Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England scored on all six first-half possessions on its way to a 58-34 victory over Nichols College in a Conference of New England football game played in windy conditions Saturday afternoon (Nov. 1) at Blue Storm Stadium.

With their third consecutive triumph, the Nor'easters (7-1, 4-1 CNE) established a program record for wins in a season, eclipsing the previous total of six established during the 2023 campaign.

UNE set the tone right from the outset, racing for touchdowns on the first play of each of its first two possessions. After Nichols went three-and-out and had to punt on the game's first drive, Damien Jones scampered 68 yards to give the Nor'easters the lead less than a minute into the contest (Watch). The rushing touchdown was his longest of the year, pushing his total to eight for the season.

Making his first collegiate start, rookie quarterback Gavin Martin extended UNE's lead the next time the hosts had the ball. Martin ran right and took it to the house for a 53-yard TD (Watch). Martin, who only saw first-half action, would end the day with 168 yards on the ground and three scores.

UNE extended the lead late in the first quarter when Javin Willis scored from one yard out (Watch). Anthony Lacaprucia's third consecutive PAT made the cushion 21-0.

The barrage continued early in the second frame, as Martin rushed to the end zone from 10 yards. The Nor'easters built their 28-0 lead in only 3:16 of time of possession.

After a Aiden Brailsford one-yard rush capped a 12-play drive and got Nichols on the board, Martin ran 20 yards for his third TD of the half to give UNE a 35-6 advantage. Ian Snow found Jack Morvan for a 65-yard scoring strike before Lacaprucia converted a 38-yard field goal attempt to give the Nor'easters a commanding 38-12 advantage heading into the locker room.

Nathan Delgado had a third-quarter rushing touchdown (Watch), and first-year quarterback Dante Howard came off the bench to account for two touchdowns in the third -- one on the ground (Watch) and one through the air. Classmate Jacob Armstrong was the recipient of Howard's passing TD (Watch).

Morvan, Carson Clark and JT Bresnahan each scored in the second half for Nichols (2-6, 2-3). Snow had a strong day for the Bison, completing 29 of 44 attempts to finish with 381 yards and three touchdowns.

UNE racked up 444 net yards on the ground, with 11 different ball carriers listed on the stat sheet. Jones had just two carries but was second on the squad with 94 yards. Howard finished with 82 yards on 10 attempts.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Nor'easters were paced by Ben Cardoso, who had five solo tackles. Spencer Sherck finished with five total stops, while Jeremy Franzini, Tyron Gomes and Spencer LaBrecque added four apiece. Nate Howe registered a pair of sacks.

Now 5-2 all-time versus Nichols after dropping the first two meetings, the Nor'easters will travel to Milton, Mass. next Saturday for huge clash with Curry College. The Colonels (7-1, 5-0) have won six straight and are tied for first atop the CNE standings.