MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College football team suffered a 28-14 defeat to Bentley University in the Hawks' Northeast 10 Conference finale on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to the contest, the Hawks honored its 41 graduating student-athletes for their accomplishments over the past four to five seasons.

Highlights

• Sophomore Jake Croce recorded a combined 81 yards, with 49 receiving yards and one rushing touchdown.
• Freshman wide receiver Domingo Meade racked up 74 yards on three catches, including a 26-yard touchdown hookup with junior quarterback Drew Forkner.
• Meade is averaging 20.86 yards per catch as a freshman, tallying 14 receptions for 292 yards.
• Fifth year senior Thomas Hoffman posted one forced fumble, which was recovered by Saint Anselm, and one interception with a 14-yard return.
• Senior Aidan Noke posted 10 tackles, four solo, with five quarterback hurries. Noke now has 23 hurries across a four-season career on the Hilltop, passing Casey Larson '08 for third all-time.
• Sophomore Jason Paganis notched nine total tackles, with five solo takedowns and one tackle for loss to his credit.
• Fifth year Dev Lee registered a team-high three pass breakups, just one short of a team record.
• Senior Thomas Murray punted five times, with a long of 45 yards.
• Senior Sean Hurley and junior Michael Guarnieri each knocked down their one PAT.
• Saint Anselm set the single-season program record for quarterback hurries with 74 to date.

How it Happened

Bentley scored on its opening drive, which consisted of six plays and 88 yards of offense, with Isaiah Decias scoring on a 58-yard touchdown reception just 6:48 into the first quarter.

Saint Anselm tied the game at seven on the ensuing drive as the Hawks scored on a fourth down play with freshman Domingo Meade hauling in a pass from junior Drew Forkner and barreling into the endzone for a 26-yard score.

The Falcons' first drive of the second quarter came up empty as Ben Mitchell's field goal try from 29 yards out missed wide right, keeping the score level.

Neither side was able to secure a lead before halftime, with Bentley taking a kneeldown following a Saint Anselm punt, sending both teams to the locker room with the score remaining 7-7. 

Early in the second half, after Bentley got down to the Saint Anselm five yard line, senior fifth year Thomas Hoffman gave the Hawks their first takeaway of the outing with a forced fumble, recovered by freshman Kaeden Reyes thanks to a successful coaches' challenge by the Hawks. Despite the change of possession, Saint Anselm was unable to capitalize.

With the Saint Anselm offense driving down the field early in the fourth quarter, Bentley recorded its first turnover with a redzone interception coming from Mike DiPlacido.

Under a minute later, Hoffman picked off a pass and returned it 14 yards to the Bentley eight yard line, setting up Saint Anselm's offense back in the red zone. This time, the Hawks converted as sophomore Jake Croce rumbled for the rushing score, giving Saint Anselm its first lead of the game, 14-7, with 11:20 left in the third quarter.

After forcing a three-and-out, Bentley's punter Mat Richardson booted a punt down to the four yard line, and after a Saint Anselm holding penalty, the Hawks found themselves pinned just two yards from their goal line.

Christia Zamor of Bentley forced a fumble on the second play of the drive, and ran it in for the six-yard touchdown, tying the score at 14-all.

Saint Anselm would go three-and-out on its next drive, setting up a six-play, 55-yard scoring drive for the Falcons, who got in the endzone on a 35-yard passing touchdown from Luke Warnock to Decias, taking a 21-14 advantage.

On the next drive, Bentley secured an interception in Saint Anselm territory, with Henry Schouten returning it to the Saint Anselm 25 yard line, setting up the Falcons' third consecutive touchdown. Joshua Compoh rushed in from eight yards out to make it 28-14.

The Hawks got the ball back with 2:05 remaining in regulation and were unable to score.

Up Next

The Hawks (5-4, 4-3 NE10) will head to Post University (3-5, 1-5 NE10) for their season finale, which will be a non-conference contest, on Saturday, Nov. 8. Saint Anselm faced off against the Eagles in Danbury back on Oct. 4, earning a 30-23 NE10 victory. Kickoff time from Municipal Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.