KINGS POINT, N.Y. - Wild weather plaqued many sporting events up and down the East Coast on Saturday afternoon and Gallaudet University's football game at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) was impacted as they could not dodge the lightning. 

Play was halted at the 5:45 mark in the second quarter as lightning crashed in the distance and the game was delayed. The two teams did not retake the field for another two hours.

The game would only resume for seven game minutes as the second quarter concluded and the third quarter began before more lightning was spotted and the game was called. USMMA won the lightning-shortened game, 30-13, as the Mariners (2-0) celebrated their home opener and homecoming.

Gallaudet (0-2) spotted the Mariners 14 points as two Bison fumbles, deep in their own territory, in the opening minutes allowed USMMA to score two touchdowns in the first three minutes of play.

The Bison regrouped and used 12 plays to march 71 yards down the field for their first score when junior Mikka Harvey (Prince Frederick, Md.) ran in from seven yards out to cut the USMMA lead in half, 14-7, at the 6:16 mark.

GU had a chance to knot the game up at the end of the first quarter but first-year quarterback Trevin Adams (Riverside, Calif.) had a deep pass intercepted at the USMMA 35-yard line and returned 39 yards into Bison territory. 

Two plays later, the Mariners scored again and were up 20-7 to begin the second quarter. USMMA not only added to its lead the Mariners took back momentum in what was a huge point swing in the game.

USMMA running back Cole Simmons scored a second time in the quarter on a one-yard plunge with 5:51 left before the half as the Mariners increased their lead to 27-7.

GU fielded the ensuing kickoff but the game was halted at the 5:45 mark. 

When play resumed after the two-hour delay, the teams traded possessions before Gallaudet aired things out on a lengthy drive that started at its own 2-yard line. Adams completed a 33-yard pass to sophomore Jaylen Johnson (Redlands, Calif.), who made a nice over the shoulder catch down the near sideline. GU then received some assistance from a USMMA pass interference call that moved the ball to midfield. Adams connected with junior Brandon Washington (Citronelle, Ala.) on a 31-yard reception, near the Bison sideline, down to the Mariner 11-yard line.

Two plays later, Adams threw up a fade pass to Washington in the left corner of the end zone for the nine-yard touchdown. The point after attempt was blocked as the Bison trailed 27-13.

USMMA added a 45-yard field goal to conclude the second quarter up 30-13.

The Mariners began the third quarter with the ball but only got four plays in before lightning flashed and the game was called with 13:42 left on the clock.

Adams finished 7-for-12 for 101 yards, one touchdown and one interception, to go with 31 rushing yards. Johnson had four receptions for 54 yards while Washington had three catches for 47 yards and a score. First-year linebacker Marcus Gabriel (Beeville, Texas) led the Bison on defense with six tackles and one tackle for a loss of four yards.

USMMA quarterback Gervy Alota concluded the day 1-for-6 for 42 yards and ran for 59 yards on five carries. Simmons ran the ball eight times for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

The game was quite close in the statistical categories as USMMA held a slight 172-170 edge in total offense while GU doubled up the Mariners on first downs, 12-6, and held a huge advantage on time of possession. Both teams run the triple option offense. The difference was the two early turnovers that allowed USMMA to take a 14-0 lead minutes into the game.

BISON TRACKS

• This was Gallaudet's first game against the USMMA since Sept. 4, 2010
• GU is 0-3 against USMMA since 2009
• USMMA wore special 142 uniforms to remember, honor and celebrate the lives of the Academy's 142 cadet-midshipment who gave their "last full measure" at sea during World War II. There was also a moment of silence prior to the start of the game to pay tribute to the 142

UP NEXT
Gallaudet returns home and will play host to University of New England (2-0) on Saturday, Sept. 16, at noon.