Corbett posts 193 all-purpose yards, scores winning 50-yard TD

Corbett totaled 193 all-purpose yards, including 130 on the ground, while adding a go-ahead 50-yard TD reception in the fourth (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

EASTON, Mass. (October 1, 2022) – Stonehill College put an exclamation point on its Northeast Conference (NEC) debut, notching a 24-20 triumph over Duquesne University before a big Family Weekend crowd, with many more watching via ESPN3's digital streaming platform via the NEC Game of the Week, on Timothy J. Coughlin, '80 Memorial Field at W.B. Mason Stadium in NEC football action this afternoon.

Junior running back Jermaine Corbett totaled 193 all-purpose yards, rushing the ball 26 times for a season-high 130 yards to go with three receptions for another 63, including a 50-yard touchdown reception on the second play of the fourth quarter that gave Stonehill the lead for good.

The Stonehill defense did the rest, holding Duquesne to just three points in the second half, including a scoreless fourth quarter, with key interceptions from fifth-year cornerback Kevin Porch and junior linebacker Anthony LaMonica down the stretch sealing the NEC debut win. 

Cmielewski posted a career-high 11 tackles, with 1.5 for loss and a forced fumble (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

Leaders

Stonehill

Corbett: 193 all-purpose, 26 carries for 130 yards, 3 receptions for 63 yards and touchdown. 

Sophomore quarterback Ashur Carraha: 183 total yards on 12-for-18 passing for 149 yards and two touchdowns, along with 34 yards on four carries with a touchdown. 

Senior linebacker Steve Cmielewski: Career-high 11 tackles (three solo), with 1.5 tackles for a loss of three yards and a forced fumble. 

Sophomore linebacker Marje Mulumba: Nine tackles (seven solo), with 2.0 tackles for a loss of 14 yards, including 1.0 sacks for a loss of nine. 

Porch: Five tackles (four solo), interception, pass breakup. 

Duquesne

Sophomore running back Billy Lucas: 19 carries for 88 yards. 

Sophomore wide receiver Abdul Janneh: Ten receptions for 57 yards and two touchdowns. 

Junior linebacker Todd Hill: Six solo tackles, with 3.0 tackles for a loss of 14 yards, including 2.0 sacks for a loss of 13, and a QB hurry. 

Postgrad Ryan Webb: Three tackles (two solo), interception. 

Carraha tossed two touchdown passes and rushed for another (PHOTO BY Andrew Katampes)

How it Happened

• Corbett collected a pass on the near sideline from Carraha on the second play of the fourth quarter and scampered down the left side for a 50-yard touchdown that gave Stonehill the lead for good.
• Stonehill's defense held Duquesne to just 88 total yards in the second half, including 17 on 12 plays in the fourth quarter, with key interceptions from Porch and LaMonica down the stretch - the latter of which sealed the win with 1:21 to play.
• After trading field goals on their first possessions of the game in the first quarter, Duquesne was able to grab the lead off an onside kick recovery following junior Brian Bruzdewicz's 24-yard field goal as Janneh collected an eight-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Darius Perrantes with 45-seconds remaining in the opening frame.
• Stonehill answered with Carraha scampering for a 30-yard touchdown run with 9:48 left in the second quarter.
• The Dukes reclaimed the lead at the half with Janneh's second touchdown of the day, this time a 26-yard toss from junior Joe Mischler just 38-seconds before halftime.
• Stonehill got a stop on the Dukes opening possession of the second half and then pulled even once again with Carraha hitting junior Will Diamantis for an eight-yard touchdown pass in the seam with 9:19 remaining in the third.
• Bruzdewicz pushed Duquesne back in front with his second field goal of the day, this from 28-yards, with 1:43 left in the third.

• Porch had one of two key fourth quarter interceptions for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY Andrew Katsampes)

  Corbett's go-ahead 50-yard touchdown catch and run on the second play of the fourth quarter is his fifth touchdown of the season – the first on a reception of his career.

Noteworthy

• Stonehill is 2-0 in games broadcast on ESPN3 after its debut win in the NEC Game of the Week, having notched a 21-17 triumph over the University of New Haven on the NCAA Division II Football Showcase on October 15, 2016.
• Stonehill is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since opening 4-0 in 2015, having now won its last six games dating back to last season – owning a three-game winning streak at W.B. Mason Stadium.
• Junior Perry Shelbred's 32-yard field goal to open the scoring on the day is his fifth of the season.

Up Next:

Stonehill (3-0, 1-0 NEC) is back in action on Saturday, October 15, when it visits defending NEC Champions Sacred Heart University after its third bye week of the season, in Fairfield, Connecticut, at 1 p.m. The Skyhawks return to W.B. Mason Stadium on Saturday, October 29, to host Merrimack College for an NEC clash at 1 p.m. Duquesne (1-4, 0-1 NEC) hosts Merrimack next Saturday at 1 p.m.

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