Merchant Marine defeats Coast Guard
USMMA's Michael Mitchell is wrapped up by Coast Guard Academy's (l-r) John Manganiello and Dante Adams close in during the annual Secretaries Cup game held at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. (Sept. 10, 2011) Credit: Lee S. Weissman
It was a big day that started and ended well for the Merchant Marine Academy football program.
Stephen Sasso found Chase Dunn for a 32-yard touchdown pass with eight seconds left to lift host USMMA to a 35-28 win over rival Coast Guard in front of 2,500 Saturday at Tomb Field.
It was the third touchdown catch of the day for Dunn.
The game started with a moving pregame ceremony to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. Regiments from both institutions marched onto the field, one after the other, and the marching was followed by a moment of silence.
USMMA, which dropped its opener to Johns Hopkins last week, overcame deficits of 14-0 and 21-0.
"It's huge. Obviously, down 14-0, and even down at the half, getting into the fourth quarter and being down, it just shows the resiliency," USMMA coach Mike Toop said.
"Even their kids. We take the lead with a couple of minutes left and it's third-and-20 and they convert and they tie. You expect that from these types of kids. I expect it. Our kids are never going to give up, and they showed it today."
Jon-Paul Gosselin carried 32 times for 210 yards, Sasso completed 5 of 10 passes for 196 yards and three TDs, and J.P. Bourquin hit field goals of 22 and 38 yards for USMMA, which was presented with the Secretaries Cup after the game.
The Mariners lost, 10-8, to Coast Guard last year. USMMA leads the series between the academies 27-13.
Said Toop: "It was a typical game between these two institutions, where it usually comes down to the last minute, and it did today."
