The Norwich University football team used a 21-point, third quarter outburst to spoil Mount Ida Head Coach Michael Landers' collegiate debut as the Cadets edged the Mustangs, 34-28, this afternoon at Mustang Athletic Stadium.
Junior wide receiver Kyle Watkins (New Haven, CT/James Hillhouse) had a record breaking afternoon, setting two Mount Ida career records. Watkins hauled in 108 yards on six catches to become the Mustangs' career leader in receiving yards with 1,569, putting an additional 60 yards between the previous standard held by William Smith ‘06. He also pulled in a pair of touchdown strikes to set the program's all time mark with 13.
The Cadets (1-0) would strike first on a seven play, 84-yard drive capped off with an 11- yard touchdown run by senior Darnell Jackson (Miami, FL/Parkway Academy) giving the visitors the 6-0 advantage. The PAT was botched to leave them with only the six.
The Mustangs (0-1) registered the equalizer on the ensuing possession. Freshman quarterback Tony Tokarz (Holden, MA/Wachusett Regional) hit sophomore wide receiver Steven Harris (Plantation, FL/Plantation) with a eight-yard strike for the first points of the campaign. After missing the point after attempt, the score would be knotted at 6-6.
Mount Ida was able to take advantage on an errant fourth-down snap on the Cadets' six-yard line to take its first lead of the game. Freshman tailback Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney) reached pay dirt on the following play to increase the hosts' advantage to 13-6.
The teams would trade touchdown passes with under three minutes remaining in the half. The Cadets converted a 26-yard air attack from sophomore quarterback Guerschom Jean-Gilles (Coral Springs, FL/Northeast) to senior Nate Strofolleno (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls Central) making it 13-13 with 2:57 left.
The Mustangs added a 32-yard TD pass for Watkins first score of the game giving them the 20-13 lead going into halftime.
Norwich used three quick strikes in a span of four minutes in the opening of the third quarter to take its first and final advantage of the game. Jean-Gilles would convert two touchdown passes-one to junior Kevin Ober (Medway, MA/Medway) and the other to sophomore Emilio Martinez (Brunswick, ME/Kents Hill)-while Jackson capped off the surge with an 11-yard scamper to take a 34-20 lead.
Jean-Gilles and Jackson combined for 210 yards on the ground; Jean-Gilles lead the team with 106 yards on 15 carries, while Jackson posted a pair of scores and 104 yards on 17 attempts.
Watkins would add his final TD of the game with 1:22 remaining in the final frame off an eight-yard pass from Tokarz, but it would prove not to be enough handing them a season and home opening defeat. Tokarz connected on 19-37 attempts for 210 yards and three touchdowns.
Mount Ida returns to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, when the Mustangs host Plymouth State University. Norwich will also be in action on Sept. 13 as the Cadets travel to St. Lawrence University for a 1 p.m. kickoff.