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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Official Athletics Website of the MIT Engineers
MIT
Varun Ravilla making a tackle
Aiden Shertzer
31
Winner Springfield SPR 2-2 , 1-0
7
MIT MIT 2-1 , 0-1
Winner
Springfield SPR
2-2 , 1-0
31
Final
7
MIT MIT
2-1 , 0-1
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
SPR Springfield 7 17 0 7 31
MIT MIT 0 7 0 0 7

Game Recap: Football |

Football Falls to Springfield in NEWMAC Opener, 31-7

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Visiting Springfield College used a 17-7 advantage in the second quarter to pull away for 31-7 victory over the MIT football team in the NEWMAC season opener for both teams on Saturday at Henry G. Steinbrenner '27 Stadium. 

The Pride ran the ball 60 times in the contest, but MIT's defense battled back throughout the game, forcing five Springfield fumbles, including three during a back-and-forth third quarter. MIT was unable to capitalize on the multiple Springfield turnovers, as the visitors also had a strong day on defense, limiting MIT to a season-low seven points while registering a fumble and two interceptions. 

THE BASICS:  

  • Score: Springfield 31, MIT 7 
  • Records: Springfield 2-2 Overall (1-0 NEWMAC), MIT 2-1 Overall (0-1 NEWMAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:   

  • Springfield's opening drive ended with a turnover deep in MIT territory, as Thomas Shoales forced the ball to the turf when bringing down Springfield quarterback TJ Welch on a run up the middle. The ball was recovered by Varun Ravilla at the MIT nine yard-line. 
  • MIT's opening drive also came up empty, as MIT picked up a first down with a run up the middle from quarterback Chase Harmon before having to punt when coming up short on the next set of downs. 
  • Springfield then capitalized, getting on the board first with a nine-play drive that Jayden Aziz capped with a two-yard touchdown run at 3:43. 
  • The Pride would move ahead 10-0 at the start of the second quarter on an Ian Wernik field goal after stretching its longest drive of the day into three points, moving 64 yards on 12 players from the end of the opening quarter into the second.  
  • Trailing 10-0, MIT got on the board on its next drive, as Harmon connected with Colin Vollmer for a 15-yard score on the right side of the end zone to make the score 10-7. However, the visitors quickly halted MIT's momentum on the ensuing kick-off, as Tyler Paladino returned the kick 94 yards for a touchdown that pushed Springfield ahead 17-7.  
  • MIT's next drive was undone by a penalty on first down, as Springfield got the ball back three plays later. The Pride took advantage, with Desmond Perezcastaneda racing to the pylon on third and one after MIT had kept Springfield out of the end zone on three straight plays inside the two yard-line.  
  • With Springfield leading 24-7 in the third quarter, MIT pressured the Pride into three fumbles but was unable to trim the deficit. The first Springfield drive of the second half ended in a fumble that was recovered by Parker McClain, but MIT turned the ball over on downs on the next drive.  
  • The next Springfield drive saw a fumble get scooped up by Lucky Deignan and returned 32 yards past midfield. MIT used the field position to move the ball to the Springfield ten-yard line but again came-up empty handed on downs, as Harmon's look to Vollmer in the end zone was broken up by Bryan Feliciano. 
  • MIT engineered another turnover on the first play of the next Springfield drive, as Wyatt Alford forced a fumble that was recovered by Ravilla at the Springfield 17. MIT took a shot at the end zone on the ensuing drive, but Harmon was intercepted over the middle by Nick Gonzalez. 
  • Despite the tumultuous third quarter, Springfield entered the fourth with the same 24-7 advantage it had at halftime. 
  • MIT had two more chances at the end zone in the fourth but turned the ball over on downs at the two-yard line on its first drive and Harmon was intercepted in the end zone after MIT forced its final turnover of the day when Shoales snagged a fumble at 8:36 of the fourth.  
  • The Pride would seal the game late in the fourth quarter with a James Green touchdown run capping a ten-play, 80-yard drive with 1:53 left in regulation. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:  

  • Ravilla finished with nine tackles and two fumble recoveries for MIT.  
  • Parker McClain was everywhere for the MIT defense, registering 16 total tackles and recovering a fumble.  
  • Andrew Pignataro added 12 tackles, including three solo tackles for the Engineers. 
  • MIT forced a fumble or a punt on every Springfield second half drive until the final Pride drive ended with a touchdown. 
  • Springfield only had one pass attempt in the contest, an incomplete pass by Welch intended for Dylan Powers in the first quarter. 
  • Vollmer now has four touchdown catches this season for MIT.
  • Both teams entered the game ranked in the first Grinold Chapter New England Division III Football Coaches Poll of the season. MIT was ranked No. 7 and Springfield was tied for No. 10. 
  • MIT is now 2-6 all-time against the Pride.

UP NEXT: 

  • MIT will travel to Kings Point, NY to take on Merchant Marine next Saturday, October 4 at 12:00 PM. 

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