SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 20, 2021) – SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 20, 2021) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy football team defeated Western New England University, 63-35, on Saturday afternoon to capture the 2021 New England Bowl. It was the Mariners' third victory in a regional bowl game in the past five years.
 
The win set two Academy records, as the 63 points is the most ever scored by a USMMA team in a game and the victory was the Mariners' ninth of the season, which is the most in a single season in program history.
 
Senior Ian Blankenship (McRae, Ga.) added to his impressive resume for the Gagliardi Trophy, as he had his hand in seven touchdowns on the day – running in four and passing three. He finished with a game-high 137 rushing yards on 30 carries and was 4-for-11 passing for 150 yards with one interceptions.
 
Junior fullback Matthew Savard (Orlando, Fla.) had 101 rushing yards, while senior rushing backs Matt Strong (Pacific, Mo.) and Brian McGovern (Cranford, N.J.) both found the end zone after finishing with 92 and 60 yards, respectively. Strong also caught one pass, a 30-yard touchdown, and freshman Talsen Smith (Roseville, Calif.) hauled in three passes for 120 yards with two TDs. Freshman kicker Jackson Tinkis (Bossier City, La.) made all nine extra points that he attempted on the day.
 
Defensively, senior Joshua King (Haymarket, Va.) had a team-best 12 tackles and also broke up one pass, while fellow seniors Eric Davidson (Savannah, Ga.) and Ethan Brady (Palm Coast, Fla.) both had eight tackles apiece, with Davidson and junior C.J. Mustain (Oro Valley, Ariz.) both forcing one fumble each. Junior Xavier Coleman (San Ramon, Calif.) recorded two interceptions on the afternoon.
 
The Mariners amassed 579 yards of offense (429 rushing and 150 passing), while the Golden Bears had 412 yards (234 passing and 178 rushing).
 
For Western New England, freshman QB Conrad Swanson threw for 234 yards on 13-of-36 passing with three touchdowns and one interception. He also led the Golden Bears with 79 rushing yards with one TD. Freshman Ryan Carlson also found the end zone on the ground. Senior Steven Fedorchak caught six passes for 130 yards and had all three WNEU receiving touchdowns.
 
On defense, senior Erich Keutmann led all players in the game with 21 tackles, while classmate Josh Salem made 17 stops and forced one fumble. Senior Jerry Woodard had one interception in the affair.
 
Merchant Marine 17th-year head coach Mike Toop '77 finishes his career at Kings Point with 70 wins.
 
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