Brown's Big Day Carries MIT Past Salve Regina, 34-19
Oct. 25, 2008
Courtesy Salve Regina Sports Information
NEWPORT, R.I. – Junior DeRon Brown, who entered Saturday’s tilt as the nation’s leading rusher, rushed for 248 yards and four touchdowns to lead MIT to a 34-19 win over Salve Regina University in New England Football Conference Boyd Division action at Toppa Field.
Senior Robert Utz also scored for the Engineers, who improved to 5-3 (3-2 NEFC) with the win. Sophomore Rob LaRiviere-Tougas piled up 156 yards rushing for the Seahawks, who lost their second-straight contest in falling to 3-4 (2-3 NEFC) on the season.
The Engineers defense – led by junior Steven Nunez's 13 tackles (10 solo) – held Salve Regina to 6-of-17 on third-downs and 4-of-9 on fourth downs. MIT also sacked Seahawk junior QB Jeff St. Onge three times, including two by freshman Jared Darby.
The Seahawks struck first, taking a 6-0 lead on a 12-yard scoring pass from St. Onge to classmate Ben Hall with 8:36 remaining in the first quarter. The scoring strike capped a 13-play, 46-yard drive.
The Engineers knotted the game at six just 39 seconds into the second half when Brown capped a 19-play, 60-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. After a quick three-and-out by the Seahawks, Brown scampered 68 yards for a touchdown to put MIT in front 13-6 with 11:26 remaining in the half.
LaRiviere-Tougas' team-high eighth rushing touchdown of the season – a 14-yard burst with 5:26 left in the half – tied the game at 13 with 5:26 on the clock. MIT closed the half with a 10-play, 58-yard drive that Utz polished off with a five-yard touchdown run that gave the Engineers a 20-13 halftime lead.
In the second half, Brown's third rushing touchdown of the afternoon – an 81-yard burst – put the Engineers in front by two touchdowns at 27-13 with 5:49 left in the third quarter. Less than two minutes later, St. Onge hooked up with junior Matt Shubert on a seven-yard touchdown pass that closed the gap to 27-19. The PAT following the score was blocked. On the ensuing drive, Brown capped a three-play, 46-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run, bringing his season total to 21 and putting a close to the scoring.
Following consecutive penalties to start the drive that left the Engineers facing a first-and-25 from their own 39-yard line, MIT junior signal-caller Rich Mancuso hooked up with junior Mike Fitzgerald for a 49-yard pass completion that put them on the Seahawk 12-yard line.
