Box Score 

BANGOR, Maine - Danny Triplett rushed for a  game-high 116 yards and one touchdown, and the Cadets defense stopped a two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter as the Norwich University football team held on to beat Husson College, 20-19, in an important Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) game Saturday afternoon at the John Winkin Stadium.

Andrew Fulford added 112 yards on 28 carries for the Cadets (4-3, 4-0 ECFC), who racked up 281 yards on the ground. Norwich has won four straight games for the first time since the 2004 season. Today's victory marks the first time in four tries that the Cadets have defeated the Eagles (2-4, 1-2 ECFC).

Husson opened the scoring at the 10:43 mark of the first quarter when Doug Blades intercepted a Kris Sabourin pass in the left flat and sprinted 73 yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt by Nathan Conway was blocked by the Cadets, and the Eagles had to settle for a 6-0 lead.

Norwich took its first lead of the contest with 3:00 to play in the second quarter when Triplett rushed for a two-yard touchdown. The run, which capped a 50-yard drive for the Cadets, came immediately after Orwin Etkins picked up a key first down on a fourth-and-three play from the Husson five-yard line. Ryan Kelly's extra point gave NU a 7-6 advantage.

Mike Ohrenberger forced a Husson fumble inside the Eagles' 30-yard line with 26 seconds to play in the second quarter, and Norwich took advantage as Kelly knocked through a 20-yard field goal with no time left on the clock. The field goal, which extended the Cadets' lead to 10-6 at the intermission, came right after a key pass interference penalty against Husson set up NU at the Eagles' three-yard line.

The Cadets increased their lead to 13-6 with 7:47 to play in the third quarter as Kelly booted a 23-yard field goal. The kick cashed in a 10-play, 71-yard drive for Norwich.

A 27-yard kickoff return by Blades set Husson up in Norwich territory to start its ensuing possession. The Eagles took advantage of the favorable field position as they marched right down the field and scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Cody Goddard to Audie Murphy. Carlos Romero's extra point attempt sailed through the uprights to tie the score at 13-13 with 5:47 left in the third quarter.

Norwich reclaimed the lead at the 6:02 mark of the fourth quarter when Etkins rushed for a one-yard touchdown on a fouth-and-goal play. Kelly's extra point put the Cadets on top 20-13.

Husson appeared to be marching for the game-tying touchdown on its next possession, but D.J. Siverhus intercepted a Goddard pass in the end zone to thwart the Eagles' drive with just 3:48 to play.

After a three-and-out, Norwich had to punt the ball back to Husson, and the Eagles' Ramael Barton returned Brian Segit's kick 43 yards to the Cadets' 22-yard line. Four straight runs by Julius Williams helped the Eagles into the end zone as the senior running back scampered in from five yards out to pull Husson to within 20-19 with 1:01 remaining in the contest. The Eagles attempted to go for the two-point conversion, but they were denied and Norwich remained in front.

The drama continued as Husson was able to recover the onside kick. Back-to-back pass completions from Goddard to Murphy helped the Eagles move the football to the Norwich 45-yard line. That was as far as Husson would get, though as time expired following a pair of incomplete passes.

Dan Reale led the Cadets' defense with seven tackles and one tackle-for-loss. Norwich limited Husson to just 173 yards of total offense and 10 first downs in the contest.

Williams led the Husson offense with 70 rushing yards. Goddard finished with 93 yards through the air.

The Cadets return to the friendly confines of Sabine Field next Saturday, Oct. 24, to host Anna Maria College. Although the AMCATS are a member of the ECFC, next week's game will not count in the league standings. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.