United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Football - Shackleford FG Gives Bears Win at Westfield State

WESTFIELD, MASS.--(9/27/08)--Freshman Jacob Shackleford kicked a 32-yard field goal, his first collegiate field goal attempt, with 16 seconds remaining to lift Coast Guard Academy to a 16-13 victory over Westfield State in the New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division opener for both team.

Coast Guard (1-2, 1-0), the two-time defending NEFC Bogan Division champions, have a perfect 15-0 divisional record since joining the conference in 2006. Westfield is 2-2 and 0-1.

The game-winning drive began with 4:42 remaining after a Westfield drive (12 plays, 53 yards) stalled at the Coast Guard 32 on a fourth-down incomplete pass.

The big play on Coast Guard’s final drive came on 2 and 20 from its own 42 when running back Steve Arguelles picked up 36 yards on a beautifully executed screen pass. Three plays later, Shackleford delivered his big boot with the line of scrimmage at the 15.

Coast Guard took a 6-0 first quarter lead on a nine-play, 73-yard drive that was capped by four-yard touchdown scamper by quarterback Niles Pierson. The PAT failed.

The Bears took a 13-0 lead midway thru the second quarter on a 7-yard TD run by backup quarterback Jarrod Owens. The short TD drive was setup when Coast Guard’s Chris Costello returned an interception 18 yards to the Owl 24.

Westfield scored with 46 seconds remaining in the first half on a 3-yard touchdown reception by junior receiver David Benoit to cap a 13-play, 60-yard drive. Chris Stengel’s PAT conversion made the score 13-7.

The Owls tied the score midway thru the third period on a perfectly executed pump fake TD pass from quarterback Dan Cohen to C.J. Franklin (Natick) that covered 15 yards. The PAT was blocked by the Bears’ Troy Robison

Westfield outgained Coast Guard, 304-233, but the Owls committed four turnovers, including three interceptions. The Bears, meanwhile, only turned over the ball twice.

Cohen completed 23 of 37 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Benoit - who entered the game ranked first in NCAA Division III in receiving yards per game (170.3) - finished with 11 catches for 116 yards after a slow start.

Benoit’s first reception came with 2:56 remaining in the first half, and he had two catches at halftime.

Pierson completed 7 of 18 passes for 108 yards and also rushed for 17 net yards on 13 carries. Arguelles was the game’s leading grounder gainer, with 79 yards on 16 carries.

Coast Guard sophomore linebacker Kyle Ennis posted a game-high 12 tackles. Senior linebacker Jay Fielding led the Owls with 10 tackles.