WPI 47, Becker 7
Box
Score
Worcester, MA --- The WPI defense limited Becker to 40 yards of
total offense in the first half to help lift the Engineers to a
47-7 victory over the visiting Hawks in non-conference football
action on Saturday afternoon. With the win, WPI improves to
3-0 for the second straight year while the Becker dips to
2-1.
Manny Cambra (Bethel, CT), who had a game-high
65 yards rushing, got the scoring starting for the Crimson and Gray
with a 18-yard touchdown scamper just 3:24 into the contest.
The Engineers received their next two touchdowns from the legs of
quarterback Justin Wells (Jay, ME), who collected
2 and 1-yard scoring carries. WPI extended their lead to 28-0
midway through the second quarter when Jack
Mulhern (Worcester, MA) picked up a fumble that had been
snapped over the Becker quarterback's head, and returned it 35-yard
for his first career score. Freshman Nick
Bean (Middleboro, MA) closed out the scoring in the first
half with a 8-yard touchdown reception from Mike
Swanton (Foxboro, MA) with just 44 seconds remaining
before intermission to give the Engineers a 34-0 advantage at the
half.
The WPI defense was the story of the first half as they forced
four punts and two turnovers in the first 30 minutes.
Stefan Nicotra (Wyoming, RI) led the defensive
effort with a team-best eight tackles, including one for loss, a
forced fumble and a pair of pass breakups. Preseason
All-American Andrew Sides (Acton, MA) added six
tackles and his ninth career interception. Erik
Pichette (Chelmsford, MA) and Craig
Kennedy (Seekonk, MA) each collected a pair of sacks while
Justin Thomas (Stannard, VT) registered a pair of
tackles for loss.
Swanton opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 6-yard
touchdown scramble. Becker broke into the scoring column
midway through the third stanza when Paul Casimir
(Miami, FL) ran it in from 5 yards out. The play was set up
by a brilliantly executed 59-yard pass from Gabriel
Prophet (Washington, DC) to Acie Johnson
(Lynn, MA). WPI scored the final touchdown of the contest with 28
seconds remaining in the third quarter when Pat
McAuley (Hingham, MA) found Will
Ziegenfus (Oakland, ME) with a 14-yard touchdown
pass.
Bean and R.C. Grady (Shirley, MA) each caught
four passes for 73 yards on the day. 13 different Engineers
ran the ball as the Crimson and Gray enjoyed a 444-140 advantage in
total offense.
Raheim Bass (Hollywood, FL) highlighted the
Becker defensive showing by tallying eight solo tackles.
Gary Clark (Glastonbury, CT) and John
Dutchick (Vernon, NY) both totaled three tackles with
Clark blocking a pair of extra point attempts and Dutchick adding a
sack and a fumble recovery. Johnson total 104 yards of return
yardage for the Hawks while Jacques Philippe
(Randolph, MA) ran for a team-best 37 yards on nine
carries.
Both teams return to the gridiron next Saturday. WPI will
head to Rensselaer, NY to face RPI in the annual Transit Trophy
game at 1pm while Becker returns home for a 2:30pm contest against
Mount Ida.
