Cambridge, Mass. - September 27, 2025 - The Springfield College football team picked up a 31-7 win over MIT in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Steinbrenner Stadium.

Springfield, which was receiving votes in this week's AFCA Division III national poll, improved to 2-2 overall and to 1-0 in NEWMAC play, while MIT was handed its first loss of the fall and is now 2-1, 0-1.

James Green (Gales Ferry, Conn.), Jayden Aziz (Washington, Conn.) and Desmond Perezcastaneda (Brockton, Mass.) all scored on the ground for the Pride this afternoon with the remaining offense coming from a 27-yard field goal from Ian Wernik (Plymouth, Mass.) and a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown from Tyler Paladino (Cross River, N.Y.). TJ Welch (Shrewsbury, Mass.) led all rushers with 76 yards this afternoon.

Defensively, Will Aviles (Bethlehem, Pa.), Christian Johnson-Hall (Savannah, Ga.) and Tyler Sordillo (Hull, Mass.) all totaled seven tackles, with Johnson-Hall and JT Kinsey (Savannah, Ga.) producing sacks on the day. Nick Gonzalez (Parsippany, N.J.) and Paladino both notched interceptions, while Kinsey forced a fumble in addition to having five tackles for the Pride.

Neither team was able to produce points on their first drives of the game, but Springfield was given a short field following an MIT punt midway through the opening quarter. Springfield faced fourth and six and sent Wernik out for a field goal that was ultimately missed, but the Pride was given a second chance when the Engineers jumped offsides to make it fourth and one. Welch rushed the ball on fourth and gained the first down setting up a two yard score by Aziz on the next play to make it 7-0. Another lengthy drive - this time nearly seven minutes - set up Wernik's 27-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

After MIT scored its first points of the game on a 15-yard pass by Chase Harmon, Paladino returned the ensuing kickoff 94-yards to push Springfield ahead 17-7. On the next MIT drive, a sack by Scott drew MIT back 11 yards as the Engineers were only able to make it out to their own 14-yard line setting up a punt and giving Springfield another short field to work with. The Pride took over at the 25-yard line following just an 11-yard punt and seven plays later Perezcastenda punched the ball into the endzone on a 1-yard rush to make it 24-7.

Springfield took the 24-7 lead into the halftime break. Early in the third, both teams traded fumbles on the next three drives before MIT turned it over on downs and then recovered yet another Springfield fumble. MIT was set up for third and 13 at the Springfield 20-yard line late in the third, but Gonzalez forced the turnover on the interception. Neither team, however, was able to produce points in the third.

An interception by Paladino with 7:45 to play in the game set up Springfield's final scoring drive of the day that ate up nearly six minutes of clock. A 13-yard rush and a 15-yard penalty highlighted the drive before Green found the endzone from seven yards out to account for the 31-7 final.

Springfield produced 242 total yards of offense on 61 plays and held the ball for nearly 35 minutes of action. The Pride went 4-for-12 on third downs, 3-for-3 on fourth downs and score on four of five chances in the red zone. Springfield's defense held MIT to just 145 total yards of offense for 2.5 yards per play and forced four turnovers - two fumbles and two interceptions.

Springfield will host Salve Regina University next Saturday at 12:00 pm in NEWMAC action from Stagg Field.

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