Box Score
KINGS POINT, NY -- Union College totaled 465 yards in offense and kept the United States Merchant Marine Academy scoreless for the final three quarters in a 33-14 Liberty League victory over the Cadets at Brooks Stadium Saturday.
With the victory, the Dutchmen clinch a share of the Liberty League Championship, as they finish league play at 5-1 (5-4 overall). Merchant Marine is 1-4 in the league and 2-7 overall). Hobart is 4-1 in the league after a 28-27 loss at RPI Saturday. Hobart must defeat Rochester to win the NCAA automatic bid next week, (holding the tie breaker over Union), or the Dutchmen will head to the playoffs. Union plays non-league Springfield next week.
This was the fifth time this season Union posted 400 or more yards in total offense. It is the sixth time in eight years that the Dutchmen have finished first or second in the league standings.
Drew Connolly was 17 for 31 with no interceptions and 238 yards, and tossed three touchdowns (giving him 18 in six games). Justin Gallo had seven catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, and is now just 62 yards shy of becoming the all-time career receiving yards record holder. T.J. Franzese had his second career 100 yard rushing game, with a career best 117 yards on 17 carries. Co-captain Kevin Quillinan and Steve Modliszewski led the Dutchmen with seven tackles each.
Alex Coviello led the Cadets both through the air and on the ground. He kept it 13 times for 150 yards and a touchdown while passing for 63 yards with four completions on 12 attempts. Michael Bako had two catches for 32 yards and Kevin Stapf led the defensive effort for USMMA with a game high 14 tackles including one for a loss. This was Union's seventh win over Merchant Marine in the last eight meetings.
Justin Gallo caught a 17 yard pass from Connolly just 2:19 into the first quarter on a five play, 34 yard drive off the opening kickoff. But the Cadets tied it at 7-7 at 7:23 when Coviello ran 71 yards on a keeper to cap a three play, 82 yard drive in 1:03.
Union took the lead with 3:33 left in the first quarter when Henry kicked his 11th field goal of the year, a 25 yarder. That capped a 4:58 drive that took 11 plays and 52 yards. Chris Adema gave the Cadets their first and only lead of the day at 14-10 on a 13 yard run with 2:08 left in the wide open first quarter. It was the third play of a 43 yard drive that consumed 1:17. But with just 1:08 left in the quarter, Union's Jimmer Bennett caught a 38 yard strike from Connolly on a three play, 40 yard drive and it was 17-14 entering the second quarter.
Gallo made it 24-14 with a 28 yard catch from Connolly at 8:18 of the second quarter. The five play, 58 yard drive took 1:42. Henry's second field goal of the day, a 19 yarder, came with just nine seconds left on the second quarter clock for a 27-14 lead for the visitors. The impressive drive ate up 4:58 off the clock with 11 plays and 74 yards. After a four-and-out for Merchant Marine to start the third quarter, Union went 14 plays and 88 yards in 5:59 and Rob Johnson ran it in from two yards out with 7:37 left in the quarter. The point after missed for a 33-14 score.
After the kickoff, Merchant Marine threatened with a long drive. But on the 16th play of the drive, a 4th and goal at the Union one, Chris Adams was stopped at the line by Connor Beerworth and Union took over with 1:04 left in the quarter. Union's Joshua Rose later intercepted a pass on a 4th and seven at the Union 16 with 7:17 left in the fourth.
Union hosts Springfield November 12 at 12 p.m. for Senior Day at Frank Bailey Field.
