Union, N.J. - September 8, 2018 - For the second-straight week, the Springfield College football team put up 42 points and handled host Kean University, 42-0, at Alumni Stadium on Saturday in non-conference play.

Springfield pushed its regular-season winning streak to 12 games dating back to last season as it improved to 2-0.  Playing in its season opener, the Cougars dropped to 0-1 as the Pride posted its first shutout of the season, and second in its last five games, as it previously blanked Maine Maritime, 62-0, on November 4 last year. 

The Pride's offense totaled 432 yards of total offense, including 418 on the ground.  Springfield produced 27 first downs compared to just 10 by Kean as the visitors held Kean to just 157 yards of total offense, averaging 3.0 yards per play, and 3-for-12 on third-down conversions.

Chad Shade (Pittsfield, Mass.) led an offense that had five players with at least 50 rushing yards as the junior quarterback totaled 116 rushing yards and a score.  Tim Callahan (Enfield, Conn.) found the end zone twice, while Nick Rajotte (North Attleboro, Mass.), Joshua Thomas (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), and Justin Przypek (Stamford, Conn.) each crossed the goal line once.  For the game, the Pride's offense averaged 6.5 yards per carry.

Defensively, Nick Giorgio (Cumberland, R.I.) was sensational on the defensive line and totaled 10 tackles, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack, a forced fumble, and pass break up.  In his return to the Garden State, AJ Smith (Rahway, N.J.) added nine tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss, while Jakai Whittingham (Meriden, Conn.) was impressive in his season debut, averaging over 41 yards on his three punt attempts. 

After the Pride's defense forced the Cougars on a three-and-out and a loss of 13 yards on its first drive, Shade found Rajotte on the perimeter with a pitch that resulted in a 41-yard score just over two minutes into the game. 

The two teams traded possessions before Springfield took advantage of a shortfield when it took over on the Cougars 49-yard line.  Three plays later, Callahan busted his way up the middle for a 12-yard score and Springfield owned a 14-0 edge with 2:59 left in the opening quarter. 

With the first half winding down, Springfield manufactured a five-play drive that lasted just 1:20 and spanned 52 yards.  Thomas barreled his way in from three yards out with 1:46 on the clock to give the Pride a 21-0 cushion heading into the break. 

Taking the opening possession of the second half, Springfield marched 75 plays in nine plays and benefitted from a Kean personal foul which extended the drive.  With 11:02 on the clock, Shade made a pair of defenders miss with some tremendous footwork in the backfield before breaking free for a 23-yard score to make it a 28-0 game. 

Callahan tacked on his second score of the game 1:28 into the final quarter on a six-yard burst and Przypek added the game's final touchdown on his first score of the year from one-yard out with 6:55 left in regulation. 

The Pride will return to Stagg Field next Saturday when it plays Union at 2 pm in its non-conference finale. 

 Fred Goode Photo