SPRINGFIELD, Mass.– The Assumption University football team started fast and never looked back, as the Greyhounds opened up Northeast 10 Conference action with a 37-14 win over American International College on Saturday afternoon
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 37, American International College 14
Records: Greyhounds (2-2, 1-0 NE10) | Yellow Jackets (2-2, 0-1 NE10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Assumption wasted little time getting on the board, as
Dom Santiago connected with
Keith Mancini for a touchdown just 23 seconds into the game. The Greyhounds added a 33-yard field goal from
Luke Liborio later in the first quarter to build a 9-0 advantage.
American International got on the board with a safety, but Assumption carried a 9-2 lead to begin the second frame. The Greyhounds broke the game open late in the second quarter. Santiago found
Zylas Abney for a 25-yard touchdown with 1:25 remaining, extending the lead to 16-2. Just 33 seconds later,
Marquis Atkins intercepted AIC quarterback Daron Bryden and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, sending Assumption into halftime with a 23-2 advantage.
Assumption continued to pull away in the third quarter.
Widley Jean-Francois capped an eight-play, 69-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run to make it 30-2. Less than four minutes later, Santiago connected with
Will McNamara for a 56-yard touchdown, pushing the Greyhounds' advantage to 37-2 heading into the fourth quarter.
American International scored twice in the fourth quarter, but the Greyhounds' advantage was never threatened as Assumption secured the 37-14 NE10 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Dom Santiago went 10-for-15 through the air for 176 yards and three touchdowns.
- The Greyhounds had three main backs, with Widley Jean-Francois leading the way with seven carries for 69 yards and a score, while Kaiden Brochu (five for 30) and Ja'Cion Cox (six for 20) added to the triple threat.
- Will McNamara had two catches for 84 yards and a score, Zylas Abney hauled in three catches for 41 yards and a touchdown, while Keith Mancini caught the third touchdown pass for the Hounds.
- Defensively, Owen Fitzgerald led the way with nine tackles, one for a loss, and one sack. Marquis Atkins added a sack and a 20-yard interception returned for a score, while Michael Sabric had the other sack for Assumption. Mathys Nieves had a 10-yard interception return, and Damion Sparrow added the third pick for the Blue and White defense.
- AIC still leads the all-time series 16-14.
UP NEXT
- Assumption vs. Bentley University, Saturday, October 3, 12:00 pm.
- AIC vs. Franklin Pierce University, Saturday, October 3, 12:00 pm.
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