Elijah Garnett scored on an eight yard touchdown run with 53 seconds left in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon, as the Husson University Eagles recorded their first victory of the 2022 season by defeating the Alfred State Pioneers 23-17 in non-conference football action at the Winkin Complex in Bangor.
Husson (1-2) took their first lead of the early season on a 33 yard field goal by Aaron Paradis in the first quarter. Alfred State would score the next 10 points unanswered in the second to take a 10-3 advantage on a one yard quarterback keeper by Jimmy Brush, and a 31 yard field goal from Dawson Fontaine. The Eagles, after a very slow start, got even just before the break helped a pair of penalties and culminating in a two yard touchdown pass from Nic Visser to Cullen Casey to make it 10-10 at the break.
The hosts had a chance to go on top again in the third quarter marching deep into Pioneers territory with the first possession of the second half, but for the second time in the game they were stopped on a fourth and goal inside the Alfred State three yard line. On the third play of the final period, Husson did take that lead back when Visser found a wide open John Bell down the sideline for a 64 yard touchdown connection. The Pioneers tied it back up 17-17 with 3:39 to play on a two yard scoring run by Jake Palmer. The Eagles started the game winning drive at their own 42 yard line, and got deep into scoring territory helped by a 16 yard run by Visser and a 19 yard pass by the quarterback to Russ Walker. Garnett went into the endzone untouched on a second and goal play from the eight, but the extra point by Paradis was blocked. Husson would wrap up the victory when Parker LaFrance intercepted Brush on a fourth down from the Alfred State 28.
Visser went 19-26 passing for 233 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, also adding eight carries for 38 yards. Garnett rushed 26 times for 138 yards with the game winning touchdown. Bell had three catches for 89 yards and the early fourth quarter score, while Walker had four receptions for 78 yards. Tucker Buzzell had 16 total tackles (eight solo), with 2.5 tackles for loss to lead the defense. Brush finished 11-22 passing for 135 yards with one interception in the loss for 1-2 Alfred State. Brush also had seven rushes for 81 yards and a score, while Palmer was the leading rusher for the Pioneers with 121 yards on 33 attempts and a touchdown. Husson is back on the road for their final non-conference game of the season next Saturday when they head to Springfield College for a 12 p.m. kickoff.
