late with two second half touchdowns, including a Johrone Bunch 76 yd run, but couldn't catch Mass.-Dartmouth falling 24-21.
Meanwhile, Maritime lost to Division II Bentley 50-3 and visiting Adrian was too much for Husson 77-7.
September 2
Mount Ida 21, Mass.-Dartmouth 24 Box
Adrian 77, Husson 7 Box
Becker 24, Fitchburg St. 30 Box
Maritime (N.Y.) 3, Bentley 50 Box
September 3
Norwich 24, WNEC 28 Box
Otterbein 28, Gallaudet 27 (OT) Box
Castleton 20, Plymouth St. 28 Box
Worcester St. 55, Anna Maria 30 Box
