Friday night was a historic evening for the Endicott College football program.
Hosting the nation’s No. 5 team in the Division 3 national polls, Hardin-Simmons of Texas, at Hempstead Stadium, the Gulls dominated from wire-to-wire in a 37-10 thumping. It was their first-ever triumph over a nationally ranked opponent.
Now 3-1 on the season, Endicott forced four turnovers defensively, including three interceptions, and consistently got off the field on third down by holding the visitors 6-for-17 success rate.
Defensive back Zachariah Twardosky led the defense with 10 tackles (8 solo), including a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Teammates Michael LeFebre (who also had a QB sack), Colin Campbell and Cory Monteiro had the interceptions for the Gulls, who held Hardin-Simmons (now 2-1) to a season low in points scored and yards from scrimmage (269).
Offensively, senior Clayton Marengi of Lynnfield threw a pair of TD passes for Endicott, finishing the evening 8-for-14 through the air for 124 yards. Fellow senior captain Shane Aylward had a big day at receiver with 111 yards and touchdown grabs of 12 and 51 yards in the second quarter; he also completed his first career pass, a 28-yarder to fellow wideout Adam Goodfellow.
Endicott poured on 20 points in the third quarter, with Anthony Caggianelli and Yavier Cosme-Diaz (79 yards, 2 TDs) finding the end zone. Ryan Smith added a 28-yard field goal for the victors.
The Gulls, who had a near identical split between their passing (152) and rushing (151) yardage, will look to ride the momentum of this historic win when they play at Hilbert (0-3) in Hamburg, NY Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
After a bye week, Endicott’s next home game at Hempstead Stadium will take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 vs. Western New England at noon; that contest will also serve as Homecoming for the Gulls.