Interview with Coach Landers

Mount Ida College sophomore quarterback Scott Drosendahl (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) passed for a career high 307 yards completing 28-42 chances with a touchdown en route to the Mustangs first Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) victory over 2009 defending champion Norwich University in a 22-21 nail biter Saturday afternoon in Newton, Massachusetts on homecoming.  The Mustangs, who had never beaten the Cadets in 12 previous tries through the past 10 seasons, get their first ever victory over the visitors improving to 2-1 overall, and a league leading 1-0 in conference play snapping the Cadets three game winning streak to start 2010.  The Cadets fall to 3-1 dropping to 0-1 in ECFC competition. 

Norwich elected to receive the ball after winning the toss and immediately was stopped by the Mount Ida defense that came out hot and physical.  After the squads exchanged a couple of possessions the Mustangs, who hung onto the ball for almost 38 minutes throughout the entire game, completed a 12 play, 37 yard drive on a senior Billy Beauzile (Brooklyn, NY/Samuel J. Tilden) 48 yard field goal chewing through 6:50 of clock on the possession.  Beauzile’s boot was good for the school record giving the hosts an immediate 3-0 advantage with 2:43 remaining in the first quarter.

On the ensuing possession, the Cadets got off to great field position on a 48 yard return by sophomore Orwin Etkins (Miramar, FL/Miramar) putting the visitors on the hosts 40 yard line.  Norwich sophomore quarterback Kris Sabourin (Georgia, VT/Bellows Free Academy) followed with a 36 yard completion to sophomore Chris Denton (Plantation, FL/South Plantation) setting up the Cadets on the Mount Ida four yard line.

It looked as if the visitors would punch in their first points of the day, but the Mount Ida defense stymied the Cadets on a three play goal line stand.  The Cadets opted for a field goal try that was missed wide left by junior place kicker Long Ding (Franklin, MA/New Hampton) dropping an opportunity to tie the game early.  The Mustangs went into the second quarter of play with a 3-0 advantage and the ball.

On Mount Ida’s first possession of the second quarter, the Mustangs drove down field converting a 10 play, 80 yard drive that finished with a 10 yard out pass in the right corner of the end zone from Drosendahl to junior wide out Nick Lynch (Hampton Bays, NY/Hampton Bays) who muscled off his single man coverage for the touchdown.  Beauzile botched the point after attempt holding the Mustangs at 9-0 over the Cadets with 10:54 to go before the half. 

The Cadets would counteract on their ensuing possession converting a six play, 80 yard drive capped off on a one yard rush by sophomore Danny Triplett (Haverhill, MA/Haverhill) giving the Cadets their first score of the contest with 7:42 remaining in the first half.  After the successful PAT by Ding the visitors trialed 9-7. 

The Mustangs did not back down scoring immediately on the following possession off  junior running back Johrone Bunch’s (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney) first big rush of the day good for 33 yards capping an eight play, 63 yard drive with 3:16 to go before the midway point.  Beauzile missed another crucial PAT that could have haunted the hosts at the end of the game, giving the Mustangs a 15-7 lead. 

Norwich answered on the ensuing possession on an 11 play, 63 yard strike finished by junior Andrew Fulford’s (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester) three yard rush with 28 seconds left in the half cutting the Mustang advantage to 15-13.  A failed two point conversion on a tough call in the back of the end zone kept the score at 15-13 at the break.  Mount Ida held onto the ball for 19 of the 30 minutes recorded in the half keeping the Cadets high powered offense off the field.

To start the third quarter, the Mustangs put together a very long opening drive going 15 plays for 90 yards for a total of over eight minutes.  Mount Ida failed to score opting to go for it on fourth and one instead of kicking the short field goal unable to convert turning the ball over to the Cadets on their own one yard line.  After  a quick four and out by the Cadets on the following possession, the Mustangs would ultimately give the ball right back on their first play of the drive on Drosendahl’s first interception of the day giving the visitors outstanding field position on the Mount Ida 35 yard line.

The Cadets eventually converted the possession on a three play, 35 yard drive off a 20 yard touchdown run by Fulford for his second score of the contest taking a 19-15 advantage into the final minutes of the third quarter.  Norwich head coach Shawn McIntyre decided to go for two converting the rushing attempt by Sabourin for the 21-15 lead.

On the ensuing drive the Mustangs rode the coattails of Bunch on a four play drive that was ended in the Cadets end zone after a 70 yard rushing attempt by the running back giving the Mustangs the 21-21 tie.  Beauzile converted the PAT giving the Mustangs the one point lead (22-21) heading into the final quarter.

The entire fourth quarter was showcased by outstanding defensive play by both teams.  It was a battle to the finish with the Mustangs forcing the Cadets to give the ball back three times in the final quarter for the 22-21 ECFC victory. 

The visitors desperately tried to make a comeback but Mount Ida continued to eat up clock, holding the ball for a total of over nine minutes of 15 in the fourth quarter, making it difficult for the Cadets to put together a substantial drive with no time on their side.

On third and 11 with under a minute to go in the contest, sophomore defensive end A.J. Knibbs (Spotwood, NJ/Spotwood) sacked Sabourin for a huge loss bringing up fourth down at the 50 yard line.  The only thing the Cadets could do is air out a hail mary pass that was batted down by senior corner Mackenson Charles (Lynn, MA/Lynn Tech) for the end of the game and the Mustangs first ECFC win of the season against a very tough Norwich team.

Offensively along with Drosendahl, Bunch added his best statistical outing of the season with 30 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns.  Lynch was also impressive with 12 catches for 134 yards receiving and a touchdown catch.  Sophomore wide receiver Matthew Valentini (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Jefferson TWP.) also showcased a big game with five catches for 48 yards and senior fullback Paul Shaughnessy (Malden, MA/Northeast Metro Regional) pulled down six catches for 61 yards.

Defensively Knibbs was outstanding with five solo tackles, a big sack, two pass break ups, and two quarterback hurries.  Senior defensive tackle Emmersson Huaranga (Harrison, NJ/St. Peter’s Prep) was also outstanding with 5.5 total tackles, five solo, and a sack.  Senior safety Julien Baptiste (Greenlawn, NY/Elwood-John Glenn) added a team high six solo tackles as well with one break up. 

The Cadets were led by Sabourin with 14 carries for 119 yards, with a long of 62 yards, going 13-25 passing adding 119 yards through the air. Denton was the go-to receiver for the visitors with seven catches for 101 yards and no touchdowns.

The Mustangs will travel to Castleton State College next Saturday for their second ECFC match-up of 2010 with kick-off slated for 1:00 p.m.