UNE football falls short in loss to Hampden-Sydney

Non‑Conference Football Highlights: Seven Games, Eleven Wins

A slate of non‑conference college football contests in the New England and New York‑Vermont regions produced a flurry of late‑game drama and standout individual performances on Saturday, September 22. In a day that saw 43‑41, 13‑7, 40‑0, 17‑7, 34‑14 and 24‑14 victories, teams from the NCAA Division I‑F CS, Division II and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) showcased their offensive firepower and defensive resilience.

University of New England Falls to Hampden‑Sydney 43‑41 in Biddeford

The University of New England (UNE) fought a hard‑battling battle against the Hampden‑Sydney Tigers in Biddeford, Maine. With the score tied 36‑36, Javin Willis broke the deadlock for UNE with a 10‑yard run with 4:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to 43‑41. The Tigers, however, used a clock‑management strategy to preserve their two‑point lead, ultimately clinching the win.

Hampden‑Sydney had already built a cushion in the third quarter, thanks to Connor Creech who scored twice on the ground. He helped the Tigers establish a 36‑28 advantage, which was extended to nine points by a 26‑yard run from Xavier Howard‑Morris. In total, UNE’s rush attack accumulated 461 yards: Damien Jones (195 yards, one touchdown), Willis (152 yards, two touchdowns) and Nathan Delgado (107 yards, two touchdowns). The Tigers’ offense was led by Terry Hicks, who ran 36 times for 319 yards and a touchdown.

Worcester Showdown: WPI Edges Husson 13‑7

In Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) outscored the Husson Eagles 13‑7. Grant Engelhart’s 29‑yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter gave the Engineers a 13‑point lead that held. WPI’s offense was modest, however, building a 6‑0 advantage with field goals of 42 and 25 yards from Nathan Napier. Husson answered later in the quarter with a 19‑yard pass from Brody Gibson to Brett Davis.

Gibson finished the game 25 of 42 for 204 passing yards, but the Eagles were unable to mount a comeback. WPI’s victory improved their record to 2‑1.

Castleton Triumphs 40‑0 Over Maine Maritime

The Castleton Spartans routed the Maine Maritime Mariners 40‑0 in Castleton, Vermont. RJ Monger was the offensive star, completing 23 of 31 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Ty Dowell added 123 yards on six receptions, including a touchdown, while Chase Viana Negron contributed two rushing touchdowns for the Spartans.

The Spartans’ 435‑to‑105 yards advantage over the Mariners underlined a dominant performance on both sides of the ball. With the win, Castleton improved to 2‑1, while Maine Maritime fell to 0‑2.

Williams vs. Bowdoin: A Close NESCAC Skirmish

The NESCAC opener in Williamstown, Massachusetts, saw the Williams Ephs defeat the Bowdoin Polar Bears 17‑7. Williams’ Owen Johansen started strong, rushing for a touchdown in the first quarter. An injury to Johansen forced backup quarterback Owen McHugh to step in, and he capped the comeback with a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Bowdoin, which had been shut out for the first time in the season, avoided a complete loss when senior Soren Hummel connected on a 27‑yard touchdown pass to Conrad Babka with 40 seconds remaining. The Polar Bears were limited to 12 rushing yards and committed three turnovers in a game that highlighted the close competitiveness of the NESCAC’s early matchups.

Trinity Dominates Colby 34‑14

In Hartford, Connecticut, Trinity College outscored Colby College 34‑14. Quarterback Jaxon Carroll threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Bantams to a 21‑0 halftime advantage after a touchdown run by Jack Tosone and two TD passes from Carroll. Tosone finished with three touchdowns—two passing and one receiving—while Stephen Gill, who shared quarterback duties, added two more touchdown passes in the second half.

The Bantams’ 435‑105 yards advantage and decisive playmaking secured a convincing win for the Trinity team.

Amherst Pulls Ahead of Bates 24‑14

In Amherst, Massachusetts, the Amherst Mammoths outscored the Bates Bobcats 24‑14 in the first NESCAC game of the season. The Mammoths opened the fourth quarter with a 29‑yard field goal from Hudson Fulcher‑Melendy, giving them a 10‑7 lead. Bates briefly took the lead when Marek Hill returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown with 3:13 remaining.

The Bobcats forced a punt that went astray, hitting a Bates blocker; the ball was recovered by Amherst. The Mammoths seized the momentum, driving 43 yards to score on a 2‑yard run by Michael Dunmore, pushing the score to 17‑14. Amherst’s Jack Gilmore answered with a 16‑yard interception return for a touchdown on the next Bates possession, sealing a 24‑14 victory.

Key Takeaways

• Late‑Game Heroics: Javin Willis’s 10‑yard run in the final minutes of the UNE‑Hampden‑Sydney game and