BANGOR, Me- Quarterback Julian Nyland threw for over 200 yards and Worcester Polytechnic Institute rushed for over 200 yards as well on Saturday afternoon, improving to 3-0 on the season with a 31-12 win over the Husson Eagles in non-conference football action at the Winkin Complex. It was the home opener for Husson.
Both teams had an early turnover. After Husson (0-2) went three and out with the first possession of the game, Zach Connolly intercepted WPI quarterback Nyland inside the Engineers 30 yard line. On the ensuing possession though on a 3rd and goal from the three yard line, the ball was snapped over the head of Eagles quarterback David Morrison and recovered by WPI linebacker Brent Whitlock. The Engineers went down the field and got a 21 yard field goal from Bryce Wade. The WPI defense shut down Husson for a majority of the first half and added three second quarter touchdown runs from Sean McAllen of 12 yards and a pair from two yards out for a 24-0 late second quarter lead. The Eagles came alive finally and on a fourth down and 5 from the Engineers 26, Morrison put one into the end zone that Deshaun Robinson came down with for the score with only five seconds left before halftime. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Robinson pushed back the extra point 15 yards that was missed by Devin Pickett and WPI held a 24-6 lead at the break.
Neither team could do much in the second half. Tyler Halls caught a 13 yard score from Morrison with 6:50 to go in the game, but the two point pass conversion failed. Connor Field ran one in from four yards out with 1:31 left for WPI to ice the win.
Morrison finished 25-41 passing, 265 yards, with two touchdowns, and one interception. The Eagles only managed 53 yards rushing on the day on 22 attempts. Morrison led the way there with four carries and 28 yards. Halls had seven more receptions for 114 yards and a score. He now had 20 catches for 299 yards and two touchdowns through two games. Robinson also had the late first half score and also caught seven for 75 yards. David Redmond had 10 tackles to lead the Husson defense. Nyland went 13-20, 203 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in the WPI win. McAllen had 21 carries for 84 yards with the three second quarter touchdowns. Field finished with 17 carries for 81 yards and the late fourth quarter score. Billy Mitchell and Nic Rossi each had three catches, with Mitchell going for 57 yards and Rossi 51. Nick Ostrowski had 10 tackles to anchor the Engineers defense.
Husson will head back to the road for their final non-conference game of the season when they visit Suny-Morrisville next Saturday at 12 p.m.
Husson quarterback David Morrison awaits the snap during second quarter non-conference football action at Husson University against WPI on Saturday, September 21, 2019. WPI won 31-12. Photo by Chris Lessner.
