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Tyler Villalta carries the ball in game action
Jim Stankiewicz
13
Saint Anselm STA 0-8 , 0-5
31
Winner American Int'l AIC 4-5 , 2-3
Saint Anselm STA
0-8 , 0-5
13
Final
31
American Int'l AIC
4-5 , 2-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
STA Saint Anselm 0 6 7 0 13
AIC American Int'l 14 10 7 0 31

Game Recap: Football |

Football Falls to American International, 31-13

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Saint Anselm College football team fell to American International College by a final score of 31-13 in Northeast 10 Conference play on Saturday afternoon at Ronald J. Abdow Field.

Highlights

  • Sophomore Tyler Villalta rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown on nine carries while adding 66 yards on five kickoff returns for 107 all-purpose yards.
  • Junior Ayden Jones led the Hawks with 68 rushing yards on 11 carries, including a long of 21 yards.
  • Senior Kyle Verriest completed one of two passes for 20 yards and a touchdown, the first passing touchdown of his career, connecting with junior Ben Tilton for a 20-yard score, the first touchdown of his career. Verriest also rushed for 55 yards.
  • Junior Gus O'Gara recorded a team-best 29 receiving yards on one catch.
  • Sophomore Gavin Fucile paced the Hawks with six total tackles, including four solo stops, and one quarterback hurry.
  • Sophomore James Pepper Jr. added five tackles and a quarterback hurry.
  • Senior Jon Hosney recorded four tackles and a pass breakup
  • Junior Jason Paganis also had four tackles.
  • Senior James Lundy recorded the first interception of his career.
  • Senior Michael Guarnieri handled the kicking duties, converting his lone extra-point attempt following the Hawks' third-quarter touchdown.
  • Freshman James Warren averaged 30.7 yards on six punts, with a long of 39 yards.
  • Villalta contributed 66 kickoff return yards on five attempts, averaging 13.2 yards per return.

How it Happened

American International opened the scoring with a pair of first-quarter passing touchdowns, taking a 14-0 lead with 7:35 remaining in the period.

Saint Anselm responded with a 12-play, 61-yard drive in the second quarter. Villalta capped the possession with a two-yard rushing touchdown at the 8:58 mark, cutting the deficit to 14-6. The Hawks were unable to convert the point after.

AIC added a 31-yard field goal before scoring on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds remaining in the half to take a 24-6 lead into the break.

The Hawks opened the second half with a three-and-out, but the defense forced an AIC punt on the ensuing possession. Saint Anselm took over at its own 12-yard line and put together an eight-play, 88-yard scoring drive. Verriest rushed for 21 yards, and Villalta broke free for a 45-yard gain to set up the Hawks in the red zone. Verriest then connected with Tilton for a 20-yard touchdown at the 4:23 mark. Michael Guarnieri added the extra point to make it 24-13.

American International answered with a 54-yard rushing touchdown on its next possession, restoring its 18-point advantage at 31-13.

Saint Anselm moved the ball in the fourth quarter, including a 12-yard run by Warren on fourth-and-six to extend a drive. The Hawks could not close the gap, however, as neither team scored in the final period.

Up Next

Saint Anselm (0-8, 0-5 NE10) returns to Grappone Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, hosting Post University (0-8, 0-5 NE10) for Homecoming and Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.


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