Football Wins Thriller Over USMMA, 56-48

KINGS POINT, N.Y. (September 7, 2019) – Senior Damarquis Price and sophomore Connor Perez each caught three touchdowns as the FDU football team topped the United States Merchant Marine Academy 56-48 Saturday afternoon. Junior Anthony Caserta broke the school record with seven touchdown passes, while senior Nick Maciejewski kicked a school-best eight extra points. After both sides failed to score on their opening drives, the Devils marched down the field in eight plays, going 88 yards. Caserta hooked up with Perez for a 13-yard completion on 3rd-and-10 early in the drive before the duo connected on a 23-yard touchdown to give the Devils a 7-0 lead. Merchant Marine answered back on their ensuing possession before FDU regained the lead. A six-play, 65-yard drive was finished off with a one-yard TD pass to Perez. The big play on the drive saw Caserta link up with Price for a 38-yard strike to set up 1st-and-goal on the one-yard line. FDU forced a fumble on the next USMMA drive, which was recovered by defensive linemen Dante DeSantis. Taking over in Mariner territory, it took three plays for Caserta and Perez to hook up for the third time in the quarter, this time from 42 yards out. The Devils defense came up big on the next series, as rookie Jafar Sannie popped the ball loose at the FDU 12 yard line. Senior Jose Caceres was able to fall on it and give the Devils the ball back. Opening the third quarter, Merchant Marine fumbled on their third play from scrimmage, and it was Caceres who notched his second recovery of the day. It took three plays for the Devils to score, with Price hauling his second TD reception of the afternoon. FDU forced a punt on the next series, before junior Rory Sullivan found himself on the receiving end of a Caserta touchdown, this time from 13 yards out. The Mariners answered right back, using just 1:45 to go 69 yards before a 48-yard rushing touchdown shrunk the Devils lead to 42-35. Caserta completed five passes on the next drive, culminating with a three-yard scoring play to Price. The senior receiver aided the drive by catching all three passes for 32 yards. A long kick return coupled with a penalty gave the Mariners excellent field position before a 33-yard rush once again brought the hosts within one score. The Mariners got to the Devils nine-yard line before sophomore Diony Dilone made a three-yard loss on 4th-and-three and forced a turnover on downs. The Mariners scored one final time with just three seconds left, but Sullivan fell on the onside kick to seal the Devils victory.