FOOTBALL

Box Score 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Freshman QB Kris Sabourin rack up a game-high 110 yards on the ground to lead the Norwich University football team past Gallaudet University, 14-7, in an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) contest Saturday afternoon on a cool and blustery day at Hotchkiss Field.

Andrew Fulford added 78 yards on 19 carries for the Cadets (3-3, 3-0 ECFC). Norwich opened the scoring on its very first drive, marching the ball 48 yards down the field following a long opening kickoff return by freshman WR Brandon Rudd.  Fulford finished the drive, running it in from three yards out to give NU a 7-0 lead.

Gallaudet (3-3, 2-2 ECFC) answered right back with a touchdown drive following a big kickoff return of its own. The Bison kept the ball on the ground, using their triple option attack to confuse the Norwich defense and move it down the field. Philips Hayes ran it in for a touchdown at 7:52 of the first quarter to tie the score at 7-7.

Both defenses settled down after the opening scores and made it difficult for the offenses to sustain drives. The Norwich defense adjusted to the Gallaudet offense and was able to slow them down.

The Cadets had a golden opportunity to add to their score when junior LB Rocco DiMeco pounced on a loose ball at the Gallaudet 41-yard line following a fumble caused by junior DL Chris Roberto.  Norwich failed to capitalize, however, fumbling it right back on the next play. 

The Bison used that momentum to drive all the way down to the Norwich 22-yard line, where Justin Wilson missed a 35-yard field goal attempt with 2:32 remaining in the half.

Gallaudet had a strong drive to open the second half, again running the option efficiently. Wilson missed a 32-yard field goal, pushing it just wide, and the score remained tied at 7-7.

Norwich freshman RB Orwin Etkins put the Cadets up 14-7 when he ran it in from one yard out. A pair of long runs by Saborin keyed the 54-yard drive.

The Norwich defense held the lead, and the Cadets were able to secure the key conference victory. The win keeps NU in sole possession of first place in the ECFC standings.

Norwich will continue its ECFC schedule on Saturday, Oct. 17, when the Cadets travel to Bangor, Maine, to battle league rival Husson College. Kickoff for the crucial conference showdown is set for 1 p.m.