Football Topped by USMMA, 29-19
KINGS POINT, N.Y. (9/2/06) Kean University raced out to a 19-12
first half lead, however, the United States Merchant Marine Academy
football team rallied for 17 unanswered second half points to top
the Cougars 29-19 in the season opener.
The Cougars erased an early defecit when junior safety Ryan Staton
(Mays Landing, N.J.) picked up a fumble and rambled 37-yards for a
score to give Kean a 7-3 first quarter lead. Sophomore running back
Chris Aquino (Somerville, N.J.) extended the lead midway through
the second quarter with a one-yard plunge. The PAT failed and the
Cougars held a 13-3 lead.
With just 54 seconds left in the half, USMMA scored their first TD
of the game to trim the deficit to just 13-10. However, the Cougars
executed a perfect two minute drive that was capped by an AJ Roque
(Matawan, N.J.) 31-yard TD pass to Durell Dukes (Elizabeth, N.J.).
The subsequent point after was blocked and USMMA's Alen Maza picked
up the ball and returned it for a two-point conversion to make the
score 19-12 at the half.
In the second half, Kings Point controlled the game on the ground,
as running back Davey May gained 140 of his career-high 155 yards
and two TDs, including the decisive 40-yard score late in the
fourth to lift Mariners to the win.
Overall for the Cougars, Roque was just 12-of-26 for 192 yards and
one TD and one interception. Sophomore receiver Dukes had a career
day with seven receptions for 106 yards and the one score. On the
ground freshman Jared Chunn (Eatontown, N.J.) and Roque each
finished with 37 yards rushing.
Defensively, freshman Jason Leeds (Egg Harbor City, N.J.) had 14
total tackles, including nine solo stops, while Staton had 11
tackles and one fumble recovery. Sophomore Guy Ulmer-Santos
(Lincoln, N.J.) had 10 stops and Aharon Kiett (Atlantic City, N.J.)
had two pass breakups.
The Cougars have a bye next week and they will look get into the
win column when they travel to play Franklin & Marshall on
September 16 at 7:30 p.m.
