By Dylan Botelho, Staff Writer
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs blew the doors off the home squad Massachusetts Maritime Buccaneers 37-14 on Saturday, November 4’s bout.
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth improved to a 3-6 record, bouncing back from a defeat that looked similar to the one they handed out to Massachusetts Maritime this Saturday.
The Corsairs started the game strong early, but it was the concluding frame that sealed the victory for the team. After back to back three-and-outs for both teams, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs opened the scoring thanks to a 64-yard drive that was capped off by a 13-yard receiving touchdown by Abbi Bamgbose from quarterback Jace Pena.
This would only be the start of Pena’s night who through for a season-high 334 yards. 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception on 21-35 passing, also a season-high.
After a second three-and-out by the Mass Maritime Buccaneers, Pena would put together another solid drive, this time throwing a 6-yard pass to Jeremey Jackson to make it a two possession game early in the second quarter.
The Mass Maritime Buccaneers answered back for the first time however, putting together their first successful drive past three plays. Maritime’s quarterback led the charge in the Buccaneers’ first scoring drive of 11 plays and 49 yards, topping it off with a 17-yard pass on 3rd and 12 to wide receiver, Ryan Taft.
After a rather uneventful end to the first half, the Corsairs came fully ready to play in the second half looking to improve on their measly 14-7 lead.
The Corsairs defense was all over Mass Maritime throughout the game forcing the Buccaneers to a three-and-out four times and turn the ball over on downs once. They came up huge in the third quarter after Corsairs punter Finn Kearns pinned the Mass Maritime Buccaneers at their own 1-yard line with a 40-yard punt. Just the next play, Tony Slaughter broke through the Buccaneers’ offensive line and brought Haggerty down in his own end zone for a safety, improving the Corsairs lead to 16-7.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the game was still close. A touchdown and a field goal could seal the victory for the 1-7 Mass Maritime Buccaneers. The Corsairs didn’t seem to fond of this idea however. Jace Pena and Mike Slaughter assaulted the Buccaneers by both air and land in the fourth quarter, combing for three touchdowns in the final frame.
Pena found Abbi Bamgbose for the receiver’s second touchdown on the game, this time in the form of a 60-yard cannon of a pass down the field that made the game 23-7. From there, the Corsairs didn’t look back. Mike Slaughter punched in a 1-yard and then a second 12-yard rush that found the end zone both times to put the nail in the coffin of the Buccaneers. Before the game was over, Mass Maritime would add another touchdown to make the game final at 37-14 but by then it was all too late.
The Corsairs tore up the Mass Maritime defense all night long, with the trio of Pena, Bamgbose and Slaughter gaining over 100 yards and two touchdowns respectively. Wide receiver Jeremy Jackson wasn’t far behind them either, with 92 yards and a touchdown.
The Corsairs defense showed up huge, keeping Mass Maritime’s player’s stats no-where near their teammates. Not one Buccaneer had over 70 total yards thanks to the Corsairs’ stellar play. They also picked off two separate Mass Maritime quarterbacks. Chris Haggerty was picked off by Tony Slaughter in the second quarter and then Brendan Cuthill intercepted Ty Ebdon on his only pass attempt of the game in the fourth quarter.
The Corsairs are away against Fitchburg State next Saturday, November 11 at 12:00 p.m., to close out their regular season.