Manchester, N.H. (September 13, 2003)- American International used a trio of big plays as the Yellow Jackets upended Saint Anselm College by a score of 28-10 in a Northeast-10 Conference football game at Grappone Stadium Saturday.

In the first half, AIC (1-0, 1-0 NE-10) used scoring plays of 69, 47, and 45 yards to jump out to a 21-7 halftime edge over Saint Anselm, (0-2, 0-2 NE-10). After that, the defenses settled in with the Yellow Jackets holding on for their third straight victory over the Hawks.

The AIC defensive front overpowered Saint Anselm all afternoon, allowing just 2.5 yards per play with 182 yards of offense, and holding the Hawks to 2-of-17 third down conversions. In the first quarter, AIC's Tom Guy (Waldwick, N.J.) started the fireworks on a 3^rd-and-four play with a 69-yard scoring strike to Dave Guzman (Holyoke, Mass.) to put the visitors on top, 7-0.

After recovering a fumble on AIC's 44 yard line six minutes later, Saint Anselm answered with a 10-yard scoring run from Derek DiMartino (Amherst, N.H./ UMass Amherst), who bowled over three AIC defenders to find the end zone.

Merlon Beckles (Brooklyn, N.Y.) then put the Jackets on top for good with a 47-yard scamper at the 9:36 mark of the second quarter, capping off a 5-play, 70-yard drive. Then, with just 29 ticks remaining in the opening half, Guy and Guzman hooked up again, this time for a 45-yard score in a 3^rd-and-17 yards to go situation.

Saint Anselm cut the lead to 21-10 with 10:17 to play in the third quarter on a 28-yard field goal from Michael Garcarz (New Britain, Conn./ New Britain) but AIC's Beckles eventually scored again with a 6-yard run at the 12:40 mark of the fourth the seal the win.    

Guy finished with an efficient 13-for-19 day with 223 yards, two touchdowns and one interception to his record. Beckles ran 18 times for 122 yards, and Guzman pulled in six catches for 137 yards and two scores. The AIC defense was led by Henry Rafferty (Wheatley Heights, N.Y.), who recorded 11 total tackles, one interception, and one sack, while kicking all four extra points. 

With the big scoring plays aside, the Hawk defense allowed just 169 yards on 49 plays. The Hawks also recorded five sacks with James Ward (Warwick, R.I./ Warwick) pulling in 2.0 of his own on a seven-tackle day.

The Hawk offense was paced by Kevin Ridgley (Amesbury, Mass./ Amesbury), who ran nine times for 55 yards. Sophomore quarterback Shane Dinagen (Harrisville, R.I./ Burrillville) was held to just 12-of-29 passing for 94 yards and two interceptions.  

Saint Anselm will return to action next Saturday when the Hawks travel to Worcester, Mass. to take on Assumption College at 1:00 PM.