Manchester, N.H. (November 6, 2004)— In a game that featured 13 combined turnovers, and a wild fourth quarter, American International College outlasted Saint Anselm by a score of 29-24 in a Northeast-10 Conference football game at Grappone Stadium Saturday.

Leading 29-24, AIC pinned the Hawks deep on a 50-yard punt and David Ihdeigbo (Amherst, Mass.) forced a fumble at the Hawks' 21-yardline with just over three minutes remaining to squelch a comeback attempt. The Hawks had scored 14 points late in the game to make thing very interesting but, in the end, could not overcome seven second half turnovers in falling on Senior Day for the first time school history (5-1).

With the win, AIC finishes its season at 5-4 both overall and in the NE-10. Saint Anselm finishes its season with a 4-6 record, 3-6 in the NE-10.

The two teams combined for just 92 yards in a 3-3 first half but poor special teams play from the Hawks, along with turnovers mistakes gave AIC a big cushion. The Hawks dominated play in the fourth quarter with a 127-to minus-2 yard advantage but it was too little too late.

A 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Henry Rafferty (Wheatley Heights , N.Y. ) midway through the third quarter, and a 41-yard interception return for a score by Micah Germany (Pittsburgh , Pa. ) provided second half points for the visitors. The Jackets also added to their lead with a nine-play, 46-yard drive capped by a five-yard scoring pass from Ian Richarson (Santa Barbara , Calif. ) to Bryan Simer (Liverpool , N.Y. ). 

The Hawks finally got into the endzone with 10:49 to play in the game on a two-yard plunge from Derek DiMartino (Amherst, N.H./ UMass Amherst) but the Yellow Jackets stuck a dagger to the host on the ensuing kickoff when Marlon Beckles (Brooklyn, N.Y.) returned the kickoff 99 yard for a school record touchdown return to give the visitors a 29-10 advantage. 

The Hawks came right back, however, as Ernie Ardonlino (Malden, Mass./ Malden) returned the ensuing AIC kickoff 51 yards, setting up a five-play 36-yard drive capped by a seven-yard run from DiMartino to make the score 29-17.

The Hawks then stopped AIC on three plays, and further benefited from a one-yard punt from the Jackets, taking over at the AIC 22-yardline. Shane Dinagen (Harrisville, R.I./ Burrillville) then found Michael Garcarz (New Britain, Conn./ New Britain) on a touchdown pass with the later making a highlight-reel catch to make the score 29-24.

Dinagen came on in relief at quarterback and guided the Hawks to three scores on 8-of-17 passing for 124 yards late in the fourth quarter. Garcarz had seven catches for 95 yards in the game while also booting a 40-yard field goal. Thomas Kelleher (Wakefield , Mass. / Wakefield ) recorded a game-high 13 tackles (six solo, 4.0 for a loss, one sack, one fumble recovery). Mark Wysocki (New Britain, COnn./ New Britain) also had a pair of interceptions on the afternoon. Brian Sundell (N. Easton , Mass. / Oliver Ames) had 11 tackles (two solo) with two big pass breakups, and set a single season record for tackles with 101.