GAME RECAP: Stonehill #DIGs Deep, Overcomes Maine 13-10

Last season, we got the NEC Play of the Year in Week 1 with Rob Carter Jr.’s incredible interception against Utah State. So in comparison, waiting until the 3rd week of the season is much later into the year.

On a 4th and 21 and down 6-10 with just under 2 minutes to go, Jack O’Connell rolled out to his right, feeling the pressure from behind him. He hung a rainbow of a pass out into the air and toward the end zone, where captain Brigham Dunphy was able to go up and get it- a come from behind score in the most improbable setting. The extra point was true, and Stonehill went up 13-10, with their standout defense prepared to make another stop- they’d done it all day, after all- to close out the game.

I don’t put too much stock into these, but ESPN gave Maine a 94% chance to win the game heading into that 4th and 21. It swung to an 84.1% chance as the ball landed in Dunphy’s arms. Those swings are always fun to see.

Maine was able to drive the ball just into Stonehill territory, but Mo Seide broke up a desperation 4th down pass before the Black Bears could get into field goal range, and the Skyhawks could kneel it out and earn their first victory of the season. They had opportunities to secure this same type of win in Week 1 against Sacred Heart- a team that just took down Long Island- and were unable to make that one extra play. On Saturday, that was exactly what Stonehill was able to do.

How big of a win is this one? According to our friends at the New England Football Journal, it was the biggest in Stonehill football history. We’ve got a different focus than them, obviously, and count their first win against Duquesne as a sign of who the Skyhawks could be, but the point is well taken- beating a CAA team on the road is no easy task, and it’s definitely high up on that list.

The statline for this one isn’t gaudy. It was a defensive struggle as you’d expect from the final score. Looking for those hidden numbers that can point to how a team came out on top- this is usually turnovers, points off of turnovers, what have you- the only one that really stands out to me is the 4th downs. Both teams attempted two, and while Maine came up 0 for 2, Stonehill was able to convert on both of their attempts- even that seemingly impossible 4th and 21.

We had become accustomed to seeing Jack O’Connell throw the ball around and get completions, but he had just 14 for 132 yards in this contest. His one touchdown- the only one scored by Stonehill on the game- was the aforementioned 4th and 21 beauty. That accounted for 34 of his yards and all but 9 of Brigham Dunphy’s receiving yards. On the ground, things weren’t much flashier for the Skyhawks offense. Zavion Woodard had 30 yards and Jarel Washington accounted for 28. O’Connell rushed for 29 yards, but these were negated by 4 sacks leading to a net of -1 for him.

Defensively, the Skyhawks continue to shine. Richard Mosley III has been in the right place at the right time so far this young season, with another fumble recovery- his second in 2 games. Aidan Horodnik had 1.5 sacks, and in a game where Charles Battaglia seemingly was avoided (4 tackles) the rest of the defense stepped up and the tackles were spread around (Mosley led with 8). Mo Seide had two pass breakups, including the 4th down to seal the win.

Stonehill will host Penn in Shovel Town for their next action, with the hope to take down a CAA opponent and an Ivy League opponent in consecutive weeeks.