Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Brian Peters threw for a career-best 354 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the University of New England football team to a 31-21 victory over Castleton at UNE Blue Storm Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Nor'easters were able to keep the Spartans off the board in the first quarter. Kevin Heintz kicked a 23-yard field goal on the opening drive to give UNE and early lead. After a punt downed on their own one-yard line, Peters connected with Cobey Johnson for 89 yards on a key third-down play to set UNE up deep in Castleton territory. The play was the longest from scrimmage in the two-year history of the program. [Watch]
 
A touchdown run by Jack Mahoney was called back for holding on the next play, but Peters found Mahoney from 16-yards out to extend the lead to 10-0 after a quarter.
 
The Spartan rushing game was a force all day as they totaled 233 yards and three scores on the ground. Devin Wollner led the way with 141 yards and a score, including a rush from a yard out to open the second quarter.
 
UNE found itself on the Castleton 31-yard line after a muffed punt by the visitors with 9:02 remaining until halftime. Haelin Roberts hauled in a 28-yard pass to put the Nor'easters close, but the Spartan defense held strong and UNE was stopped on a fourth-and-goal from the one.
 
Peters was 4-of-5 for 85 yards capped by a 34-yard touchdown by Johnson as UNE rolled down the field in 58 seconds to extend its lead to 17-7 with a minute left in the half. Castleton set themselves up with a 21-yard field goal in the closing seconds but Nick Lombard broke from the corner to block the kick as the half expired. [Watch]
 
The Castleton ground game stormed down the field to begin the third and Simon Davis Jr. ran in from five-yards out to narrow the deficit to 17-14. After a three-and-out by the Nor'easters, pressure on Spartan quarterback Jacob McCarthy led to a diving interception by Lombard on the visitor's 19. Three plays later, Peters connected with Mahoney once again to make the score 24-14.
 
Castleton misplayed the ensuing kickoff and UNE took over the visitor's 19 again. After pass interference penalty in the end zone. Devon Charles gave the Nor'easters their largest lead of the day at 31-14 with a one-yard score with 3:35 left in the third. DJ James stalled the next Spartan drive with an interception deep in UNE territory.
 
Back-to-back fumbles midway the fourth put Castleton at the UNE 15-yard line. A penalty and a two-yard rush by Matthew Hesford closed the gap to 31-21 late.
 
Mahoney led the UNE ground attack with 74 yards and also added two catches for 40 yards and two scores through the air. Johnson (4 catches, 141 yards) and Ryan Gaboury (6 catches, 108 yards) led the receiving squad.
 
Joe Kucky had eight tackles (three solo) for the Nor'easters. Nick Scarfo, Will Peters, and Alex Morganti each recorded a sack. DJ James added seven tackles (five solo) and a pick.
 
McCarthy threw for 183 yards and two interceptions for the Spartans. Davis Jr. added 83 yards on the ground and a score. Nine different Castleton receivers caught a pass, led by Anthony Martinez with two for 43 yards.
 
Seth Gewanter had 11 stops (seven solo) and Ethan Palazzetti added nine tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception for the Spartans.
 
UNE opens Commonwealth Coast Football play next Saturday (Sept. 28) against defending champion Western New England. Kickoff at Blue Storm Stadium is set for 1 p.m.