COAST GUARD AT MIT
When: Today, noon Where: Steinbrenner Stadium, Cambridge, Mass.
Records: Coast Guard Academy 5-2 overall, 3-1 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference; MIT 6-0, 3-0.
Players to watch: Coast Guard, QB Ryan Jones (101-for-190, 1,213 yards, 4 TDs, 10 INT; 83 carries, 329 yards, 4 TDs), RB Chris Gardner (106 carries, 463 yards, 5 TDs), WR Justin Moffatt (49 catches, 644 yards, 1 TD), LB Jake Behne (59 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss), LB R.J. Robiskie (28 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks), DB Patrick Crowley (45 tackles, 1 INT), DB Mark Wicke (49 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss), DB Mike Goldsworthy (31 tackles, 3 INTs), P Chip Crowley (40.2 yards per kick), K Cole Austin (14-for-15 PATs, 11-for-14 FGs). MIT, QB Udgam Goyal (108-for-164, 1,319 yards, 14 TDs, 5 INTs; 46 carries, 175 yards), RB Miguel Wagner (148 carries, 471 yards, 5 TDs), WR Eddie Garcia-Montes (35 catches, 325 yards, 2 TDs), WR Keithen Shepard (27 catches, 410 yards, 4 TDS), DL AJ Iversen (34 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks), LB Andrew DeNucci (28 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss), DB Mitch Maisel (30 tackles, 2 INTs).
Analysis: The story for Coast Guard in last week's 15-0 victory over Maine Maritime was the defense; Goldsworthy had three interceptions for the Bears at cornerback and was named NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Week. “It's fun (to watch the defense) and it energized our side of the ball,” said Moffatt, Coast Guard's leading receiver. “We're thankful for how the defense is playing. It makes us want to play better on our side of the ball.” Moffatt, a sophomore, has contributed in a variety of ways. Not only is he a threat to catch whatever is thrown his way – he leads the league with 49 catches and 644 receiving yards – but also ran a sweep for a 42-yard touchdown to put last week's game away and has a 76-yard completion to his credit this year to fellow wide receiver Chip Crowley. “Whatever way I can spark the offense,” Moffatt said. “It's good to be multi-dimensional.” … The Bears meet the NEWMAC's remaining unbeaten team this week in MIT and could put themselves in position to win the league title with a victory. MIT, the No. 1 team in New England, is averaging 28.3 points and 353.3 yards per game (219.8 passing and 133.5 rushing). The Engineers defense has forced a NEWMAC-best 16 turnovers, with the defense allowing just 14.3 points and 255.3 yards per game. MIT has the top rushing defense in the league at 60.7 yards per game. “I think this game could be a league championship game,” Goldsworthy said of facing MIT. “If we win, we could easily have the mentality to win the rest of our games. It could be a big changing point in the year.” … MIT is coming off a bye. The Engineers defeated Maine Maritime 35-0 on Oct. 6. … MIT topped Coast Guard 30-21 last year. Goyal was 17-for-27 for 202 yards and a touchdown. Coast Guard rushed for 187 yards, led by Jones, the quarterback, with 14 carries for 59 yards and a score. The Bears trailed 23-21 with 1:27 remaining. … Coast Guard will be without offensive linemen Bill Boardman and Nick Szep this week. They will be replaced by sophomores Jordan Yriarte at left guard and Robert Childress at left tackle. … Coast Guard's three remaining opponents, MIT (6-0), WPI (4-2) and Merchant Marine (51) have a combined record of 15-3. The Bears are looking for their first winning season since going 5-4 in 2012. … Coast Guard has a bye next week before returning home to meet WPI on Nov. 3 in the final home game of the season.