Courtesy Norwich Sports Information
READING, Pa. – The Norwich University football team saw its 2015 season come to a close after suffering a heartbreaking loss to Albright College, 49-0, in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football tournament at Shirk Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore running back Quincy Williams (Brossard, Quebec) rushed for 107 yards on 24 attempts, while quarterback Philippe Bazinet (Otterburn Park, Quebec) made 9-of-24 passes for 116 yards for Norwich. Junior wide receiver Zach Allen (Boston, Mass.) caught for 54 yards on three receptions, as classmate Pierre Noel (Manchester, N.H.) caught two passes for 44 yards on the day.
The Cadets were forced to punt six times with Wesley Medeiros (Gilford, N.H.) averaging 27.7 yards per punt. Defensive back Eleazar Rausseo (town) recorded a team-best seven tackles with a fumble recovery. Defensive back Austin Roberts (East Bridgewater, Mass.) came up with five tackles as Joshua Johnson (Trophy Club, Texas) collected three tackles including a sack for five yards.
The Lions scored first in just seven minutes into the opening kickoff to get on the board for the 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Norwich attempted a 41 yard field goal on its first drive of the game but the Lions’ came up with a strong defensive block to keep the Cadets off the board. Albright would score two more passing touchdowns from quarterback Mike Knight, who threw for 259 passing yards (11-19) in the game, to close out the quarter with a 21-0 lead before picking up a pair of scores in the second quarter for the 35-0 lead at the half.
The Cadets looked to rebound in the second half, holding onto the ball for over 34 minutes, would produce 294 offensive yards to the Lions’ 544 in the game. Albright’s Knight would throw for two more touchdown, one in the third and fourth quarter, for the final score, 49-0. The Lions will advance into the second round and will face Mount Union College, who defeated St. Lawrence 55-23.
Norwich ends its season at 6-5 overall and has made seven straight postseason appearances, two in the NCAA tournament and five in the ECAC Bowl games.