United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Football - Bears Lose Secretaries' Cup in Season Opener

KINGS POINT, N.Y.--(9/13/08)--The United State Merchant Marine Academy football team brought the Secretaries’ Cup back to Kings Point with a 34-7 victory of the United States Coast Guard Academy on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore quarterback Derrick Ventre led the Mariners offensive attack. Sophomore linebacker Karl Heimbrock led the Mariners on the defensive side of the ball

USMMA improves to 1-1 overall while USCGA falls to 0-1 overall.

The Mariners leading rusher, J.J. Watson rushed for 72 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Derrick Ventre threw for 266 yards (15-for-26), a touchdown and two interceptions. Garrett Washington was the Mariners leading receiver with two catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Heimbrock recorded 7.5 tackles and an 85-yard interception returned for a touchdown. Thomas Othmer recorded 4.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Coast Guard senior quarterback hNiles Pierson led the Bears offensively with 166 passing yards and 31 rushing yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Junior Steve Arguelles, ran for 68 yards on 14 carries in his first start at running back. The Bears leading receiver was senior Sam England with nine catches for 86 yards. Defensively, sophomore Kyle Ennis led the Bears with seven tackles and the Bears only sack of the game.

The Mariners got on the board first in the second quarter when Heimbrock intercepted the Bears quarterback and returned it for an 85-yard touchdown. Coast Guard's Pat Bennett blocked the PAT to make the score 6-0, the only points of the first half.

USMMA went up 13-0 after a six play, 39-yard drive for a touchdown. Senior running back Davey May finished off the drive when he plowed his way into the end zone.

After a Bears punt, it only took the Mariners one play to score their third touchdown of the game and go up 20-0. Ventre was able to connect with Washington for a 36-yard touchdown pass and catch.

Once again the Mariners defense stepped up to the challenge to set their offence up in good field position. After an interception by Kevin Stapf the Mariners had the ball at the Coast Guard nine yard line. Two plays later, Watson was able to punch it into the end zone to put USMMA up 27-0 right before the fourth quarter.

The Bears finally got onto the board with 4:51 remaining in the game when Pierson rushed for a one-yard touchdown to cap off a 14 play, 90-yard drive.

The Mariners did not let up and finished strong, putting one more touchdown on the board. Freshman running back John-Leon Gosselin was able to run the ball in from a five-yard touchdown and his first career touchdown. The touchdown topped off a six play 37-yard drive.

USMMA held the overall advantage in total yards (418-300), passing yards (278-191) and rushing yards (140-109). The Mariners also led in the turnover department with two giveaways and three takeaways.