No. 15 Union downs Morrisville in season opener

Visiting SUNY Morrisville football scored in both the first and fourth quarters of play, but the no. 15 nationally ranked hosts Union College doubled—up the Mustangs as they collected a 4814 season opening win in Schenectady Saturday afternoon.

Host Union College opened the 2021 season with a score on their first possession and added another shortly after, setting the tone for the contest, as they collected a 48-14 win over visiting SUNY Morrisville Saturday afternoon in Schenectady. Morrisville, in their first contest since November 23, 2019, entered the contest with just nine starters returning to the lineup from that season, and under new guidance from head coach Ed Raby, Jr., facing a Union team that went undefeated their last time on the field.

Morrisville was able to gener

ate 304 yards total offense on day, 266 that came in their passing game as they completed 22-of-40 total passes through the air. In his collegiate debut, freshman quarterback Alek Britten went 19-for-35 for 230 yards and two touchdown scores.

Another three completions and 36 yards to the Mustang totals came from sophomore Steven Frerichs, Jarrell Chaney, and Quamel Jarvis served as main targets for Britten, with Chaney leading the receiving corp with five receptions for 72 total yards and a touchdown score.

Jarvis added three receptions for 55 yards on the day. Morrisville struggled on the ground, compiling a net total 38-yards, 20 of which was gained by newcomer Alex Mcburnie on three carries. Joe Millerlabar and Ernesto Mitchell each collected 11 total stops for the Mustangs defensive unit in their efforts on the day, while Giovanni Vigliotti added seven in the secondary.

Union put together a 484-yard total offense afternoon, 157 on the ground and 327 in their passing game, connecting on 22 of 27 attempts. Senior quarterback Will Bellamy went 20-for25 for 294 yards and four touchdowns, hitting leading wide out Andre Ross, Jr. nine times for a total 159 yards and two scores.

Ike Irabor added to the Dutchman offensive game, collecting 55 net yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Defensively Colin Lama, Cam Adams and Tommy Cavallo each collected seven tackles. On the opening drive of the contest, Union marched downfield and quickly put numbers on the scoreboard as Bellamy hit Robbie Tolbert in the right corner of the endzone for an early 7-0 lead.

Morrisville attempted a response, but was stopped short for a quick threeand-out before Union put together another scoring drive on the ensuing possession, capitalizing off the long ball to Davis that placed the mall on the Morrisville 10.

Within minutes Irabor made it 14-0 with a twoyard run up center with 8:28 to go in the opening quarter. Morrisville was able to get their offensive rhythm going on their following possession, as a shovel pass forward to Brandon Mapp powered his way 14-yards into Union territory setting up the 41-yard bomb to Chaney in the endzone and first Mustang score of 2021. Chaney went over the top of the defense to pull in the ball for the score.

The Mustang defensive unit made a great stop on Union’s offensive possession, forcing a punt, and sent the game into the second quarter trailing by a score. Union added to their totals early in the second quarter as Bellamy connected with Robbie Herrman on a 19-yard scoring pass play, extending their lead to 14 with 11:16 remaining.

The hosts added to their lead with another score midway through the frame, as Bellamy hit Ross and registered the 32-yard tally and 28-7 advantage. Morrisville was able to hold the hosts in the third until just under four remaining when the Dutchmen completed their 83-yard drive with a two-yard run, extending the lead to 34-7.

After a 16-yard scoring pass play from the hosts early on in the fourth, Union was threatening to add another but the Mustang defense forced a turnover as Savion Williams forced the ball loose and Philemon Benjamin recovered.

Morrisville capitalized on the following possession, taking to the air for most of the drive, but also adding 15 on the ground on the foot of Mcburnie. Britten hit Chaney for an 11-yard gain, and Cory Woodward for another 11, before backto-back carries by Mcburnie brought the ball down to the visitor 33.

Jarvis reined in the ball from Britten on the following play for a 24-yard gain, before Britten connected with Joey Chirurgi for the nine-yard scoring pass play. Union went on to add one final score to their totals on the day, collecting the nonconference win. Morrisville hits the road for their second of the young season Saturday, traveling to Hobart College for a 1 p.m. kick-off.