Big Plays Spur American International Past Football, 14-6


Senior Eric Schneider moved up to third place on the program's career sacks list with his career-best three today. (PHOTO BY Lewis Glass/SportsPix)

Easterling's two long touchdown runs, smothering defense keys Yellow Jackets

BROCKTON ENTERPRISE: "Stonehill drops second straight game"

EASTON, Mass. (October 10, 2015) – American International College held Stonehill College to just 196 total yards, forcing five turnovers, and scored on two big plays to claim a 14-6 victory over Stonehill College in Northeast-10 Conference football action at Timothy J. Coughlin '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium this afternoon.

Senior running back Maurice Easterling (Yonkers, New York) provided all the offense American International needed with 195 all-purpose yards, carrying the ball 21 times for 181 yards and two long touchdown runs in the third quarter which proved to be the difference, while adding two receptions for another 14 yards. He reeled off 145 of his 181 rushing yards in the third quarter on six carries, clicking for touchdown runs of 70 and 57 yards in the victory.

Senior Tyrone Mans (Newark, New Jersey) led an AIC defense which limited Stonehill to a season-low 196 yards, with 151 passing and 45 rushing, forced five turnovers and posted eight sacks with a team-high eight tackles (three solo) and interception. Junior Anthony Appleton (Brooklyn, New York) added six stops (three solo), including 3.0 tackles for a loss of 19 yards, with 2.0 sacks for a loss of 14 yards and a forced fumble. Junior Omari Manhertz (Bronx, New York) contributed five tackles (three solo), including 3.0 for a loss of 30 yards, with 2.0 sacks for a loss of 27.


Senior Ryan Doherty posted nine tackles, including 2.0 for loss. (PHOTO BY Lewis Glass/SportsPix)

Stonehill's defense was up to the task for 50 of 52 offensive plays by AIC on the afternoon, limiting the Yellow Jackets to 224 total yards, with 152 rushing and 72 passing, 136 of which came in the third quarter. Junior linebacker Ryan Doherty (Methuen, Massachusetts/Central Catholic) led the Skyhawks with nine tackles (five solo), including 2.0 for a loss of 11 yards, with a fumble recovery. Senior defensive lineman Eric Schneider (Ventura, California/Saint Bonaventure) added five stops (four solo), including a career-high 4.0 for a loss of 29 yards, with a career-best 3.0 sacks for a loss of 27 and a forced fumble. The three sacks give him 18.5 for his career, vaulting him into a tie for third on the program's all-time list along with George Whetstone '09.

Junior linebacker Anthony Leggio (Commack, New York/Saint Anthony's) contributed eight tackles (three solo), while sophomore safety Nick Bona (Peabody, Massachusetts) chipped in six stops (two solo) and a pass breakup.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Foltz (Mount Joy, Pennsylvania/The Hill School) completed 15-of-25 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked eight times and intercepted three. Senior wide receiver Gordon McLeod (Weymouth, Massachusetts/BC High) caught eight of those passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Easterling opened the scoring on the second play of the second half when he ripped off a 70-yard touchdown run, marking the fifth-longest rush in the ten year history of W.B. Mason Stadium. Easterling's 195 rushing yards finish as the seventh-highest single game total in W.B. Mason Stadium history as well.


Senior Gordon McLeod caught his 14th career touchdown pass this afternoon. (PHOTO BY Lewis Glass/SportsPix)

Easterling's second score came with a 57-yard run two plays after senior Mike Ford (Sammamish, Washington) intercepted Foltz at the AIC 40 yard line with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter. Stonehill followed that up by marching 46 yards in nine plays to the AIC nine yard line, but Foltz was picked off by senior Daquan Holmes (Troy, New York) at the five less than a minute into the fourth quarter.

Stonehill finally broke through with a six play, 49 yard scoring drive capped by a six yard touchdown catch by McLeod from Foltz with 3:38 remaining, that cut the gap to eight after the extra point missed. The touchdown is McLeod's fourth of the season, giving him 14 for his career – good for seventh in program history. Stonehill was able to force a fourth and 13, aided by a bad snap by AIC that resulted in a loss of eight on second down, but a roughing the kicker penalty on the punt attempt provided an automatic first down with 1:58 remaining.

A mish-mash of penalties, and an early knee gave Stonehill one last chance with a second remaining from its own 45, but a false start backed the Skyhawks up five yards and they fumbled after a continuation play down the near sideline to close out the game.

Stonehill also marched down the field on the opening drive of the game, covering 55 yards on 12 plays, before the possession stalled on the AIC seven. However, senior Steve Grzywacz's (Manchester, New Hampshire/Manchester Central) 25 yard field goal attempt was blocked by AIC senior Andrew Justice (Brooklyn, New York). The game would remain scoreless through the first half as both teams finished the first two quarters with 67 total yards.

Stonehill (4-2, 3-2 NE-10) returns to action next Saturday when it visits the University of New Haven for a key Northeast-10 clash at 1 p.m. The Skyhawks return home the following Saturday, October 24, to host rival Bentley University on Family Weekend at the College at 1 p.m. American International (3-3, 3-2 NE-10) is at Bentley next Saturday at 1p.m.

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Coach Talley postgame interview