BANGOR, Maine - The Norwich Cadets drop the season opener 28-14 to the Husson Eagles.

Both teams showed offensive jitters in their opening drives while each corresponding defense secured a three-and-out to open the season.  After exchanging punts, the Eagles started their second possession at their own 39-yard line and used a 14 play, 61-yard drive, covering 7:19 on the clock, to score the game's first points.  Husson converted on a 4th and 2 from the Norwich 28-yard line midway through the drive.  Elijah Garnett then carried the ball the last five plays of the drive to the end zone, giving the home team a 7-0 lead. 

The Cadets answered with a 13 play, 76-yard drive, covering 6:08 on the clock, with a touchdown of their own and tied the game at 7-7.  On a 3rd and 22 just past midfield, sophomore quarterback Aidan Sullivan (Eliot, Maine) found senior running back Jehric Hackney (Jehrico, Vt.) on a short throw which Hackney turned into a 20-yard gain moving the ball to the Husson 29-yard line.  The Cadets elected to go for it and converted the 4th and 2 with a 6-yard run by Sullivan.  The very next play was the first of two touchdown receptions by junior Will Thornton (Cape Elizabeth, Maine).  It was Sullivan's first career collegiate touchdown pass.

The two teams then exchanged three-and-outs for the second time in the game. Husson gained the lead on the next possession when Nic Visser heaved a 26-yard desperation throw, on fourth down, which was corralled in the back of the end zone by Ja'Quan Myles.

It looked as though Norwich would answer yet again on the next possession.  But, a failed 4th and 1 from the Husson 36-yard line turned the ball over on downs to the home team, which already had a 7 point lead.  The Eagles methodically drove the ball down the field as the half was coming to an end while looking to add to their lead going into halftime.  The 10 play 51-yard drive was eventually halted by Norwich when the Cadets stopped the Eagles on a 4th and 3 from the Norwich 13-yard line with about 30 seconds left in the half.

To start the second half, the Cadet offense looked to have a different spark and had a 9 play drive to get the ball just past midfield before punting.  Husson had another long drive, this time covering 78-yards and using 14 plays before attempting a field goal.  Stefan Romero II (New York, NY) came off the edge to block the attempt and send the ball harmlessly rolling into the end zone to keep it a one possession game.

The following NU possession saw a bad snap result in a 3rd down fumble which set-up the Eagles on the Norwich 20-yard line.  Already in the red zone, it only took three plays to score.  The first two plays of the short drive were interior runs which the Cadet defense easily shutdown.  On third down, the Eagle QB found Ashton Navarrete down the left sideline for a 21-yard touchdown.  

After exchanging a few three-and-outs, the Eagle rushing attack was able to create some space as Garnett popped a 25-yard run to get the ball deep in the Norwich red zone.  Three more rushing plays resulted in a short Jed Lober touchdown to bring the score to 21-7 in favor of Husson.

During the critical next possession, Norwich faced 3rd and 15 from their own 30-yard line.  Graduate student Trevor Chase (Eliot, Maine), the reigning NEWMAC Offensive Athlete of the Year, was interfered with as he attempted to make a sideline catch.  The resulting penalty kept the drive alive.  Two plays later, freshman quarterback Ryan O'Keefe (Scarborough, Maine) found Chase near the right hash for a 10-yard completion which turned into a 25-yard play after Chase made one Eagle miss and out ran another.  A pair of running plays sandwiched around a holding penalty brought Norwich to a 4th and 15 from the Husson 42.  Trailing by 21, Coach Murnyack decided to go for it.  O'Keefe targeted Chase for the fifth time on the drive.  Chase came up with a diving 38-yard reception to set-up a first and goal from the 4-yard line.  The very next play was O'Keefe's first collegiate touchdown pass as Thornton rose over the top of the defender to snag the pass in the right corner of the end zone.  Norwich had closed the gap to 14 points and recaptured the momentum.

The Cadets caught the Eagles with a surprise onside kick which was executed perfectly.  Senior Zach Buchy squib kicked the ball past the Eagle's front line and allowed the speedy Norwich cover team to out race the rest of the Husson return team to the ball on the sideline.  Unfortunately, the Cadets were not able to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs.  The Eagle ran out the last 6:30 on the clock to secure the win. 

Defensively, Simon Taraska (Willowick, OH) led the team with 13 total tackles.  Imari Milton (Miramar, FL) was a force in the middle of the field and netted 7 total tackles, a pair of tackles for loss, a sack, and had to switch jerseys after his original jersey was torn while he fought off two blockers.  Chase, although garnering extra attention from the defense all day, still led the offense with 8 receptions for 91 yards.  Hackney led the team on the ground with 8 carries for 20 yards. 

The Cadets have a quicker than normal turnaround as they travel to battle St. Lawrence University for the Hoffman Cup at 7:00 pm on Friday, September 8.