NORTHFIELD, Vt.- After a brief road trip, the Norwich Football team returned home Saturday afternoon to face SUNY Maritime during the festivities of Parents & Family Weekend.

In the blink of an eye, the Privateers jumped ahead as they took the game's opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown. After the Cadets went three and out on the game's opening drive, Maritime would get advantageous field position and capitalize going ahead by two scores. When Norwich regained possession, they would cut the lead in half with an 11 play, 70-yard drive which was highlighted by a clutch 19-yard reception by Will Thornton (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) on a 4^th and 6 that placed them in the red zone. The conversion set up a Jehric Hackney (Jericho, Vt.) 12-yard run getting Norwich on the board late in the first quarter.

After a failed onside kick, the Privateers took over on the Norwich 46, and would cross the goal line again to open the second quarter to regain their two-possession lead and would add a field goal on their next drive. As the first half ended, Maritime would score again.

Both teams would find the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. On the Norwich side, backup quarterback Landon Beecher (Holliston, Mass.) would find Thornton for a 19-yard score. The Privateers would emerge victorious despite being outgained on offense, and the Cadets holding the edge in passing yards.

In the stat column, Aidan Sullivan (Eliot, Maine) completed 20 of 34 passes for 153 yards and Thornton would finish with seven catches for 70 yards plus the score. Defensively, Shayne Leddy (Spring Lake, N.J.) led the way with eight total tackles, Jeremy Henault (Goffstown, N.H.) and Garrett Mack (Lewiston, Maine) each had two pass breakups. Additionally, Maddox Reed (Spring Hill, Tenn.) finished the day with four total tackles and three sacks for a loss of 15 yards.

After a bye week, Norwich will continue New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play when they travel to Merchant Marine on Oct. 19 at 12 PM.