Saint Anselm College

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College football team earned its first victory of the 2026 season on Saturday, holding off Post University, 26-25, in a thrilling Homecoming Weekend matchup at Grappone Stadium.

The Hawks celebrated 21 graduating seniors prior to kickoff before delivering a one-point victory in front of its Homecoming Weekend crowd.

Highlights

• Sophomore Anthony Phillipo hauled in three receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard score in the first quarter.
• Junior Nick Caro completed 14 of 27 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
• Senior Anthony Almeida paced the Hawks on the ground with 95 rushing yards on 17 carries.
• Sophomore Evan Dunker added a rushing touchdown, while Michael Guarnieri connected on a 36-yard field goal and three extra points.
• Sophomore James Pepper Jr. led the defensive effort with 12 total tackles, including two sacks for four yards, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
• Fifth-year senior Adin Newhouse recorded four tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss totaling 13 yards, and added a pass breakup.
• Sophomore Gavin Fucile added six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Cristian Luciano recorded four tackles and a half-tackle for loss.
• Sophomore Michael Scotti recovered a fumble and blocked Post's potential game-tying extra point in the closing seconds.
• Saint Anselm held a 33:27-26:33 advantage in time of possession and finished with 17 first downs.
• The Hawks converted six of 15 third-down opportunities and were a perfect 1-for-1 on fourth down.
• Saint Anselm outgained Post, 383-327, and surrendered just 59 passing yards.
• The Hawks committed just two penalties for 13 yards.
• In the all-time series against the Eagles that began in the 2022 campaign, Saint Anselm holds a commanding 5-1 lead following tonight's victory.

How it Happened

Saint Anselm opened the scoring with a 36-yard field goal from Guarnieri, capping a 15-play, 57-yard opening possession to give the Hawks a 3-0 advantage with 7:17 remaining in the first quarter.

Following a Post punt, the Hawks needed just two plays to find the end zone. After an eight-yard run by Dunker, Caro connected with Phillipo for a 71-yard touchdown reception. Guarnieri added the extra point to extend the lead to 10-0.

Saint Anselm continued to build its advantage early in the second quarter, putting together a nine-play, 69-yard drive. Dunker capped the possession with a five-yard rushing touchdown at the 14:14 mark, making it 17-0.

Post responded with a 29-yard field goal to get on the board before the Hawks put together another scoring drive. Caro found Phillipo for a 45-yard completion to set up the offense, and the duo connected again for a 30-yard touchdown with 1:47 remaining in the half. Guarnieri's extra point gave Saint Anselm a 24-3 lead.

Post answered with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 24-10 heading into halftime.

Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter. The Hawks' defense came up with a key stop on Post's opening possession of the second half, forcing a turnover on downs at the Saint Anselm 29-yard line. Later in the period, Scotti recovered a Post fumble at the Post 49-yard line to halt another drive.

Post opened the fourth quarter with an 81-yard scoring possession, capped by a one-yard rushing touchdown to make it 24-17.

The Hawks responded with a critical defensive stand on the ensuing possession. After forcing Post into a fourth-and-18 situation at its own 20-yard line, Saint Anselm's defense recorded a safety with 9:33 remaining in the contest, extending the lead to 26-17.

Post answered with a safety of its own at the 7:01 mark, trimming the Saint Anselm advantage to 26-19. The visitors threatened again on their next possession, reaching the Hawks' eight-yard line, but the Saint Anselm defense held firm. Pepper Jr. hurried the Post quarterback into an incomplete pass on fourth down to force a turnover on downs.

Saint Anselm took over at its own eight-yard line with just over three minutes remaining. The Hawks moved the ball to the 16 before punting, giving Post another opportunity with 1:59 on the clock.

The visitors moved down the field and connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 1:05 remaining. However, Scotti blocked the ensuing extra-point attempt, and Pepper Jr. recovered the ball at the Saint Anselm seven-yard line to preserve the Hawks' one-point advantage.

Post attempted an onside kick, but Saint Anselm recovered at the Post 48-yard line. Caro and the Hawks offense ran out the remaining time, securing the 26-25 victory and the team's first win of the season.

Up Next

Saint Anselm (1-8, 1-5 NE10) closes out the 2026 regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14, traveling to Rindge, N.H., to face Franklin Pierce University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Sodexo Field.