WPI 34, UMass Dartmouth 28 (5 OT)

Box Score

North Dartmouth, MA --- Justin Wells (Jay, ME) scored on a quarterback keeper from two yards out in the fifth overtime to help WPI defeat host UMass Dartmouth 34-28 in the longest game in the 119-year history of WPI football. 

After a pair of scoreless overtimes, the Corsairs put the pressure on the Engineer offense when they began the third overtime with a Alex Garro (Mattapoisett, MA) 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown and then notched a two-point conversion pass from Garro to George Vasiliadis (Worcester, MA).  The Crimson and Gray answered back with a Wells 12-yard TD pass to Aaron Champagne (Fairfield, ME) and then a Wells to Cody McGregor (Westfield, MA) two-point conversion toss. 

Each team then missed a field goal in the fourth overtime and the Corsairs opened the fifth overtime with their fourth missed three-point try of the extra sessions, setting the stage for Wells's heroics. 

Wells completed 16-of-34 passes on the night for 250 yards and two touchdowns.  The senior added 41 yards of rushing on 12 carries, including the game-winning plunge. 

UMass Dartmouth rallied from a 20-6 deficit to force overtime with a pair of four quarter touchdowns including a Garro one-yard sneak and a 12-yard touchdown reception from Garro to John Henry (Tenafly, NJ).  

WPI received a pair of outstanding defensive efforts from linebackers Matt Boudreau (Rensselaer, NY) and Stefan Nicotra (Wyoming, RI).  The duo eached registered 15 tackles while Justin Thomas (Stannard, VT), Adam Power (Tewksbury, MA) and Andrew Sides (Acton, MA) all were credited with 10 stops on the night.

Much earlier, WPI struck first, taking a 7-0 lead when Manny Cambra (Bethel, CT) scored on a 14-yard run 4:08 into the first quarter. The Corsairs tied it on a 35-yard run by senior running back J.T. Harold (North Andover, MA), but the extra point failed when they snap went awry. Backup quarterback Mike Swanton (Foxboro, MA) hit Cody McGregor with a four-yard scoring pass with 3:23 to play in the first half, and Wells connected with R.C. Grady (Shirley, MA) from 43 yards out a minute and two seconds before halftime to stake the Engineers to a 14-point lead at the intermission.  Grady finished the night with six catches for 141 yards and the TD. 

Neither team scored in the third period, setting the stage for the Corsairs' comeback.

The game, originally scheduled for Saturday night, was moved up a night due to the forecasted impact of Tropical Storm Hanna.

WPI will return to action a week from Saturday when they host city rival Worcester State in their home opener a 1pm.  UMass Dartmouth ventures to Bridgewater State they same day for a noontime contest.

Portion of the release courtesy UMass Dartmouth Sports Information