By James Parziale
The bubble of optimism surrounding the Pride football team this season – along with its playoff hopes – has burst quicker than the fleeting summer has disappeared.
The cloud of injuries and fourth-quarter collapses that hung of the Pride last season has reappeared, and darkened any hopes of recapurting a playoff birth.
First-string quarterback Bobby Seck was hurt on Oct. 16 in a loss to Delaware and is likely out for the year. The Pride blew a 12-point fourth-quarter lead that day, and last Saturday blew a 24-10 halftime lead en route to a 33-27 loss at New Hampshire before 5,203 at Cowell Stadium.
The Pride led 27-19 with 12:49 remaining in the fourth before Wildcats quarterback Ricky Santos connected with receiver Aaron Brown for a 14-yard touchdown pass to cut the make the score 27-25. The two-point conversion failed.
After the Pride went three-and-out, the Wildcats’ David Bailey returned a punt to the Pride’s 33. Six plays later, UNH’s John McCoy rushed from one yard out with 45 seconds remaining to give UNH a 33-27 lead. It was his second touchdown of the game after his 53-yard pass from Santos tied the game at 10 with 2:44 remaining in the first half.
The Pride took over at its own 9-yardline after the ensuing kick off, Anton Clarkson, who was hurt earlier, re-entered and connected with receiver Isaac Irby for 15 yards. Irby pitched to Brian Wolman who got six more yards and reached the 30-yardline. The Pride could not move the ball and the Wildcats held on for the win.
The broke a 10-all tie in the first half after two quick touchdowns in the final 1:18. Running back Terry Crenshaw scored from 20 yards out. On the kick off, UNH’s David Bailey fumbled and the Pride’s Justyn Davis recovered at the 21-yardline. Five plays later, Clarkson hit freshman receiver Charles Sullivan for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 43 seconds left in the first half.
The Wildcats had 444 yards of offense. Santos was 22 of 38 for 262 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. McCoy finished with 86 yards on 19 carries and had five catches for 81 yards. The Pride sputtered on third down conversions, going 4-for-16. Clarkson completed 22 of 44 passes for a career-high 271 yards and two touchdowns. Sullivan (85 yards) and Irby (53 yards) both tallied six receptions. Devale Ellis had five catches for 87 yards.
Freshman wideout Charles Sullivan has a team-leading 50 receptions this season following his 6-catch day at UNH on Saturday. (Staff Photo)