Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The 2014 regular season ended prematurely for the Norwich University Cadets as they dropped their final game of the season arch-rival Castleton State, 48-28 in to Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) play. The Cadets' fall to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play as 19 seniors were recognized prior to the game.
With the defeat, Norwich finishes third in the ECFC and awaits the possibility of either getting into the NCAA tournament with an at-large bid or participates in the ECAC bowl game, which will be announced on Monday.
Castleton wasted no time on its first drive of the game as quarterback Kevin Alberque started the scoring spree for the Spartans as he connected with George Busharis on a 19-yard pass for the first score of the game before connecting with wide receiver Zachary Howe on a 65-yard bomb to put Castleton ahead 14-0.
Despite the 7:10 time of possession in the first quarter, Norwich struggled to move the ball as Castleton limited the Cadets to just 117 total yards to the Spartans' 241. Busharis would partner up with Alberque once again on a 32-yard pass to extend the lead 21-0 to end the quarter.
Castleton didn't end the running up of the score in the second quarter as the Spartans scored a pair of touchdowns on a 9-yard run and a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown to make it 34-0. Norwich came back to life at the 5:10 mark as senior quarterback Joshaua Woodward (Dayton, Maine) threw a career-long 72-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Pierre Noel (Manchester, N.H.) to put the Cadets on the board.
The Maroon and Gold continued its fight back into the game as senior linebacker Addison Nye (Hooksett, N.H.) intercepted a Busharis pass at the Norwich's 49 before senior running back Al Georgio (West Greenwich, R.I.) punched through the wall for the 4-yard touchdown to make it 34-14 at the half.
Norwich opened the second half with the ball, looking to keep the momentum on its side the Cadets marched down the field on its first drive until a forced fumble cut the drive short as Castleton recovered the ball at its 47 yard line. Despite the a strong defensive stop to force a Spartan turnover on 4th down, the Cadets would cough up the ball once again as Woodward saw his pass intercepted right on the first play of the drive before Castleton scored two plays later on a 13-yard passing touchdown to make it 4-14.
The Spartans would score two drives later after finding itself on the Norwich's 2-yard line before Busharis rushed into the end zone for the 46-14 score. Castleton attempted the extra point but the snap went wrong and the attempt failed on a pass attempt instead.
After a 24-yard kickoff return by sophomore defensive back Michael O'Neill (Winthrop, Mass.) started the Norwich drive that resulted in seven plays for 71 yards as Woodward connected with junior wide receiver Zach Allen (Boston, Mass.) on a 19-yard pass for the touchdown before the Cadets successfully converted the 2-point attempt to trail 46-22.
Castleton started its drive towards the end zone until freshman defensive back Austin Roberts intercepted a pass by Busharis for the touchback. Norwich would score its final touchdown of the game on the next drive as Woodward found senior wide receiver Dan Jamieson (Morris Plains, N.J.) open on a 53-yard bomb for the touchdown in the third quarter.
Castleton would score two more points in the fourth on a safety for the final score, 48-28 as the Spartans clinched the Maple Sap Bucket trophy and have won two of the six games in the series.
Woodward would throw a career-high 340 yards for three touchdowns, while Georgio pounded the ground for 101 rushing yards and a touchdown. Noel would lead the receiving squad with 157 receiving yards and a touchdown, while freshman linebacker Matt LaFevre (Milford, N.J.) led the defensive efforts with a career-high 15 tackles on the day, including an interception. Nye and Roberts would contribute six tackles and an interception each.
The Cadets will await its fate on Monday and find out whether they will qualify for the NCAA tournament with an at-large bid or be invited to the ECAC bowl game.
