MIT continues to prove it is rocket science
N.E. FOOTBALL
It really is rocket science at MIT.
Especially when it comes to football, that is.
The potent Engineers, ranked No. 1 in the Grinold Chapter of New England Div.3 Football poll, proved worthy of that designation Saturday with a 13-0 shutout over a tough U.S. Coast Guard Academy team.
The win moved MIT to 7-0 for just the second time in program history, which dates to 1881. The other time was 2014 when it finished 10-1, losing to Wesley in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
First-year MIT coach Brian Bubna, who has served as defensive coordinator and head recruiter with MIT, has adopted a “don’t break what’s working” motif.
“We don’t stand in their way. We have 75 MIT football players. They’re smart. They don’t need us to tell them what to do,” said Bubna, who was promoted when Chad Martinovich left after nine seasons to take the job of head coach at the University of Rochester. “I’ve been here since 2010 and we’re moving in the right direction. We have pretty good support from the administration, and it’s not just our team. All the teams are good.”
Against the Cadets, MIT used a 6-yard pass from senior quarterback Udgam Goyal to senior wideout Eddy Garcia-Montes and a 2-yard scoring run by junior running back Cole Baker. MIT converted on 12-of-19 third downs. For the record, Goyal and Baker major in computer science. Montes is specializing in mechanical engineering.
“I know everyone talks about the quarterback, but I really don’t think we have any statistical stars. The kids don’t seem hung up on who makes the play. All of the kids seem to enjoy their roles and they play for each other. I think on Saturday we had five different players carry the ball. It makes it fun to coach them,” said Bubna.
MIT puts its unblemished record and first-place position in the NEWMAC on the line when WPI (43) visits Steinbrenner Stadium on Saturday.
Isabella amazes all
The records are a tad sketchy, but the UMass pencil pushers believe senior wideout Andy Isabella is the program’s first receiver to have at least 10 catches and 150 receiving yards in three consecutive games dating to 1879.
Isabella had 12 grabs for 198 yards at Ohio, 13 for 191 against South Florida, and 10 for 174 against Coastal Carolina.
“He’s smart. We can move him around and he can play different positions in different personnel groupings. He’s a good player,” said UMass coach Mark Whipple.
Freshman runs wild
UMass-Dartmouth freshman Devante Greaves, who played for coach Dan Buron at BridgewaterRaynham, had a breakout game in a 41-27 win against Worcester State.
Running behind senior center Antonio Mitjans of Ashland and senior offensive guard Quinn Fallon of Somerset, Greaves gained 237 yards and scored four touchdowns . . . .
Bentley beat rival Stonehill, 38-10, as sophomore Tommy Wilson and junior Jordan Artope each had 100-yard rushing days with 104 and 100, respectively . . . .
The University of New England ran into a buzzsaw in its first season as a varsity program, falling 70-13, at Western New England as Arlington junior Alec Coleman accounted for six scores — four rushing (114 yards) and two passing (171). The Golden Bears amassed 616 yards of total offense and 32 first downs . . . .
Tufts (5-1) kept pace in the tight NESCAC race by knocking off Williams, 28-21, as junior linebacker Greg Holt had a gamehigh 13 tackles and forced a fumble leading to the game-winning touchdown. The winning score came on a pass from senior Dom Borelli to senior Jack Dolan of Wellesley . . . .
Colby sophomore Walter Thilley drilled a 34yard field goal with 13 seconds left to beat Hamilton, 23-21.