Mariners rally to nip Westfield State

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CASTINE – The Maine Maritime Academy Mariners overcame two first-half deficits to earn a 21-14 New England Football Conference victory over Westfield State Saturday.

Maine Maritime Academy limited Westfield State to 23 rushing yards behind the play of Mike Riley, Nate Bolduc, Chris Tracy and Travis Fergola, each of whom posted seven tackles.

Fullback Jim Bower and quarterback Tyler Angell each rushed for 100-plus yards to pace the Mariners offense. It was Bower (31 carries, 133 yards) who scored from five yards out to cap an 11-play, third-quarter drive that gave MMA the lead for good.

Angell finished with 31 carries for 131 yards and a TD.

Westfield State jumped in front on Dan Cohen’s 10-yard toss to Scott McIntyre (14 catches, 100 yds.), but the Mariners answered on Bower’s 1-yard run. The PAT was blocked, leaving the Owls up 7-6.

The visitors added to the lead on Tim Thomas’ 1-yard run early in the second quarter, but MMA responded again. The Mariners ran 11 plays, scoring on Angell’s 1-yard dive.

Angell’s conversion rush tied the game 14-4.

MMA held a 131/2-minute advantage in time of possession and committed only one turnover.

Westfield’s Cohen completed 18 of 33 passes for 168 yards.

Westfield State (1-3) 7 7 0 0 – 14

MMA (2-2) 6 8 7 0 – 21

WSC – McIntyre 10 pass from Cohen (Tarlow kick)

MMA – Bower 1 run (kick blocked)

WSC – Thomas 1 run (Tarlow kick)

MMA – Angell 1 run (Angell rush)

MMA – Bower 5 run (Cunningham kick)

Middlebury 41, Colby 0

At Middlebury, Vt., the Panthers amassed 402 yards of total offense while cruising to a New England Small College Athletic Conference victory over the White Mules.

Donald McKillop completed 11 of 14 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns, including scoring tosses of 20, 31 and 35 yards to Andrew Matson.

Dan Prunier led Colby with 53 rushing yards and two catches for 30 yards. The White Mules committed six turnovers.

Alex Halls paced the visitors with 10 tackles.

Colby (0-2) 0 0 0 0 – 0

Middlebury (2-0) 21 6 14 0 – 41

M – Hardin 66 run (Britton kick)

M – Matson 20 pass from McKillop (Britton kick)

M – Cooper 1 run (Britton kick)

M – Matson 31 pass from McKillop (kick blocked)

M – Matson 35 pass from McKillop (Britton kick)

M – McKillop 3 run (Britton kick)