Box Score Springfield, Mass. - September 19, 2015 - The Springfield College football team rushed for 396 yards and scored 24 unanswered points in the first half as it eased past Mount Ida, 38-10, on Saturday afternoon in the Pride's non-conference finale.
Springfield improves to 2-1 on the year, while Mount Ida remains winless at 0-3
In his first career start under center, Jake Eglintine (Gansevoort, N.Y.) accounted for three first-half scores, including two rushing touchdowns. The sophomore rushed for 92 yards on 13 carries and went 2-for-6 for 32 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown toss. Keith Rodman (Northvale, N.J.) also ran for 92 yards in the contest, while five other rushers had at least 37 yards on the ground. Springfield's offense finished the day with 428 yards of offense, averaging just under seven yards per play.
Max Nacewicz (Sandy Hook, Conn.) and Christian Zotti (Newington, Conn.) each had six stops for the Pride defense. Springfield's defense forced three Mustang turnovers on the day and held the hosts to 239 yards of total offense, including just 104 on the ground.
The Mustangs took a 3-0 lead on a 23-yard field goal by Tyler Rogers (Bridgewater, Mass.), but then gave up 24 straight points and went into halftime trailing the Pride 24-3. Eglintine responded with the Pride's first score at 4:53 of the first quarter when he hit Steve Comee (Agawam, Mass.) across the middle for a 27-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage of Springfield's third offensive series.
Eglintine scored his first rushing touchdown at 12:43 of the second quarter when he rushed for one yard after the Pride were set up in good scoring position by a 24 yard scamper from sophomore Jonny Bianchi (Pittsfield, Mass.).
Four minutes later, it was Eglintine rushing three straight times, for three, eight and then 29 yards, as he broke a big run down the right sideline and into the end zone.
Mount Ida took the ball into the Springfield end of the field late in the second quarter, but Jack Sheehan's pass was intercepted by junior Michael Barbuto (New Rochelle, N.Y.).
Freshman
Blake Heller (North Bellmore, N.Y.), who was 5-5 on extra points, added a 31 yard field goal at the final horn of the first half to send the visitors to the locker room with a 24-3 advantage.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but Mount Ida sruke just 41 seconds into the fourth on a five-yard touchdown reception by Nick Hewitt.
The hosts momentum was short-lived, however, as Springfield took just 40 seconds and two plays from scrimmage to return the favor. Rodman broke off a run for 59 yards to put the Pride at the Mount Ida 9 on the first play after the kickoff, and Bianchi rumbled in the final nine yards on the next play.
Springfield capped their scoring at 3:36 left to play when
Zach Dubiel (Standish, Maine) rushed from three yards out after
Vin Nardini (Brewster, N.Y.) had recovered a fumble at the Mount Ida twenty yard line.
Springfield will begin Liberty League play next Saturday when it travels west to square off with Rochester at 12:00 pm.
