Despite 250+ from Quinn, Colonels Fall to Coast Guard
New London, CT - The Curry Football team fell to the Coast Guard Bears on Saturday by a final score of 34-24. Both teams are now 1-1 on the season.
After punting on the opening possession, the Colonels defense set the offense up, as freshman Kareem Chaplin II picked off a pass for his first career interception at the 11-yard line, putting the Colonels in perfect scoring position. After a holding penalty set them back a bit, Montie Quinn scored on a 13-yard run to put Curry up 7-0.
The defense wasn't done, as they forced another turnover on the next drive, this time a fumble forced by Clayton Corley, recovered by Eli Vasquez-Bastardo. However, the Colonels were unable to do anything with this turnover. The Bears would score a TD on their next possession, but were not able to convert the PAT, as Pete Jurovich III was able to get a hand on it to block it.
The Colonels would get the ball back, and wasted no time responding. They scored on a 40-yard catch-and-run by Wesley Williams to go up 14-6. But the Bears answered immediately with a 54-yard TD pass of their own, making it 14-13.
The Colonels would get a FG on the next drive, and then got another interception, this time by Lucas Leander. But just like the last turnover, the Colonels were unable to capitalize, and after a turnover on downs by Curry, the Bears scored on another long touchdown pass, going up 20-17 with just under two minutes in the half. The Colonels would look to respond, but for the second straight drive had their drive stall out at the Coast Guard 39-yard line, sending the game to half time.
The Bears got the ball first in the second half, and moved the ball to mid-field. The Curry defense stepped up again, as Leander got his second INT of the game, the fourth forced turnover for the Curry defense. But once again they were unable to do anything with it, as QB Anthony Santino threw an interception in the end zone.
Each of the next two scores were TDs by the home team, giving them the 34-17 lead with just under six minutes left in the game. The Colonels would get a 20-yard TD catch from Williams, but it was too little, too late, as they fell 34-24.
It was a frustrating result for the Colonels, as they won the turnover battle 4-1. But the difference in the game came down to the fourth down plays. The Bears converted on all four of their fourth down attempts, while the Colonels went one for four.
As has been the case for the past three plus seasons, it was the Montie Quinn show for the Colonels. The All-American running back ran for 253 yards, on 39 attempts. The 39 attempts was the most of his career, and just one off of the program record of 40 set by Zach Levy in 2018.
Anthony Santino went 15-30 on pass attempts, throwing for 137 yards. He threw the two touchdowns, and one interception.
Wesley Williams had a nice game, catching eight passes for 99 yards and the two touchdowns. But no other Colonel caught more than one pass.
Defensively, Leo Yardumian led the way with 10 tackles.
Up Next - The Colonels will have plenty of time to turn things around, as they next play two weeks from now when they host Dean on September 27th at 12pm.
