Fairfield, CT - The Club Football team kicked off their season this past Saturday night as they took on the MHC Green Wave. The Green Wave received the opening kick, then drove down the field with a solid 7 minute drive before the defense forced the QB out of the pocket, making him throw the ball away. The Pioneers took over on their own 27 yard line and the offense took the field for the first time in the 2022 campaign. The offense put together a 15 play, 73 yard drive that was capped by 6 yard touchdown run by Sophomore running back Marc-Andrew Thermitus. Both teams exchanged punts through the middle of the second quarter before the Green Wave offense threw their first of 4 interceptions on the afternoon. Freshman Outside Linebacker Teighan Jeremy stepped in front of a screen pass and took it away - receiving the SHU Turnover Belt in the process. Two plays later, the Green Wave forced a turnover and recovered a fumble, getting the ball back with several minutes left to play in the half.

After several big plays on offense, the Green Wave moved in to the red zone threatening to score for the first time all game. However, the Pioneer Defense jumped in front of another pass - this time it was Sophomore Safety Mason Mesbah who picked the ball off at the goal line. The play-making defense allowed the Pioneers to stay up 7-0 heading into the locker room at halftime.

The Pioneers opened up the second half with the ball and drove all the way to the Green Wave 45 yard line, where they were set up for 4th and 3. Thermitus received the pitch and looked to be stopped but unbelievably broke way from the gang tackle, with some help from his fellow teammates, and took off for 45 yards down the middle of the field for his second touchdown of the game. The PAT was blocked, but the Pioneers were now up 13-0. The ensuing kickoff was brought back to the 50 yard line, giving the Green Wave their best starting field position of the day. Their drive ended up in the end zone, with the quarterback scrambling out of the pocket and finding an open receiver in the corner of hte end zone. The 2 point conversion was stopped after a fumbled snap, making the score 13-6. The Pioneers got the ball back, drove the length of the field but came up just short on a 4th and 5 from inside Green Wave territory. The GW had an opportunity down field, but Mesbah broke up a pass on 3rd down and the ball floated in the air right towards Sophomore Middle Linebacker Anthony Velasco. The Pioneers 3rd INT of the day set the team up with great field position. After a few plays and a couple of penalties - the Pioneers were set up with a 2nd and 13 from the 24 yard line. Sophomore QB Thomas Hurley rolled out to his left, and the southpaw QB found Junior WR JC Marano in the back of the endzone from a touchdown! The former basketball player Marano found enough separation from the Green Wave defensive backs and the Pioneers went up 19-6. The Green Wave were trapped deep in their territory after the ensuing kickoff, starting a drive from inside their own 5 yard line, but they were able to flip the field after several big plays from their RB and QB.

The Pioneers punted on their next position, pinning the Green Wave back in their own territory. After several plays, the Pioneers secondary came up with their final interecption of the game when Sophomore Safety Thomas Pecora picked off a pass and returned it back for what would have been another touchdown. However, due to several unsportsmanlike penalties, the play was called back. The Pioneers ended up with the ball GW 43 yard line, and on 3rd and 6, Pioneer Freshman Running Back Rob Dacosta broke away from several defenders for a touchdown. A successful PAT made the score 26-6 with several minutes remaining. The score would be unchanged even after a late threat from the Green Wave down their sideline, and the Pioneers moved to 1-0 on the season.

The Club Football team plays at home again this weekend against the Connecticut State Wildcats, kickoff is at 12 on Campus Field.