NORTHFIELD, Vt.- In the final game of their season opening homestand, the Norwich Football team played host to Husson Saturday afternoon during the ongoing festivities of Alumni Weekend on campus.

The early going was a defensive struggle, as both offenses struggled to move the ball. The Eagles would get advantageous field position, and move the ball into the red zone, but Jeremy Henault (Goffstown, N.H) would come up with an interception in the end zone on a fourth down to keep the game scoreless. Late in the frame, it appeared that Norwich had Husson pinned deep in their own end, however the Eagles would connect on a 73-yard catch and run on a third down for the game's opening score.

Husson followed that up by marching 67 yards on 12 plays, resulting in a second score while the Eagles defense kept the Cadet offense at bay. Soon after, they would put together another lengthy drive to go up by 21. After getting the ball back, on 2^nd and 12 from their own 26, Aidan Sullivan (Eliot, Maine) would find Connor McFarland (Manchester, N.H.) in stride down the right sideline for a 74-yard catch and run to get the Cadets on the board, bringing the deficit to two scores despite being massively outgained.

Early in the second half, after an Eagles field goal, Norwich would march 75 yards in 12 plays, highlighted by another big play from McFarland to bring them into the red zone, and punch it into the end zone on a three-yard run by Jehric Hackney (Jericho, Vt.) making it a ten point game. However, Husson would respond by taking the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to extend their advantage.

Another score by Husson extended their lead to 24 early in the fourth quarter. A 40-yard completion to Riley Geyer (Augusta, Maine) put the Cadets back in the red zone. On third down, Sullivan would hit Henri Bourque (Merrimack, N.H.) for a six-yard score, and hit the two-point conversion to close the gap. The Cadets would recover the ensuing onside kick but could not capitalize, eventually leading to Husson draining the rest of the clock.

In the second half, Norwich outgained the Eagles 282-95, 239 of which were through the air. Sullivan finished 23-25 for 292 yards with two touchdowns, highlighted by the 74-yard pass to McFarland. The first year finished with a game high eight receptions for 153 yards and the score. On the defensive side of the ball, Simon Taraska (Willowick, Ohio) led the way with eight total tackles, while Henault totaled seven in addition to the first quarter interception and a half tackle for loss.

Norwich will hit the road for the first time this season next week when they travel to WPI to open New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) competition at 12 PM on Sept 28.