DANBURY, Conn. (Sept. 2, 2023) – Senior fullback Ceaser Gonzalez (Norco, Calif.) had a career day with 237 rushing yards and three touchdowns to lead the USMMA football team to a 52-35 road victory over Western Connecticut State in its season-opener on Saturday.
 
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It was actually the host Wolves who came out strong, as their offense and defense were both clicking early and they built up a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter.
 
The Mariners quickly turned the tide, responding with three quick scores on their next three possessions (helped out by a clutch fumble forced by the defense that was sandwiched in between the first two TDs). Those three scores were the start of 31-straight points for KP.
 
Sophomore quarterback Gervy Alota (San Diego, Calif.) connected with junior receiver Talsen Smith (Roseville, Calif.) on a 31-yard TD to put Merchant Marine on the board with just 22 seconds to go in the opening quarter. Then on WestConn's first play from scrimmage on its ensuing drive, senior Thomas Joyce (Taunton, Mass.) forced a fumble at the Wolves' 30 and brought it down to the nine yard-line with just three ticks left in the first.
 
On the first play of the second quarter, senior fullback Cole Simmons (Montrose, Colo.) ran in a four-yard TD and the Mariners tied it up at 14-14 after junior Jackson Tinkis' (Bossier City, La.) extra point. The USMMA defense forced the Wolves to punt right away after a three-and-out and Tinkis drilled a 29-yard field goal to give the Mariners a lead in just over five minutes of action after they were being shutout 14-0.
 
In their final drive of the second quarter, Simmons extended the KP lead to 24-14 with his second score of the day, rushing in a six-yard TD to cap off a 16-play, 78-yard drive.
 
Western Connecticut seemed to be gaining momentum in their last drive before the halftime horn, as the Wolves got into the red zone. On their last play of the half, they elected to try for a TD instead of going for three with a field goal, however junior Chad Hollar (Wilmington, N.C.) had a huge pass breakup in the end zone and the Mariners went into the half up 24-14.
 
Both teams scored on their opening possessions of the second half, with Gonzalez running in his first of the day on a 26-yard run (and the extra point by Tinkis was the Mariners' 31st-straight point) before WestConn answered with a 20-yard TD pass that made it 31-21.
 
After a punt by the Mariners on their next possession, junior Ryan Vannini (Moorpark, Calif.) picked off WestConn QB John Giller, giving USMMA the ball back at the Wolves' 30 yard-line. After a penalty backed Merchant Marine up, Gonzalez scattered free and ran it for a 39-yard score.
 
Just over two minutes later, Smith caught his second TD pass of the day, this time for 40 yards, to put the Mariners up 45-21 at the 4:13 mark of the third quarter.
 
WestConn answered right back with a one-yard rushing touchdown that closed out the scoring in the third.
 
Both teams scored a touchdown apiece in the final frame, with Gonzalez capping off an impressive 99-yard drive for the Mariners with a 13-yard TD at 4:16, followed by a 50-yard strike from Giller to the Wolves' Zach Soriano that closed out the scoring with just 2:40 to play.
 
Simmons finished with 145 rushing yards, while Smith caught the two TD passes and amassed 71 receiving yards. Alota was 2-for-7 with two TDs and also ran for 42 yards.
 
On defense, sophomore Caleb Green (Flower Mound, Texas) and junior Jack Temple (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) both had a team-high five tackles apiece. Temple and senior Teddy Brunger (Indialantic, Fla.) both recorded sacks and Brunger also broke up two passes.
 
For WestConn, Giller completed 21 passes on 33 attempts for 375 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. He also led the team in rushing with 35 yards. Julian Ferguson caught nine passes for 132 yards with two TDs. Deshaun Hardy led all defenders with 10 total tackles, Nosa Uzamere had nine stops including two for losses (and one sack).
 
The Mariners are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 9, when they host Gallaudet University at Brooks Stadium on Homecoming Weekend 2023. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Live links to follow along are posted on the USMMA Football Schedule Page.
 
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